Questions and answers about the Disability Support Services Bill (DSS Bill).
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What is the purpose of the DSS 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 provides a more transparent and consistent framework for policies and funding.
It reduces the risk of disruption and unexpected cost increases that could impact support for disabled people.
Court cases have highlighted issues with DSS. The Bill makes it clear that the Crown is not and was never intended to be the employer of family carers.
What do disabled people, family 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.
It provides a more transparent and consistent framework for future policies and funding.
What does the Bill change for family and whānau of disabled people?
Family, whānau and carers often play a critically important role in the support of disabled people. The care they provide needs to be sustainable.
The Bill reflects the way that DSS already works. It does not establish any new obligation on families, nor does it change the level of support that disabled people and their families currently receive.
DSS will continue to recognise that families support each other where they can, and that there is a greater need for government to provide support where families are unavailable or unable to meet needs.
Recent changes made to assessments, allocations and flexible funding also recognise the important connection between disabled people and their family. More here: Changes to Disability support services - Information for carers | Disability Support Services
What will the Ministerial programmes achieve?
The establishment of Ministerial programmes will make how DSS works more transparent than it currently is by introducing more checks and balances.
This will make it easier for disabled people to understand what support is available and how decisions are made.
They provide flexibility to tailor support for specific groups, address technical matters, respond quickly to emerging issues, and trial new approaches.
Information on them must be made publicly available before they can take effect. If parliament doesn’t agree with parts of a programme, it can step in.
Does the Bill pave the way to introduce means testing?
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 does not introduce income or asset testing where it is not currently used.
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.
Can the disability community provide feedback, or inform changes?
DSS is committed to making sure the views of disabled people and the wider
community inform its work.
The Bill was informed by earlier engagement with the disability community in
2024 and 2025, along with previous feedback.
The Bill is now going through the parliamentary process external.
The Social Services and Community Select Committee will consider the Bill.
Information about the select committee process is available on the New Zealand Parliament website. This includes information about how to make submissions.
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.
When will I find out more about the carer support package?
A new carer support package will be developed that better recognises and supports the important contribution carers make. Nothing will change immediately.
Work is underway to determine what new arrangements may be needed and who it may apply to.
Any changes will be carefully managed and phased. DSS will provide updates as this work progresses.