Disability Support Services Changes in New Zealand
Understand the 2026 changes to disability assessments, support allocations, flexible funding, Carer Support, Individualised Funding and the proposed Disability Support Services legislation.
Understanding the Disability Support Services changes
Disability Support Services, often shortened to DSS, funds and coordinates support for thousands of disabled people and their whānau throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.
During 2025 and 2026, the Government introduced changes to assessments, funding allocations and flexible funding. It also introduced a Disability Support Services Bill intended to create a new legal foundation for the system.
Government agencies describe the reforms as an attempt to make support fairer, more consistent and financially sustainable. Disability organisations and community members have also raised concerns about rights, funding limits, family responsibilities, accountability and how decisions may affect people in practice.
What are Disability Support Services?
DSS is a business group within the Ministry of Social Development. It funds and coordinates disability supports through Needs Assessment and Service Coordination organisations, Enabling Good Lives sites and contracted providers.
Needs assessments
Assessments identify a disabled person’s needs, goals, circumstances and the support that may be required.
Support allocations
DSS-funded supports may be allocated following an assessment and consideration of eligibility, assessed need and available funding.
Flexible funding
Some people manage an allocated budget that can be used to purchase supports connected with their disability needs and plan.
Carer Support
Carer Support is intended to help provide respite and wellbeing breaks for unpaid carers and families.
Residential support
DSS also funds residential and community-based services for eligible disabled people with ongoing support needs.
Equipment and modifications
The wider system includes equipment, housing modifications and other environmental supports for eligible people.
What changed during 2024, 2025 and 2026?
The present reforms followed funding restrictions introduced in 2024, an independent review and consultation undertaken during 2025.
2024
Flexible-funding purchasing restrictions introduced
New purchasing rules limited how some flexible disability funding could be used. The restrictions became a major source of concern for disabled people, carers and disability organisations.
Independent review of Disability Support Services
A review considered financial pressures, system stability, assessment processes, funding allocation and the future sustainability of DSS.
Community consultation on proposed improvements
Disabled people, carers, whānau, providers and organisations gave feedback about assessments, allocations and flexible funding.
2026
New assessment and allocation processes began
Changes began applying to people entering DSS and to parts of the needs-assessment and allocation process.
2026
Flexible-funding purchasing rules removed
The previous purchasing rules, including the March 2024 restrictions, stopped applying to relevant flexible-funding purchases from 1 April 2026.
2026
Disability Support Services Bill introduced
The Government introduced legislation intended to create the first phase of a statutory framework for DSS and address paid family care.
Changes to disability needs assessments
The Government says the new approach is intended to create more consistent assessment and funding decisions across different regions.
More consistent assessments
Assessors are expected to use a more consistent process when recording needs, goals and circumstances.
Support for the whole situation
Assessments may consider the disabled person’s circumstances alongside family, whānau and carer support needs.
Funding allocation
Assessed needs do not automatically guarantee every requested support. Allocation decisions remain connected with eligibility, policy and available funding.
Urgent reassessments
An urgent reassessment may be considered when a significant change means a person cannot remain safe or meet basic needs without timely support.
Existing supports
People should ask how the new process affects their current allocation, reassessment timing and any support that has already been approved.
Written decisions
Disabled people and whānau should request clear written explanations of assessment findings, allocation decisions and available review processes.
Flexible funding, choice and control
From 1 April 2026, the purchasing rules introduced in March 2024 were removed for the main flexible-funding arrangements.
Funding must still be used in connection with the disabled person’s needs and plan, remain within the allocated budget and comply with the current operational policy.
Individualised Funding
Individualised Funding allows eligible disabled people to manage an allocated budget and arrange their own approved disability supports.
Enhanced Individualised Funding
Enhanced Individualised Funding can provide broader flexibility for eligible people to purchase supports linked with their disability needs and outcomes.
Carer Support
Carer Support remains available. The 2026 changes are intended to provide greater choice in arranging respite and wellbeing breaks.
Hosted Enabling Good Lives budgets
Some hosted Enabling Good Lives personal budgets are included in the flexible-funding changes.
Allocated budgets
People must remain within their allocated funding budgets, even though they may have more flexibility over suitable purchases.
Choice in Community Living
Choice in Community Living is not included in the removal of the flexible-funding purchasing rules and continues under separate arrangements.
Flexible does not mean unrestricted
Funding must still relate to the disabled person’s support needs and plan. Some purchases may require prior approval, and funding cannot be used for illegal activities, gambling, alcohol, tobacco or other excluded purposes.
People should check the current DSS operational policy and ask their host or NASC before making an unusual or high-cost purchase.
Who may be affected by the DSS changes?
The practical effect will depend on a person’s support type, funding arrangement, assessment status and individual circumstances.
The Disability Support Services Bill
The Disability Support Services Bill was introduced to Parliament on 18 May 2026. The Government describes it as the first phase of creating a legal foundation for DSS.
The Bill also responds to legal issues involving paid family care and the circumstances in which a disabled person employs a family member to provide support.
A legal foundation for DSS
The Bill proposes statutory authority for the administration and funding of Disability Support Services.
Paid family care
The legislation addresses arrangements where a disabled person employs a family member to provide funded support.
Eligibility and administration
The framework may influence how eligibility, support and administrative decisions are legally structured.
Future legislative phases
The Government has indicated that later work may address safeguarding, information gathering, complaints and appeals.
Rights and accountability
Disability advocates are asking whether the framework provides sufficiently strong rights, transparency and independent review protections.
Community participation
A major question is how disabled people, carers and whānau will influence future regulations and implementation.
