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Disability Support Services (DSS) is changing how supports are assessed and allocated for disabled people, families, whānau and carers. These were announced in September 2025 by the Minister for Disability Issues. The changes are informed by what the disability community told the Government in 2025, and by the Independent Review in 2024. The first stage of these changes begin this week, with further changes in April.
From this week, all NASC organisations and Enabling Good Lives sites across Aotearoa will use the same approach to assess needs and allocate supports.
Our NASC teams work in Otago and Southland, Hutt Valley, Taranaki, Whanganui and the Hutt Valley.
This standardised process aims to ensure fairness and consistency, regardless of where you live.
These changes will affect you if:
Before your assessment, you will receive clear information about the process and what to expect.
During the assessment, we will consider not only your needs, but potentially the needs of families, whānau, and carers where their support is essential to your wellbeing.
After your assessment, you will receive a My DSS Funding Plan that focuses on your needs and explains the purpose of your funding and supports. This plan will help you understand and manage how you use your allocated supports.
Reassessments will occur as scheduled with our team. In some other areas of the country, they are paused.
Early reassessments will only be completed where there is a significant change in disability-related need.
Please contact our team on 0800 758 700 if you have a query.
Further changes are planned by the government in April 2026; These will affect people who receive flexible funding. These changes are designed to provide greater choice and control over how flexible funding is used. More information about the April changes will be available from mid-March.
If you have questions about how these changes may affect you, or if you need an urgent reassessment, please contact your Community Facilitator at Your Way | Kia Roha. We’re here to support you through these transitions.
If you want to be kept up-to-date with changes, please refer to the DSS website for the most recent updates.
