DSS announces changes to flexible funding

Starting 1 April 2026, Disability Support Services (DSS) will introduce changes to flexible funding aimed at providing more choice, control and certainty for disabled people and their families.

The changes are intended to make it clearer how funding can be used and to ensure greater consistency across the disability support system. DSS says the updates will support disabled people to use their funding in ways that better meet their individual needs and circumstances.

The changes are part of ongoing improvements to Disability Support Services, focused on creating a more transparent and sustainable system. DSS says giving people greater clarity and flexibility in how funding can be used will help support more personalised approaches to disability support.

There are a number of ways to get advice about how to use your funding under these changes

If you have questions about how to use your Carer Support funding, you can contact the Carer Support team at Health NZ.

• Call their Carer Support Team on 0800 855 066
• Send your claim forms to csclaims@health.govt.nz
• Email carer_support@health.govt.nz for general queries about Carer Support.

If you want to talk about how the changes may affect your Individualised Funding (IF), please contact your host.

For other questions, you can contact our team and we will help point you in the right direction.

More information about the announcement is available on the DSS website.