32928 (2026). Hon Priyanca Radhakrishnan to the Minister for Disability Issues

32928 (2026). Hon Priyanca Radhakrishnan to the Minister for Disability Issues: What clear guidance, if any, does the Ministry provide to carers and host providers to help them determine what Carer Support funding may be used for, particularly in relation to supporting disability needs, respite, support plan goals, and managing the impact of disability?

Hon Louise Upston: I am advised that since 1 April 2026, eligible disabled people and their carers have greater flexibility in how they use their allocated funding. The Disability Support Services (DSS) Purchasing Operational Policy sets out the conditions that must be met when using funding, including Carer Support funding, to buy supports, including what funding can be used for, what it cannot be used for, and when approval is needed before making a purchase. The general conditions require expenditure to be: • reasonably attributable to a disabled person’s disability • for a disability support • provided in a community setting • consistent with a disabled person’s My DSS Funding Plan. Further guidance is outlined on the DSS website. This is also my response to WPQ 32930