Enabling Good Lives site information

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. For more information go to Timeline for changes.

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.

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?

There are no plans to change eligibility criteria for DSS.

You can find the DSS definition of eligibility here.

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 their 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.

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 is the assessment process 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.

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.

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 still be covered?

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.

What will be the process and timeframe for pre-approval (for example, overseas travel)?

This policy is still being developed.

DSS will provide more information about preapproval time frames when it is available.

Would we have to undertake a new assessment if we individually choose to shift from EGL back to the NASC?

This is a discussion you will need to have with the NASC.