DSS Bill Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the DSS Bill (the Bill)?

The Bill builds on what disabled people, families, whānau, and carers have told us, and work already done to stabilise DSS.

DSS can be difficult to navigate. This Bill will improve that.

The Bill does three things:

• Creates a clear legal foundation for DSS.

• Sets out what it means when a disabled person employs someone, including a paid family member, to provide care.

• Responds to the Supreme Court’s decision last December regarding paid family care.

The Bill establishes the foundations for a stronger, more transparent and consistent framework for DSS policies and funding. This will make it easier for people to understand how DSS works.

Future decisions will have greater parliamentary oversight than is currently the case.

The Bill is intended to reduce the risk of disruption and unexpected cost increases that could impact support for disabled people.

Court cases have highlighted issues with employment and family carers in DSS. The Bill makes it clear that the Crown is not and was never intended to be the employer of family carers.

DSS is also developing a package of financial and practical support, which will better recognise and support family carers.

Where do I find information about the progress of the Bill through Parliament?

In May 2026, the Government introduced the Bill to Parliament.

Information about the progress of the Bill through Parliament is available on the New Zealand Parliament website.  

•    Disability Support Services Bill external 

What do disabled people, families and whānau who receive DSS funded services and supports need to know?

People will continue to access support as they currently do.

There are no changes to:

• current supports for disabled people, whānau and carers

• current funding allocations

• who can get disability support services.

The Bill reflects the way that DSS already works. 

Current care and employment arrangements remain in place. This includes where families are being paid for the care they provide.

The Bill does not introduce income or asset testing where it is not currently used, and there are no plans to expand its use.

The Bill will provide a more transparent and consistent framework for future policies and funding.

What does the Bill change for families and whānau of disabled people?

The Bill reflects the way that DSS already works. The Bill isn’t intended to put new obligations on families. It doesn’t create additional expectations that families or carers will provide more support.

DSS recognises that family, whānau and carers often play a critically important role in the support of disabled people.

DSS will continue to recognise that families support each other where they can. There is a greater need for government to provide support where families are unavailable or unable to meet needs. DSS will also continue to recognise the will and preferences of disabled people when allocating supports. 

The Bill does not mean a disabled person has to use every other type of support before they can get help from DSS.

Is DSS doing anything else to recognise carers?

DSS already takes into account the support a disabled person has around them and it is also important that we understand the impact on carers.

The new assessment and allocation process looks at both the needs of the disabled person and the impact on the carers who support them.

More here: Changes to Disability support services - Information for carers | Disability Support Services

DSS is also developing a package of financial and other support, giving more certainty and consistency for family carers. The carer support package will look at better ways to support family carers than formal employment arrangements.

More here: Improving support for family carers | Disability Support Services

The community consultation 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 will the support programmes achieve?

The establishment of support programmes as secondary legislation, will make how DSS works more transparent than it is now by introducing more checks and balances, and giving people more visibility of upcoming changes.

This will make it easier for disabled people to understand what support is available and how decisions are made. 

The programmes provide flexibility to tailor support for specific groups, address technical matters, respond quickly to emerging issues, and trial new approaches.

Information on support programmes must be made publicly available before they can take effect. If parliament doesn’t agree with parts of a programme, it can step in.

Support programmes are referred to as Ministerial programmes in the legislation.

Does the Bill pave the way to introduce means testing?

The Bill does not introduce income or asset testing where it is not currently used, and there are no plans to expand its use.

Income and asset testing have long been used for some DSS supports, such as home modifications and equipment. It is not used in relation to personal care or carer support.

The Bill is intended to formalise and make the existing system more transparent. This is why it continues to allow for income and asset testing to be part of DSS policies.

Why have you not included the Enabling Good Lives principles in legislation? 

DSS remains committed to the EGL principles and vision. 

The Enabling Good Lives principles are not specific to DSS, they have a wider application across government and communities. 

The Bill states DSS’ purpose is to support disabled people to live their everyday life.

This purpose draws directly from the ordinary life outcomes principle. 

• Learn about Enabling Good Lives | Disability Support Services