NZ Government Content

Assessing needs

An assessment process is needed to get most heath and disability support services funded by the Ministry of Health or a District Health Board (DHB).

If you or the person you are caring for is recovering from an injury you need to read the section about ACC.

The Assessment Process

The best way to find out what disability support services may be available to you is to contact a Needs Assessment and Service Co-ordination (NASC) organisation.  A NASC organisation will work with the person you are caring for and where appropriate you as their carer, to identify the person's needs.  Some NASC organisations will assess your needs as a carer separately.

The NASC organisation will tell you what kinds of support and services are available and help you to co-ordinate these services.

The person you support should have regular reviews (often this happens once a year). You can ask for another assessment at any time if your needs or the needs of the person you are supporting change. Make sure you let the NASC know if you need a new assessment done urgently.

What support services are available?

A wide range of services may be available for the person you support. Examples of these are:

  • home and community support (such as help with housework or personal care
  • Carers Support Subsidy and formal out-of-home services (respite care or having a break) 
  • day activity services (for example, day care programmes for older people)
  • residential care (living away from home, for example, a community residential home for people with a disability, or a rest home or long-stay hospital care for older people) 
  • other support services depending on the needs of the person you support and the area you live in.

Not all health-funded services need a NASC assessment. You can, of course, get emergency services, GP services and district nursing directly if you need them.

Who may get help?

You can contact a NASC organisation yourself or a health professional may refer someone to one.  The first thing the NASC organisation will do is check whether the person you support is eligible for services or if you, as a carer, can get support services.  There are two main types of NASC organisation, depending on your need:

  • For younger people (under 65 years) with a physical, intellectual or sensory disability (that is likely to last for at least six months), or younger people with chronic health conditions and high ongoing needs.
  • For older people (aged 65 years and over) and people aged 50-64 years who have similar needs.

The NASC organisation in some DHBs assess the needs of people across a range of services, including people with mental health, or alcohol or other drug issues. In other DHBs, there are separate NASC organisations or mental health case managers who just look after the needs of people with mental health, alcohol or other drug issues.

Getting in touch

Younger people (under 65 years)

You can find a list of NASC organisations for younger people at the Ministry of Health website www.moh.govt.nz/disability or phone the Ministry of Health's disability number 0800 DSD MOH (0800 373 664).

Older people (aged over 65 years and people aged 50-64 years who have similar needs)

You can find a list of NASC organisations for older people at www.moh.govt.nz/olderpeople or call your local District Health Board or your local hospital and ask to talk to the NASC team for older people.

People with mental health, alcohol or other drug issues

Most peple should consult their GP in the first instance.  Your GP may refer you to your local DHB mental health and addiction service, who can assess your need for specialist treatment and/or support services.

If you already receive services from DHB mental health and addiction services, contact your DHB case manager if you think your need for support services may have changed.

Residential care services for people of all ages and people with mental health, alcohol or other drug issues

You can find information on residential care services by clicking here 

If you get stuck

In the first instance, you should talk to your local NASC organisation, your doctor (if you have an illness-related need), your local DHB mental health service case manager (if you have one) or ACC (if you or the person you support has had an injury).

If this doesn't work, you can contact:

  • the Nationwide Advocacy Service at the Health and Disability Commissioner's office
  • Disability Support Services for younger disabled people, 0800 DSD MOH (0800 373 664)
  • the Ministry of Health.