Disability Support Services is working to improve how family carers are recognised and supported.
Family carers play an essential role in supporting disabled people every day. Support for carers needs to be fair, practical, and sustainable over time.
What we’re doing
DSS is developing a package of financial and practical support, giving more certainty and consistency for family carers.
This could include:
- a carer payment
- better respite options
- other practical supports
This work builds on what we have heard from disabled people, carers, whānau and the wider community about what is needed.
Why this work is happening
Currently, some disabled people use flexible funding to formally employ a family or whānau member to provide care.
This can be complex and difficult to manage. It does not always work well for how family care happens in real life.
We are looking at better ways to recognise and support family carers — outside of formal employment arrangements.
How this fits with other work
This work is part of a wider programme to stabilise and strengthen disability support services so the system is fair, consistent, transparent and sustainable.
It sits alongside:
- changes already made to flexible funding and needs assessments
- community consultation on improving services
- the Disability Support Services Bill
These are separate pieces of work, but all contribute to building a system that works better for disabled people and those who support them.
How the 2026 DSS consultation connects
The community consultation underway in June and July 2026 focuses on some key service areas, including improving respite options for carers to take a break.
What we hear about respite will help inform the development of the carer support package.
What happens next
DSS will work with carer groups and representatives to shape the carer support package.
No changes now
There are no changes to current supports or arrangements.
Disabled people and their carers should continue to access support as they do now.
More information
- Questions and answers about improving carer support
- Minister’s announcement about carer support package