Where to start — when you need home help
You may qualify for home help if day-to-day tasks are hard due to an ongoing illness, injury, age-related health problems or you’re a disabled person.
Who can get help
You may get help if you, your partner, or child:
- have an ongoing illness — that will last for more than 6 months
- live with a disability — that’s due to an accident or for some other reason
- are recovering after hospital treatment and need help at home for a short time
- are over 65 and have age-related health problems.
What help is available
Home support services will help with your personal and practical needs.
These services may help you to stay in your own home rather than needing to move to a care facility.
Your personal circumstances
The help you get depends on your personal circumstances. For example:
- the level of care you need
- your income
- if you have family or whānau who can help you
- your age.
Support services and equipment examples
You might get help with, for example:
- personal care, such as showering and dressing
- mobility equipment to help you move safely at home and in the community
- home nursing care or medical services — wound care, help with taking medication, blood pressure checks and blood tests
- cooking, meals, food shopping and diet advice
- housework, gardening, essential home repairs and maintenance, buying furniture or appliances
- modifications to make your home safer — ramps, handrails, lever taps, widening doors
- getting a monitored medical alarm
- paying for heating and home insulation.
You’ll usually get these services for as long as you need them.
Help in your home — learn more about what’s available
Read about the equipment and support services available for older adults, to help stay safely at home for as long as possible.
Equipment and safety — Seniorline
You may also qualify for an allowance or other government payment — on top of your home and personal care services. Carers may get support payments too.
Take the first step — get a needs assessment
Getting a needs assessment is the first step to accessing government-funded support services.
Needs assessments are done by the Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC) service to:
- find out about the daily tasks you’re having difficulty with
- decide the support you need, to help you continue living independently at home
- assess if moving into an assisted living facility will be best — to keep you safe and to help maintain your quality of life.
Ask for a referral or refer yourself
Ask your family doctor or General Practitioner (GP) to refer you for a needs assessment. Or refer yourself by contacting your local NASC service directly.
If you’re in hospital, the hospital staff will contact the NASC service and arrange the needs assessment for you.
Check if you qualify for government help
To get a needs assessment you must qualify for government-funded healthcare services.
Your local NASC team will check if you qualify.
What happens if you qualify — the process
If you qualify, your local NASC team will work with you (and your family, if appropriate), to assess your needs.
After your needs assessment, the NASC assessor will develop a care plan that explains:
- the care you need
- when it will start
- who’ll provide your care and their contact details
- what to do if you have a problem with your assessment or care plan
- details of any extra services you’ve agreed to pay for yourself.
Most of this care is provided by businesses that have a contract with the government to provide home and personal care services.
Other government support you may get
You may qualify for an allowance or other government payment — on top of your home and personal care services.
Carers may get support payments too.
Disability Allowance
If you’re on a low income, you can apply for a Disability Allowance to help with your expenses.
For example, if you need to:
- make extra visits to the doctor or a specialist
- buy food for a special diet
- buy incontinence products — to help manage bladder and bowel leaks in adults
- get new clothes or shoes if they wear out more quickly because of your disability
- get your garden and lawns done or have the outside of your windows cleaned
- pay a higher heating bill than is usual for a household of the same size.
There is also a child disability allowance, to help with the cost of extra care needed for a disabled child.
Supported Living Payment
The Supported Living Payment is paid weekly. How much you get depends on the reason you’re applying.
You may get this payment if you:
- have a health condition, injury or disability
- are caring full-time for someone.
If you get the Supported Living Payment, you’ll also automatically get a Winter Energy Payment. This is paid during the Winter months.
You can learn more about this payment, find out if you qualify and apply online at Work and Income.
If you’re injured during an accident
If your injury is the result of an accident, the health professional treating you will make a claim for you with the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC).
What to do if you’re injured — ACC
If your claim is accepted, ACC will pay part of your health provider’s appointment fees.
For ongoing injuries and disabilities you may get other help. For example, home support, transport to treatments, childcare, accommodation, counselling and therapy.
Help for veterans
If you have a service-related injury or illness, you may qualify for help from Veterans’ Affairs. Their Social Rehabilitation programme includes many services.
Social Rehabilitation — Veterans’ Affairs
The help you get will depend on your circumstances. It may be only for a short time or as a top-up on what you qualify for from other sources — such as from ACC or Work and Income.
The needs of your spouse or partner, child, dependent, or other support person may also be considered.
Use their online tool to find out what support you may get.
Check your eligibility — Veterans’ Affairs
Contact Veterans’ Affairs to talk to a case manager about what you need.
For over 65’s
You may qualify for other services and financial help from the government if you’re over 65. Read about what’s available.
Support for carers
If you care for someone full time at home, you may qualify for financial help.
If you do not qualify for government services
If you cannot get government-funded healthcare, you can still get home help and personal care services.
You may need to pay for and arrange these services yourself.
How to organise home care — Seniorline
Here are some options for private home support services and suppliers.
Pay for services yourself
To find organisations in your area that provide private home help and personal care services, look online or ask for suggestions from:
- your local NASC team
- your GP
- some community organisations.
Government-funded home and personal care service providers may also offer their services privately.
Ask your local NASC team to suggest private providers.
Private health insurance
If you have private health insurance it can help to lower your home help and personal care costs.
Check your policy to find out if your health insurance covers these services.
Community funding and support
Charities and foundations offer services or money to help people, depending on their situation.
These organisations may have very specific qualifying requirements. For example, the Lottery Individuals with Disabilities Fund is available to disabled people with a long term, limiting condition affecting their ability to take part in the community.
Lottery grants for disabled people
Get suggestions of organisations that might help you:
Check if you qualify before you apply.
SuperGold Card discounts
If you’re 65 or older, use your SuperGold Card to get offers and discounts that may help you. For example, discounted firewood to heat your home.
Visits from volunteers
Age Concern can arrange for someone to visit you regularly. They’ll find a volunteer with similar interests to you who can provide you with some company.
How to report a problem with home support services
If you have a concern about your home care, talk to your service provider. This applies to both government and self-funded services.
Read our guidance on:
- what you can complain about
- how to report a problem
- what the provider must do about your concern
- who can support you when you complain
- the role of the Health and Disability Commissioner.