What’s Happening with Disability Support Services Right Now?

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Timeline that led to the current Disability Support Services (DSS) status

 

September 2023

The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) took a close look at the Ministry of Disabled People - Whaikaha and found a few big problems. They learnt that Whaikaha is dealing with serious financial and system issues, and doesn’t have a robust plan or the resources to fix the issues it's facing.

December 2023

Whaikaha advised that they expected to be $70 million short on their financial budget for 2023/24 financial year.

March 2024

Whaikaha created new Purchasing Guidelines and made some changes to Equipment and Modification Services, to keep their spending under control. The guidelines explain what people can buy with their disability funding, while a new process was made to prioritise who can use Equipment and Modification Services first.

Following a request from the Minister of Finance, Whaikaha gave an updated budget estimate for 2024/25. The estimates showed that the cost pressures they were facing were actually greater than they had first thought.

April 2024

The new Minister for Disability Issues said that there will be an Independent Review into Disability Support Services (DSS). The review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of DSS and provide disabled people and carers with certainty around what they can access.

May 2024

The Minister brought in three independent reviewers to look at how Whaikaha can improve stability, certainty, and consistency in service delivery, while making sure to prioritise those who need help the most.

August 2024

The results from the Independent Review were shared. This is what they found:

1. DSS is not being delivered the same way everywhere.

2. If spending isn’t controlled, there won’t be enough money for DSS in 2024/25.

3. There isn’t enough control over the budget and spending.

4. The biggest cost increases are in Flexible Supports (like Individualised Funding and Choices in Community Living) and Residential Care.

5. Whaikaha isn’t set up to manage its money well.

6. Current rules and service design make it hard for Whaikaha to run DSS properly.

The review came up with recommendations to fix the problems they found. This was approved by Government. Read about what they proposed and how it will be rolled out on the Whaikaha website.  

The Government also agreed to:

1. Move DSS from Whaikaha to the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) starting September 2024.

2. Create a standalone department for the rest of Whaikaha, to provide leadership and stewardship for disabled people across government by the end of 2024.

3. Establish a cross-agency taskforce of senior officials within MSD to deliver the Independent Review’s recommendations. The taskforce will include experts in policy, finance, contract management, service delivery, risk management, auditing and evaluation.

 

What you need to know

How this will affect us
  • The Government will give us and all NASCs a fixed budget, so that the DSS budget stays under control. We can’t spend more than our budget.
  • We need to prioritise the services we fund, and our purchases from providers, to stay within our budget.
  • We will keep reviewing support plans regularly.
  • If someone’s needs in residential support change, we can change the amount we pay to the provider, but we still have to stay within our budget.
  • In some cases, a Review Panel from MSD will look at new rates for residential support and some high-cost community support.
  • This new approval process adds extra steps for our team, as we’ll be working closely with MSD to ensure every decision is carefully considered to provide the best possible support. Because of these changes, there will be delays in responding to your questions or in getting a decision on your support plan request.

 

How this will affect you
  • MSD advised:
    • there is unlikely to be immediate change to the support you receive
    • People will continue to get the funding, equipment, care and the other disability support they are currently eligible for
    • People do not need to go into MSD’s Work and Income offices for disability support services.
  • If you need additional support, or if your needs change, continue to talk to your provider or us.
  • People need to manage their Flexible Supports carefully. If you have flexible funding like IF, CICL, Carer Support and it isn’t being used properly, we might ask a provider to take over providing those supports.

 

Changes on who can be placed in Residential Care

Starting 21 September 2024, only those with the most urgent need will be considered for Residential Care placement at this stage. They must meet one of the following criteria:

  • Be subject to a court order requiring care under the High and Complex framework.
  • Be subject to an order under the Oranga Tamariki Act 2019. 
  • Be exiting Mental Health care (including secure care), and there is no other appropriate option for the person to be discharged to. 
  • Be exiting hospital care and there is no other appropriate option for the person to be discharged to.
  • Have escalating needs with a medical or nursing component that can only be met through hospital-level care (usually in aged care). 

 

Navigating changes together

We expect more changes in the coming months and like you, we’re awaiting guidance from MSD on how DSS budgets can effectively meet the growing demand for disability support. As we adapt to ongoing changes, you may experience longer response times to your queries and approval requests. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time, and we’re here to support you as best as we can.

 

ENDS