Disability Funding Information
March 2024
Carer Support, Individualised Funding, Personal Budgets, IF Respite
Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People announced changes to disability funding that affects many disabled people and family carers.
Summary of changes
- If you use Carer Support, Individualised Funding, Personal Budgets, or IF Respite to pay for relief care / a support worker, this continues unchanged.
- You can still pay someone in the same household and/or a family member who is not the primary carer, using Carer Support.
- If you have used funding to buy items and/or services such as devices, beauty or therapeutic treatments, support animals, entertainment and activity costs or wellbeing subscriptions, accommodation, food, or domestic or international travel, this spending is no longer possible.
- If you have quotes for expenses which are no longer within the Purchasing Rules, and were preparing a claim for the 90 days before the policy change took effect on 18 March 2024, submit these claims and they will be honoured up until 29 March 2024. These expenses must be claimed by 12 April 2024.
- If your funding comes via Health NZ (your DHB) flexible spending with Carer Support is not affected at this stage.
Information from Whaikaha
Whaikaha has compiled questions and answers to help navigate the Purchasing Rules and Equipment Modification Services (EMS) changes introduced on 18 March 2024.
What changes are being made to Flexible Funding?
The Purchasing Rules apply to Individualised Funding, Enhanced Individualised Funding, Choice in Community Living, Personal Budgets and Carer Support. Changes to what this funding can be used for has specific emphasis on it being for the benefit of the disabled person. In addition, Whaikaha have introduced a prioritisation approach to the way they fund equipment and modification services.
Read the full update from Whaikaha here:
For further information
If you have any further questions, the first place to go is your Host or to your EGL team. They will know your specific situation and are there to advise and coach you. They can assist you to look at your plan and whether the support and funding you are choosing fits within this and the purchasing rules.
A full list of IF Hosts can be found here:
https://www.whaikaha.govt.nz/assessments-and-funding/individualised-funding
Contact Whaikaha
For any queries or questions: contact@whaikaha.govt.nz
To provide feedback or make a complaint, click here or email complaints@whaikaha.govt.nz
You can also request a phone call, or a meeting with a New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) interpreter by email.
New Zealand Relay Service
New Zealand Relay is a telecommunications service for people who are Deaf, Deaf-blind, experiencing hearing loss or have a speech condition. All New Zealand Relay calls are strictly private so your information is safe and secure. Find the best Relay Service for you here https://www.nzrelay.co.nz/index
Stay informed day to day through disability networks and at www.facebook.com/carersnz
Support Carers NZ by adding your voice
Carers NZ advocates on behalf of carers. We believe carers are burning out and in crisis and lack a clear place in government representation. We believe they deserve meaningful recognition, an equitable and adequately resourced respite system, investment in their physical and mental wellbeing, and financial security. In our view, choosing to care should not be a choice to live in poverty. Sign our Petition!
https://petitions.parliament.nz/390fec4e-437c-45cd-a182-08db3f91e80e