Government explanations and disability-community concerns
A credible community resource must distinguish between the Government’s stated goals and concerns being raised by disabled people and organisations.
Government’s stated goals
- Create fairer and more consistent assessments.
- Give people greater choice over flexible funding.
- Improve certainty about allocated budgets.
- Recognise carers and respite needs during assessments.
- Stabilise DSS and improve financial sustainability.
- Create a clear legislative foundation for services.
Concerns raised within the community
- Whether financial sustainability may be prioritised over individual rights and assessed needs.
- Whether families will be expected to provide more unpaid care when formal support is unavailable.
- Whether assessment consistency could become rigid standardisation that overlooks individual circumstances.
- Whether disabled people will have effective appeal and complaint rights.
- Whether the legislative process has allowed enough time for genuine community participation.
- Whether funding will keep pace with population growth, inflation, workforce costs and unmet need.
Community experience must be monitored
A reform can promise greater choice while still creating difficulty if funding is inadequate, assessments are delayed or support is unavailable. Outcomes should be measured through people’s safety, independence, wellbeing and participation—not only through administrative consistency or budget control.
What the changes could mean for carers and whānau
Carers and whānau often provide extensive daily support. Their wellbeing affects the wellbeing and safety of the disabled person they support.
Respite flexibility
More flexible use of Carer Support may help families arrange breaks that better suit their actual circumstances.
Carer needs in assessments
Families should explain clearly how caring responsibilities affect health, employment, sleep, finances and family life.
Paid family care
Families employing relatives should seek clear information about employment responsibilities, payment arrangements and how proposed legislation may affect them.
Unpaid care must not be assumed
The presence of family members does not mean unlimited unpaid care is available, safe or sustainable.
Changes in family circumstances
Ageing carers, illness, employment changes, relationship breakdown and burnout may materially change the support available within a household.
Emergency planning
Families should discuss what will happen if the main carer becomes unavailable or can no longer provide the same level of support.
Questions to ask during a DSS assessment or reassessment
Asking for clear explanations can help people understand how a decision was reached and what options remain available.
What information is being considered?
Ask what evidence, reports, personal goals and daily support needs are included in the assessment.
How are family and carer circumstances recorded?
Confirm that the availability, health and sustainability of unpaid support have been described accurately.
How was the allocation decided?
Ask how assessed needs were converted into funded supports or an allocated budget.
Will my existing support change?
Request clear information about any proposed reduction, transition period or change to an existing arrangement.
What can flexible funding be used for?
Ask for the current operational guidance and whether prior approval is needed for a proposed purchase.
What happens if my needs increase?
Ask how to request a reassessment and what circumstances may qualify as urgent.
How can I challenge a decision?
Request written information about reviews, complaints and any available escalation process.
Can I receive the decision in an accessible format?
Ask for plain language, Easy Read, NZSL, large print or another communication format when required.
What to do when you disagree with a DSS decision
The correct pathway may depend on whether the concern involves a NASC, funding host, contracted provider, service quality or a government policy decision.
Ask for the decision in writing
Request the reasons, policy used, information considered and details of any review or complaint process.
Correct inaccurate information
Identify missing or incorrect information and provide supporting evidence where possible.
Contact the relevant organisation
Begin with the NASC, funding host, provider or DSS contact responsible for the decision or service.
Use an advocate
A trusted advocate, family member or disability organisation may help explain the issue and communicate your concerns.
Health and Disability Commissioner
The Commissioner may be relevant when a concern involves rights under the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights.
Keep records
Save assessment documents, emails, letters, dates, names and notes from important conversations.
This page is general information
It does not replace individual legal, advocacy, clinical or financial advice. Formal deadlines may apply to some complaints, reviews or legal processes.
Why Disability Support Services are an election issue
The next government will make decisions about DSS funding, legislation, workforce capacity, assessments, family care, complaints and future implementation of Enabling Good Lives.
Every political party should explain what it will protect, change, fund and measure.
Official information and disability-community commentary
Policies and guidance can change. Check the publication date and original source before relying on older information.
Disability Support Services
Official DSS information about assessments, allocations, flexible funding, family carers and service improvements.
Visit Disability Support ServicesFlexible funding from 1 April 2026
Official guidance explaining the removal of purchasing rules and the current use of flexible funding.
Read the flexible-funding guidanceDisability Support Services Bill
Official information and factsheets about the proposed legislative framework.
Read the official Bill informationNew Zealand Parliament
Check the official Bill, parliamentary documents and its current progress through Parliament.
View the Disability Support Services BillCCS Disability Action
Read disability-community analysis and concerns about DSS reforms and proposed legislation.
Read CCS Disability Action commentaryDisabled Persons Assembly NZ
Find disability-rights submissions, media statements and advocacy concerning DSS and government policy.
Visit Disabled Persons Assembly NZHealth and Disability Commissioner
Learn about rights under the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights and making a complaint.
Visit the Health and Disability CommissionerOur Community Speaks
Read community opinions and lived experiences concerning disability support, government decisions and public policy.
Read community opinionsHow have the DSS changes affected you?
Your experience can help document the real impact
Inclusive World NZ invites disabled people, carers, parents, whānau, advocates and organisations to share experiences of assessments, reassessments, flexible funding, Carer Support, paid family care and service access.
Contributions may be published using a full name, first name, organisation name or anonymously.
Related disability election resources
This guide is part of Inclusive World NZ’s independent disability and 2026 election project.
Disability support decisions affect real lives
Funding, rights and accountability must remain visible
Return to this page as the reforms and legislation develop. Information will need to be updated when guidance changes, parliamentary decisions are made or new community evidence becomes available.
Page information reviewed against sources available in July 2026. Policies and legislation may change.
