What funding might you be eligible for?
Disability support funding in New Zealand is provided through several different systems, depending on the person’s age, disability, cause of disability, and support needs. The overall aim is to help disabled people live independently, participate in their communities, and have choice and control over how support is delivered.
Disability Support Services (DSS)
Disability Support Services, administered by the Government, funds long-term supports for eligible disabled people. Access is generally through a Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC) organisation or an Enabling Good Lives (EGL) site (Waikato, Manawatu, Christchurch).
The main funding options include:
| Funding Option | Description | Typical Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Individualised Funding (IF) | Direct funding that allows people to organise and purchase their own disability supports. | Employing support workers, personal care, household management, respite, community participation. |
| Enhanced Individualised Funding (EIF) – Bay of Plenty only | Similar to IF but offers greater flexibility over how supports are organised. | Broader personalised supports based on an approved support plan. |
| Carer Support | Allocated respite funding that allows unpaid family carers to take a break from their caring role. | Paying replacement carers or arranging alternative respite activities. |
| Hosted Enabling Good Lives (EGL) Personal Budgets (Waikato, Manawatu, Christchurch only) | Individual budgets managed through an approved host organisation following EGL principles. | Flexible disability supports tailored to personal goals. |
| Choice in Community Living (CiCL) | A personalised alternative to residential care for people with high support needs. | Independent living with individually designed support arrangements outside of the family home. |
| Contracted Disability Support Services | Traditional services delivered by approved providers. | Home support, residential services, supported living, day programmes, behaviour support and respite. |
ACC Funding
People whose disability results from an accident may receive funding through the Accident Compensation system rather than Disability Support Services.
ACC may fund:
- attendant care
- home help
- equipment
- home modifications
- transport assistance
- rehabilitation services
- supported independent living.
Funding is based on rehabilitation needs arising from injury.
Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora)
Health New Zealand may fund health services that are disability related, including:
- home and community support
- home care nursing/district nursing – e.g. wound support, check-in visits
- rehabilitation
- palliative care
- equipment and modifications
These services are generally accessed through health professionals such as GP’s or specialists.
Long term chronic health supports may be available through an assessment with a long term supports – chronic health conditions NASC.
Family Options – Children 0-16 years
For children up to the age of 16 years, this is the Family Options service for children aged 0-16 years within Auckland, Counties Manukau, Northland and Waitemata Districts.
Referrals can be made to the Family Options Needs Assessment & Service Coordination (NASC) service via the following:
- e-Referral
- email: familyoptionsnasc@adhb.govt.nz – if e-Referral is not available (a Referral Form must be completed)
If supports are required for less than 6 months, in circumstances where Carer Support does not provide sufficient support, please contact the team to discuss.
Long Term Support – Chronic Health Conditions (LTS-CHC) – 16-64 years old
Long Term Support Chronic Health Conditions are services funded by Te Whatu Ora, Health NZ for people who have disabilities related to a health condition that would not be eligible for any other funding stream. In most areas this is assessed by the Health of Older Persons NASC services.
In Auckland, there are 3 regional NASCs for Health of older people who also look after LTS-CHC. The regions are Counties, Auckland and Waitemata. For contact details for Auckland health NASCs refer to NZNASCA.
Ministry of Social Development (MSD)
MSD provides income assistance rather than disability support funding.
Examples include:
- Supported Living Payment
- Disability Allowance
- Temporary Additional Support
- Child Disability Allowance
- accommodation assistance.
These payments help with living costs and disability-related expenses rather than purchasing disability support services.
Ministry of Education (MOE)
For children and young people, the Ministry of Education funds educational supports such as:
- teacher aide hours
- communication services
- behaviour support
- specialist education services
- Ongoing Resourcing Scheme (ORS)
- Very High Needs funding.
These supports are designed to enable participation in education rather than provide personal care at home.