Articles tagged with Independent Review 2024
New Disability Support Services Legislation Passed to Enhance Support in NZ
5 days ago | 125 viewsDisability Support Services legislation has passed its final reading in New Zealand Parliament, establishing a legal framework to improve support for disabled people and their families without changing current eligibility or entitlements. The legislation incorporates feedback from the disability community, clarifies the government's role in supporting families, ensures stronger consultation with disabled representatives, and aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Enabling Good Lives principles. The government has also committed $2.1 billion in additional funding and plans further consultations on a carers’ package to enhance consistency, fairness, and sustainability in disability support.
Tags: Louise Upston Disability Support Services New Zealand Social Services and Community Select Committee United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Enabling Good Lives Independent Review 2024 Government disabled people carers’ packageNew Disability Support Services Legislation Passes to Enhance Support and Choice
5 days ago | 132 viewsDisability Support Services legislation, reflecting input from the disability community, was passed to provide a clearer, stronger legal framework that supports disabled people and their families while emphasizing choice, safety, and dignity. The law mandates formal consultation with disabled representatives, aligns with UNCRPD and Enabling Good Lives principles, and maintains current eligibility and entitlements without introducing new income or asset tests. The government has committed $2.1 billion in additional funding, improved service consistency and sustainability, and plans further consultations on a carers’ package to enhance support.
Tags: Louise Upston Disability Support Services New Zealand Social Services and Community Select Committee United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Enabling Good Lives Independent Review 2024 Minister for Disability Issues disabled people carers’ packageDisabled People Gain More Choice and Control as Flexible Funding Rules Are Removed
5 months ago | 871 viewsFrom April 1, 2026, disabled people with flexible funding will have more choice and control as purchasing rules are removed, while budgets remain at current levels and spending must align with individual funding plans. This change follows significant government investment and reforms since 2024 that stabilized the disability support system, ensuring fairer, more consistent access and stronger financial controls. Additional guidance will be provided to help manage budgets, with certain purchases requiring pre-approval, aiming to support disabled people, their families, and carers more effectively.
Tags: disability support flexible funding Louise Upston Minister for Disability Issues Independent Review 2024 whānau carers DSS Enabling Good Lives purchasing rulesMore Choice and Control for Disabled People’s Flexible Funding from April 2026
6 months ago | 931 viewsFrom April 2026, disabled people will have greater choice and control over their flexible funding without changes to their current budget allocations, as purchasing rules will be removed while still requiring spending to align with individual plans. These changes follow successful efforts since 2024 to stabilize the disability support system, including strengthened financial controls, improved needs assessments, and significant new funding to ensure sustainability and consistency. Support will be provided to help individuals manage their budgets, with some high-cost or specific purchases requiring pre-approval, reflecting feedback from the disability community and recommendations from the 2024 Independent Review.
Tags: Louise Upston disability support flexible funding Independent Review 2024 DSS NASCs Enabling Good Lives Budget 2025 residential care carers