For health professionals

Send your referral through your Clinical Portal or practice management e-referral system. 

1. Go to Regional Clinical Portal or e-referral system.

2. Select Kaikaranga — this will usually be displayed as Kaikaranga (Disability NASC under 65’s, previously Taikura Trust).

3. Make sure to attach clinical documenation that clearly describes the person’s disability diagnosis, how this was diagnosed and how it is impacting their daily life.

If you don’t have our link to your Clinical Portal, get in touch with your IT team for assistance.

You can also use our online referral form.

Detailed eligibility requirements:

  • The Aotearoa New Zealand Autism Guideline: Third Edition outlines the key recommendations for the diagnosis and assessment of autism. A report that clearly describes how the diagnosis of autism was reached and includes a clear diagnostic statement as to whether the person meets DSM-5 criteria should be included. Reports that note “traits or features of autism” do not meet the eligibility criteria.

    Learn more about autism diagnosis on the DSS website

  • To be eligible for intellectual disability under DSS, the following three criteria must be met:

    • FSIQ of 70 or below
    • Impairment in two or more areas of adaptive function
    • Evidence of impairment during the developmental period (prior to 18).

  • Children referred to us prior to the age of 7 with a definitive diagnosis of GDD, can be given interim eligibility for DSS needs assessment and supports as indicated. As GDD is an interim diagnosis, to receive ongoing DSS supports after the age of 18, a confirmed diagnosis that meets one of the other disability domains is required, e.g. intellectual disability or autism.

    Children who are first referred to us over the age of 7 with a diagnosis of GDD are not eligible for DSS. To be eligible for DSS they would need a confirmed diagnosis of physical, intellectual or sensory disability or autism.

    Learning difficulties, FASD and ADHD diagnoses are not covered by DSS support.

  • This includes structural limitations to ROM, weakness, neurological impairment, amputation and progressive neurological conditions. A clinical letter or report that clearly details the person’s physical capacity is required to determine eligibility for DSS. For example, this should include relevant information about strength as per the Oxford Scale, ROM, changes to tone/reflexes/sensation, and how this is impacting the person’s functional capacity to complete activities of daily living.

    Disability as a result of physical incapacity due to chronic health conditions such as COPD, heart failure, chronic pain, chronic fatigue, etc. is not supported under DSS.

    Disability as a result of an accident/injury is typically covered by ACC.

  • To determine eligibility for DSS we require clinical documentation from an appropriate clinician that specifies the following:

    For blind/low vision: a report noting the persons visual acuity and/or visual field loss while wearing aids (if they have them) and how this is impacting their daily function.

    For deaf/hard of hearing: a report that details the person’s hearing capacity in decibels while wearing aids (if they have them) and how this is impacting their daily function.

    Auditory processing disorder is not supported under DSS.

Start your referral now, and find out what supports you can get.

Make a Referral