C17 - Receiving Financial Assistance for Home Support Services
The Ministry of Health funds contracted home support providers to help older people with their ongoing needs in the home.
Pros
- Home support could help you to remain independent in your home longer.
- Some people who need in-home support cannot afford to pay for it themselves.
Cons
- You must use one of the providers contracted to the Ministry of Health.
What do I need in order to take this option?
- Contact your doctor, local hospital, district health board (DHB) or local Needs Assessment and Service Coordination service (NASC). NASC will assess whether you are eligible for
funded home support and discuss your needs and the Ministry of Health-contracted home support options that are available in your area.
- Some services, such as cleaning, are only available to community services card holders. Services such as personal care (eg, help with showing or toileting) are available to
eligible older people without a community services card.
- You may only be eligible for a certain number of hours support each week, but you may feel you need or want more. You can pay for additional hours yourself, or you can ask for a
reassessment.
- You may need to be reassessed if you move but continue to live in your own home. You may also have to change to a new provider if your existing one does not work in the area you
are moving to.
- A suitable home support service must be available in your area.
Could this option limit my future choices?
No, but if you move and your needs remain the same, you will have to check whether your home support service provider can work in your new area or whether you need to find a new
service.
For more information