Disability · New Zealand

Disability support pathways

Disability support in New Zealand usually starts with an assessment, then branches into health-funded supports, Work and Income payments and local services. The right first step depends on whether you need equipment, daily living help, transport or income.

Official New Zealand sources
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Health NZ: needs assessment Open carers hub

Needs assessment

Most disability supports require a needs assessment through NASC. This is the gateway for equipment, home help, respite and many DSS-funded services.

Needs Assessment Service

Who: People with health conditions or disabilities affecting daily living, safety or independence.
Why it matters: Determines what funded supports you may receive at home, in the community or in residential care.
Next step: Ask your GP, hospital team or NASC coordinator to start an assessment.

Health NZ: needs assessment

ACC covers supports for injury-related disability. Health and MSD pathways cover most other long-term needs.
An assessment looks at what you need, not just your diagnosis.

Disability Support Services pathways

Disability Support Services (within MSD) funds many supports after assessment. This is separate from main benefit payments.

Disability Support Services overview

Who: People with long-term disabilities who need funded support after assessment.
Why it matters: Main pathway for home help, respite, community participation supports and coordination after NASC assessment.
Next step: Follow your NASC plan and ask what is funded versus what you arrange privately.

Disability Support Services

Equipment and home modifications

Equipment, hearing aids, home rails and vehicle modifications may be funded after an occupational therapist assessment.

Equipment and modifications

Who: People whose disability creates an essential need for equipment or home changes.
Why it matters: Can fund mobility aids, communication equipment and modifications that make home life safer.
Next step: Ask for an Equipment and Modification Services (EMS) assessment through your NASC or GP pathway.

DSS: equipment and modifications

Transport help

Transport support may come from vehicle modifications, Total Mobility or other local schemes. Each has different eligibility.

Vehicle modifications

Who: Drivers or passengers with long-term disabilities not covered by ACC.
Why it matters: May fund hand controls, wheelchair hoists, ramps and other essential vehicle changes after assessment.
Next step: See an occupational therapist who is a credentialed vehicle EMS assessor.

DSS: vehicle modifications

Total Mobility is a separate regional scheme for subsidised taxi and door-to-door trips when you cannot use ordinary public transport safely.
Public transport concessions are covered in the public transport discounts guide.

Support for carers

Carers may access respite funding and other help so they can take a break. This is about supporting the carer, not replacing the person's disability supports.

Carer Support

Who: Full-time carers of someone with assessed high support needs.
Why it matters: Helps pay for alternative care so a carer can have time away from caring duties.
Next step: Ask your NASC coordinator or GP how Carer Support fits your care plan.

DSS: Carer Support

Supported Living Payment and Disability Allowance

Work and Income may provide ongoing income (SLP) or help with regular disability costs (Disability Allowance). These are separate from DSS-funded supports.

Supported Living Payment

Who: People with a health condition or disability that severely limits their ability to work.
Why it matters: A main income payment when you cannot support yourself through work on an ongoing basis.
Next step: Check medical eligibility and how SLP interacts with part-time work.

Work and Income: Supported Living Payment

Disability Allowance

Who: People with regular ongoing disability costs who meet income and asset rules.
Why it matters: Helps with costs such as travel to treatment, extra power, or other disability-related expenses not fully covered elsewhere.
Next step: List your regular disability costs and check whether another payment already covers them.

Work and Income: Disability Allowance

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Official sources used for this guide

Sources reviewed 2026-09-10. No guessed payment amounts.