FAQ's

Please be assured all Disability Support Services that you have currently allocated will continue throughout this crisis.

Ministry of Health-funded disability support services are available to people aged 0-65 years who have a physical, intellectual or sensory disability (or a combination of these) which is likely to continue for at least 6 months and limits their ability to function independently, to the extent that ongoing support is required.

The Ministry will also fund disability support services for people with:

• some neurological conditions that result in permanent disabilities
• some developmental disabilities in children and young people, such as autism
• physical, intellectual or sensory disability that co-exists with a health condition and/or injury.

The Ministry of Health generally does not fund disability support services for people with:

• Personal health conditions, such as diabetes or asthma
• Mental health and alcohol and other drug conditions such as schizophrenia, severe depression or long-term addiction to alcohol and drugs
• Conditions associated with aging such as Alzheimer's disease
• Impairments, such as paraplegia and brain injury, causes by accident or injury

If you have an impairment caused by accident or injury contact ACC (ACC serious injury and disability website - https://disability.acc.co.nz/)

If you require support services for older people, including those with disability aged 65 years and over contact your local district health board.

If you have mental health and/or alcohol and other drugs conditions and require support services contact your local district health board.

The Ministry of Health funds disability support services through Disability Support Services (DSS) for people with a physical, intellectual or sensory disability (or a combination of these) that is likely to continue for a minimum of six months and result in a reduction of independent function to the extent that ongoing support is required.

The Ministry of Health funds services for disabled people under the age of 65 years, with the exception of equipment and modification services which it funds for all age groups.  Disability support services for people aged 65 years and over, or those with mental health needs, are funded by District Health Boards.

Ministry of Health funded disability support services are accessed through one of the 16 needs assessment service coordination organisations operating throughout New Zealand. These organisations are contracted by the Ministry of Health to work with disabled people and their families/whānau to develop an outcome plan and coordinate the provision of services and supports intended to contribute to the achievement of each person’s identified goals.

The vision for the Enabling Good Lives approach is:

In the future, disabled people and their families will have greater choice and control over their lives and supports, and make more use of natural and universally available supports.

The Enabling Good Lives demonstrations are currently operating in Christchurch and in the Waikato.  Learn more about the Christchurch EGL’s demonstration here: http://www.enablinggoodlives.co.nz/about-egl/

Individualised Funding is a mechanism that enables persons with a disability to directly manage their disability supports. IF is available for eligible people who have either a home and community support services or a respite allocation. Learn more about Individualised Funding here: http://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/services-and-support/disability-services/types-disability-support/individualised-funding 

If you wish to make a complaint about the service you have received at Life Links please contact us on our free phone 0800 866 877. The LifeLinks complaints process is outlined here. Alternatively you can contact the Health and Disability Commissioner on free phone 0800 11 22 33 or online at www.hdc.org.nz; or the Health and Disability Advocacy Service on free phone 0800 555 050 or email advocacy@hdc.org.nz; or contact the Ministry of Health’s Disability Support Services on dsscomplaints@moh.govt.nz or call free on 0800 373 664 press 2.

The Ministry of Health posts the latest information about the transformation of the New Zealand disability system here: http://www.enablinggoodlives.co.nz/system-transformation/transformation-papers/system-transformation-updates/frequently-asked-questions/