Engaging government and community supports

Introduction

A central part of planning a home is figuring out how to make it independently sustainable for the long term. This means ensuring that you can afford to live and thrive with the supports, resources and income that are available to you.  

Understanding what supports are available, and what you are eligible for, is often a vital step in creating a sustainable living situation. This chapter covers funded supports such as accommodation, disability services, transport, and accessibility, and unfunded options that exist within the community.

Accessing government supports

When looking into government supports, your first step is to identify what funding is available and then, of those, which might you be eligible for.

One reality often misunderstood is that just because you are eligible for supports does not mean you will get them. And if you do receive that support, you may not get the quantity of support you were seeking.  

Because of this, it is important not to make big decisions before you have spoken to the organisations responsible for allocating these supports. It is also worthwhile to be well-informed about the supports available (and the criteria for eligibility) before you initiate a conversation with the provider about your options.  

Finding supports that match your life

Not every type of support that is available will align with the living situation you are planning for. Knowing what is out there, and evaluating these against your needs and priorities, is key to accessing the support that is right for you.

Different types of funded support

There is a wide range of funded supports available depending on various funding criteria. The most common are from the Government, but there are also some funded community supports that may be relevant depending on your specific situation.  

There is no one place to see all the available supports listed, so it is important to ask questions wherever possible and undertake your own research.  

The list below gives an overview of some of the common funded options. You should evaluate each of these opportunities based on your unique situation and decide with your support team which ones to investigate further.  

Disability supports

Disability supports are for your disability-related needs, such as personal care or help around the house. Depending on the nature of your disability, you may be eligible to access support from different government departments.

If you are unsure which, if any, supports you are eligible for, it is best to talk with your health professionals or review the eligibility criteria of the providers.

Disability support providers include:

• Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) – for people who have acquired their disability through an accident. ACC can refer eligible people to a wide range of funded services.  

• Needs Assessment Service Coordination (NASC) – for people who have a disability that meets the Government’s criteria and has not been acquired through an accident.  
  
  Each region has a single organisation responsible for completing needs assessments. There are many services that the NASC can allocate based on your unique needs and eligibility, including:
  • Individualised Funding
  • Supported Independent Living
  • Residential Services
  • Choice in Community Living (region-specific)
  • Enabling Good Lives (region-specific)
  
  These services sit within the Disability Support Services (DSS) business group of the Ministry of Social Development (MSD).  
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• Aged Care services – usually for people over the age of 65 who are experiencing deterioration of independence in relation to ageing. Access to these services is usually through the health system (most often your GP) and a NASC process that is facilitated by the regional health services.  

• Health NZ - Te Whatu Ora – there are some disability supports available through the public health system. A conversation with your doctor or specialist services is the best way to identify if there are other supports that might help you.  

Income supports

Income supports are government-supported benefits and payments, accessed via Work and Income (WINZ). There are many different supports offered by WINZ, including: Supported Living Payment, Job Seekers Benefit, Accommodation Supplement, Disability Allowance and Temporary Additional Support.  

It is important to note that eligibility for these supports is at the discretion of WINZ and their policies can change. The WINZ website is the best place to start if you are unsure what income supports you may be eligible for.

Housing modifications, mobility and communication equipment

Depending on the nature of your disability, these supports can be accessed in different ways and provided with varying restrictions. The best initial step is to talk with your GP, NASC or ACC to ask for a referral for the assessment that you need.  

These supports are primarily contracted to Accessable, Enable, and TalkLink (accessible communication technology only), and provided through the public health system.

Social housing

Social housing is a type of government support that provides access to accommodation at a reduced rental rate.  

The most common pathway into social housing is through Kāinga Ora, although occasionally you can go directly to a Community Housing Provider.  

Eligibility criteria for social housing is complex, and waiting lists tend to be long, so it is important to start early if you want to pursue this option.  

Transport assistance  

Total Mobility is a national scheme that provides reduced costs for public transport and taxis for people with disabilities who cannot access public transport independently. Each region has contracted assessors that you can contact directly to get an assessment.  

Mobility Parking Permits allow the user to park in accessible car parks around the country. You can apply for one of these through CCS Disability Action if you meet their criteria.  

Community grants for disability

There are a number of smaller grants that are specifically targeted to supporting people with disabilities. Each has its own eligibility criteria and application process. Some community grants include:

• Wilson Home Trust

• Jubilee Trust

• Lottery Individuals with Disabilities

• getProgramme (Cerebral Palsy Society).

Non-funded support in the community

In addition to the funded support options, there are many services that exist within the community that can be useful in building a sustainable plan for your new living situation.  

Some of these services will incur costs; however, others will be freely available (e.g. a community house/centre, or Citizens Advice Bureau).

Community organisations

There is a wide range of services and supports available within the community, although options can vary significantly between regions. Services that might be worth investigating in your local area include:

• local community house/centre

• Citizens Advice Bureau

• i-Site information centres

• local budgeting services.

Legal advice

If you are seeking legal advice in relation to your disability, it is important to find someone who understands law in the context of disability. Check that the person has the depth of knowledge and experience you need before you commit to using their services.  

If you are looking for a place to start with legal advice, it can be helpful to talk with:  

• Citizens Advice Bureau  

• Aotearoa Disability Law.

While they may not be able to provide full support with your legal issue, they are often a good initial step.  

Advocacy services

While some advocacy services exist in Aotearoa New Zealand, the options are limited. Services can vary greatly in cost, scope and areas of expertise, so it is important to be clear on your expectations and plan ahead as high demand often results in long waiting times.  

Getting prepared with a photo ID

Many services and supports will require a photo ID. If you do not have a current form of photo identification and are over 18 years of age, it might be beneficial to apply for a Kiwi Access Card (18+ card) before you need to apply for services or supports.

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Where to start

Create an action plan

There are often many steps to getting the right funding or services in place to support your new living situation. A good place to start is to create an action plan that will guide you through the process, from the initial research stages to applications and assessments.

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Next steps

Use the ‘Create an action plan (engaging supports)’ worksheet to create an action plan for how you and your support team will navigate this process.