Enabling Good Lives site information

Questions and answers for Enabling Good Lives (EGL) sites.

Will Enabling Good Lives sites adopt the changes to assessments, allocations and flexible funding?

In September, the Government announced upcoming changes to Disability Support Services assessments, allocations, and flexible funding only applied to people who receive supports from a Needs Assessment Coordination Service (NASC).

They did not immediately include people receiving supports through an Enabling Good Lives site.

In keeping with community leadership, Regional Leadership Groups have worked with their communities to make informed decisions on what any changes could mean for them.

This included whether to:

adopt the changes which includes removal of the purchase rules and guidelines, or
retain the status quo.

Each community was asked to advise on the option that the local site will take.

In October, the Regional Leadership Groups supporting Mana Whaikaha and EGL Christchurch informed DSS of their communities’ decisions to adopt the new changes to assessment, allocation and flexible funding.

The Regional Leadership Group in Waikato have given us an initial indication that they are likely to also adopt the changes. They are working with their communities to confirm their final decision.

I get my flexible funding from an EGL site who will adopt the changes - what does that mean for me?

Mana Whaikaha and EGL Christchurch will adopt the new changes to assessments, allocations and flexible funding. The Regional Leadership Group in Waikato have given us an initial indication that they are also likely to also adopt the changes.

Some changes will be required. These changes will be made whilst maintaining the integrity of the EGL approach, vision and principles. Principles - Enabling Good Lives external.

If you are supported through one of these EGL sites you can still:   

Work with a connector. Connectors are not changing the way in which they engage with people.

Share your story in the way that works for you

Develop a good life plan

Have access to a personal budget with choice and support on how to manage this

Have a range of options for the supports and services you want to use

Connect with your Regional Leadership Group in the same way you currently do.

Changing to the new approach will mean:

The connector may ask specific questions about the support needs and wellbeing of whānau.
The EGL teams will use a new funding tool.
You will have a new budget, based on previous spend, on 1 April 2026, with the Purchasing Rules removed.

What impact do these changes have on realising the EGL vision and principles?

The changes ensure more choice and control for disabled people and their families across New Zealand.

What is the timeline for these changes for EGL sites?

The EGL sites will adopt these changes at the same time as NASCs. If you are new to the system, the changes will apply from 1 February 2026.

For people who already receive DSS funded supports, the new flexible funding budgets will be allocated on 1 April 2026, which will be based on previous spending. These budgets can be used more flexibly, as the purchasing rules will be removed.

DSS are still working to understand the specific details of what each person’s budget will look like. Additional sources of funding that are pooled into EGL personal budgets will still be available.

More information on what the new change will mean is available at Changes to assessments and allocations, and flexible funding | Disability Support Services external.

What is the plan for people who are self-connecting?

Disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori and whānau can continue to ‘self connect’. The funding plan will need to be agreed with the EGL team, and spending aligned to the purposes identified in that plan.

Who will do the planning when there is a connector and a Host involved?

Connectors will continue to be responsible for developing a personal plan with disabled people. Hosts will not be responsible for planning activities. More information on the role of hosts will be made available on the DSS website.

How will the new assessment tool work?

The new funding tool is still being developed. The EGL principles and lessons from the EGL sites are being considered as part of its design.

The information gathering will continue using the same approach currently in place in the Enabling Good Lives sites. You can continue to tell your story in a way that works for you.

DSS will provide more information about the tool when it is available.

When and how will these changes be evaluated?

Once in place, DSS will evaluate and monitor the changes to inform future improvements.

Is eligibility to access DSS funding changing?

No. Eligibility for disability support services is not part of this change programme.

What mechanisms will ensure people’s voices are heard in how feedback is used to shape future allocations?

The assessment, reassessment and review processes will continue to be person centred. This includes ongoing conversations with connectors who will work with the disabled person, their family, whānau and carers to prioritise how to allocate and use funding to meet the needs, goals, aspirations and outcomes.

Will people still be able to access other funding approaches as part of a wider continuum of choice?

A range of supports and services will continue to be offered by the Enabling Good Lives teams.

People do not have to use flexible funding - it is one of the range of options.

How will the pooled funding model in the Enabling Good Lives sites be protected in a national system?

The new funding tool will be adjusted for EGL sites. This is to ensure that additional pools of funding, only available in Enabling Good Lives personal budgets, is included.

How will community leadership and self-determination be protected as new rules and tools are introduced?

The Enabling Good Lives site Directors continue to engage regularly with the Regional Leadership Groups. The new approach ensures more choice and control for disabled people and their families.

Will we still be able to be direct funded, or will everyone be required to go through a host?

Direct funding will remain as an option for whānau supported through EGL Waikato and Mana Whaikaha.

If there are concerns about budget management that cannot be mitigated for an individual, different options (including hosted funding) will be explored.

How will tools developed by the community such as the ‘Supported Self Assessment’ tool be used in future?

The ‘Supported Self Assessment’ used in Enabling Good Lives Waikato may be replaced by the new process for gathering information. For example, additional questions may be added to inform the new funding tool.

The way your connector engages with you to identify this information will continue to be led by disabled people and their whānau.

Will disabled people receive their allocation as a lump sum rather than fortnightly payments?

Frequency of payments will continue to be agreed between the disabled person and EGL site. Most direct funding payments are made (and will continue to be made) fortnightly.

Under the new system would the assessment process be the same for all disabilities or is there a variation dependent on disabilities?

There is one process, but connectors will continue to tailor their approach to the individual and their family.

Where can I find more information?

DSS will continue to update its website on Changes to assessments and allocations, and flexible funding | Disability Support Services. external

How will the tier management and monitoring system work?

The tier system is still being developed.

In the EGL sites, it is expected that Connectors will continue to play a key role in supporting disabled people to manage their flexible funding budgets. This will include ensuring funding is used in accordance with the agreed plan, and that it lasts for the whole funding year.

DSS will provide more information about the tier system when it is available.

From a Māori cultural perspective this has been reduced. What about engaging with Poukai, Kingitanga, etc?

These changes follow on from very clear feedback external received from the 2025 Community consultation, with specific input sought from Māori.

Will carer wages remain the same, rise or fall?

Relationships between employers and employees are unaffected by these changes; the disabled person and / or their agent will continue to be responsible for agreeing wages with their employee(s).

As part of the support in planning, it is expected there will continue to be conversations about ensuring that costs are reasonable and appropriate for the services being provided.

Will employee costs and travel costs be covered if we move to the new tool?

You will get more choice and control about how you spend your flexible funding. You will be able to choose how you prioritise spending your flexible funding to address barriers linked to your disability.

What are standardised packages of support?

These are a set of service ‘packages’ that fit within the funding range identified for each person. Where appropriate, the EGL site will offer these, for disabled people and whānau to consider. Flexible funding (including Direct Funded EGL Personal Budgets) will continue to be included in the range of options available to eligible whānau.