Who Can Receive Funding
Disability support services are available to people with a physical, intellectual, or sensory disability, or a combination of these, when:

• The condition is expected to continue for at least six months, and

• Ongoing support is needed to live independently.
   

These services are generally for people under 65 years of age.

Support may also be available to people with:

• Neurological conditions that cause permanent disabilities

• Developmental disabilities such as autism

• Disabilities that co-exist with a health condition or injury
   

Whaikaha – the Ministry of Disabled People – does not usually fund disability support for:

• Personal health conditions like diabetes or asthma

• Mental health or addiction conditions such as depression, schizophrenia, or alcohol and drug dependency

• Age-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease
   

Further information about who can receive funding from Whaikaha is available from their website

Even if you don’t meet Whaikaha’s criteria, you might still qualify for Work and Income disability support, which includes illness in its definition.

People with complex or chronic health conditions who need a high level of ongoing support may also qualify for home-based services through Te Whatu Ora.

What Is and Isn’t Funded
Funding from Whaikaha is designed to help with disability-specific needs — it’s not an income replacement or general living support.
For information on income assistance, visit our page on Financial Support through Work and Income.

Examples of Support Whaikaha May Fund

Support at Home
Help to live independently, including assistance with:

• Personal care (eating, dressing, hygiene)

• Household tasks (meal prep, laundry, cleaning)
   

Carer Support and Respite
Financial help so full-time carers can take a break. This covers some of the cost of alternative care while the main carer has time away.

Community Residential Support Services
Support for disabled people to live in a home-like setting with up to 24-hour care from trained staff.

Home Modifications
Funding for changes to your home such as:

• Handrails, ramps, or lifts

• Accessible showers or widened doorways

• Fencing for safety
   

Vehicle Modifications
Funding to modify a vehicle for accessibility, and in some cases help to buy a suitable vehicle.

Equipment and Aids
Help with items that support daily living or communication — like hearing aids, mobility aids, medical alarms, or adaptive technology.

Behavioural Support
Provided through Explore Services for people with challenging behaviours such as aggression, self-harm, or distress.
The approach is based on Positive Behaviour Support, aiming to improve quality of life for the person and those around them.

How to Check Eligibility
Eligibility is determined through a Needs Assessment Service Coordinator (NASC).
You can contact your local NASC to begin this process — they’ll help identify what supports you may be entitled to and how to access them.
The NASC will:

• Talk with you to understand your situation

• Carry out a needs assessment

• Work with you to plan supports that align with your goals
   

If you live in Christchurch, Waikato, or MidCentral, you may access support through Enabling Good Lives (EGL), which operates with more flexible, person-led options.

Individualised Funding (IF)
Individualised Funding allows you to manage your own support for personal care, household management, and respite services.
It gives you more choice and control over how your funding is used.

To access IF, you must:

• Be eligible for Whaikaha-funded support

• Be approved to manage those supports under IF

• Discuss options with your NASC to confirm suitability

Enabling Good Lives (EGL)
Enabling Good Lives is an approach focused on giving disabled people and their whānau greater choice and control over their lives.
It encourages flexible support, self-direction, and the use of natural and community networks.
EGL started as a pilot in Christchurch and is now available in Christchurch, Waikato, and MidCentral.

Information for this page was adapted from Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People and Work and Income New Zealand.