We are delivering the first stage of improvements to Disability Support Services (DSS) funded supports for disabled people, families, whānau and carers.
These were announced in September 2025 by the Minister for Disability Issues.
The improvements are informed by what the disability community told us in 2025, and by the Independent Review in 2024.
The February changes are about making the system fairer and more consistent.
In April there will be more changes which are about giving disabled people more choice and control over their flexible funding.
What is happening in February
The first of these improvements begins mid-February.
The February changes are about improving the way disabled people’s needs are assessed and supports are allocated.
From mid-February, all NASCs (Needs Assessment Service Co-ordination organisations) and Enabling Good Lives sites across the country will begin to use the same approach to assess people’s needs and allocate supports.
This will make things fairer and more consistent, no matter where you live.
Who will the February changes affect?
You will experience these changes if you are applying for the first time, or when you have a reassessment in the future.
What will be different
Before the assessment, you will receive clear information on what to expect.
Families’, whānau and carers’ needs may also be part of the assessment, if their support is important to the disabled person’s needs and wellbeing. This may include respite and other supports to give carers a break and make caring sustainable.
After your assessment, you will have a clear My DSS Funding Plan focused on your needs and the purpose of your funding and supports. It will help you understand and plan how you use your funding and supports. This may include support for carers where appropriate. Non-urgent reassessments are paused temporarily. If you need an urgent reassessment because your situation has changed, talk with your NASC or Enabling Good Lives site.
There will be more changes in April
The April changes apply to people who get flexible funding.
They are designed to give people more choice and control in how they spend their flexible funding – and make flexible funding easier to use.
We will share more information soon on how flexible funding budgets will be set and communicated ahead of April.
More information on the April changes to flexible funding: Flexible funding changes | Disability Support Services