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The government announced major reforms to this system and will invest $1 billion to protect benefits!
New Zealand Chinese Pioneer Network Ju’an Comprehensive Report The government has announced major reforms to the disability support system with the goal of giving people with disabilities and their families more choice and control.
Yesterday, Disability Minister Louise Upston said before attending the Disability Connect Expo in Auckland that the nation will unify the process and allocation standards of the Demand Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC) and cancel the controversial procurement guidelines implemented last March.
After the reform, people with disabilities will have a budget that can be more free to decide the purpose of the funds, but must be used within the budget. This budget will be based on the individual’s past expenditure level, and NASC will work with service users to develop personal plans to clarify the purpose of the funds.
“The goal may be to maintain stability, or pursue specific goals. The program will focus on the aspirations and needs of people with disabilities to address the obstacles they face due to their disabilities,” Upston said.
She stressed that the needs of families and caregivers will also be included in the assessment if they are related to the care of people with disabilities. “Supporting caregivers is essential to maintaining themselves and their support for the loved ones. It also helps prepare everyone for situations where the family or caregivers can no longer continue to provide care.”
The reform will be implemented in stages:
- Starting from February 1, 2026, new people entering the system will adopt a new evaluation method
- Starting from April 1, 2026, existing users of flexible funds will receive budgets and lift procurement restrictions
- Starting from October 1, 2026, regular reviewers will be included in the new system and individual plans will be formulated
The current independent Enabling Good Lives system will not be changed for the time being, and the government said it needs to consider further.
Upston notes that more than 90% of flexible fund users access services through NASC. The reform comes after hearing the opinions of more than 1,800 people with disabilities, their families and caregivers nationwide.
“We know there are some tough decisions that have to be made in 2024 to limit the ever-increasing spending. Since then, we have done more to ensure that people with disabilities, their families and caregivers have a trustworthy and easy-to-use system.”
She also mentioned that the government has invested $1 billion in the next four years in the budget this year to deal with the growing costs of disability support services, including $240 million for accommodation care.
“My first priority is to ensure that the disability support system is more consistent, transparent, sustainable and equitable.”
However, reform has also sparked different voices. Labor Party’s disability spokesman Priyanca Radhakrishnan criticized the government for “suspending” and allowing people with disabilities to “unnecessarily suffer”.
“Labor has been calling for a resilience, so while this news may bring some relief, I question why the government had to make people with disabilities and their families experience such pain in the beginning. The disabled population has stressed for years that they want more choice and control over the services they receive.”
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