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Having a break
This section describes the help funded by the Ministry of Health and District Health Boards (DHBs) to help you have a break.
ACC may also help you have a break if the person you care for has an injury.
Sometimes, you may feel like you need a break from caring. Having a break gives you the chance to "recharge your batteries" and follow your own interests. The person you care for may benefit from a break too.
Breaks can be planned in advance, but at times of crisis or emergency need (say, if you become ill or someone else in the family requires help), you may have to organise a break urgently. It may be useful if you have a family emergency plan so you know who to call and how to get support in an emergency. Carers NZ has a free emergency planning tool to help you - visit www.carers.net.nz.
What help is available?
The two options for support to help you take a break are:
- formal out-of-home care (while this is often called respite care, "respite" is now a term that is often used to cover both types of care)
- the Carer Support Subsidy .
You may get both of these types of help, depending on your needs and the services that are in your area. Your break can be for a short period (half a day or longer, including overnight) or for several weeks.
Formal out-of-home services
Formal out-of-home services are services like rest homes, respite houses and school camps. These services are contracted by the Ministry of Health and District Health Boards and are free. Generally, you will be able to contact the rest home or other service to make a booking and agree on times and dates that suit you and them. Sometimes you will have to wait until a space is available. An assessment determines the number of days' break that will be paid for.
Who qualifies?
To get formal out-of-home services or the Carer Support Subsidy, you must be the main carer for the person you support, caring more than four hours a day. You don't have to live with the person you support, as long as you are their main carer and responsible for their ongoing care and wellbeing.
If a person receives services from a DHB mental health and addiction service, they may be eligible for home-based or residential respite services, which will help the person avoid a crisis. Respite also enables you, as a carer, to have a break.
Respite services may be available even if the person is largely caring for themselves.
Who to ask
How to get a break is different depending on the needs of the person you support. The table below shows who to contact depending on your situation.
Reviewing your needs
The needs of the person you support and your needs as a carer will be regularly reviewed (often this happens once a year). You or the person you care for can ask for a review sooner if you feel your needs have changed. Talk to your doctor or, for most people, your local NASC organisation. If you need this to be done urgently, make this clear when asking for a new assessment.
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.
Who to contact
| Type of need/disability | Who to ask |
| Younger person with a chronic health condition and high ongoing health needs (cancer, emphysema, diabetes, cystic fibrosis etc) | In the first instance, talk to your family doctor who may refer you to another agency. |
| Younger person with a disability | Contact a Needs Assessment and Service Co-ordination (NASC) organisation - or visit www.moh.govt.nz/disability . |
| Older person, aged 65 years and over, or person aged 50-64 years who has similar needs | Contact a NASC . |
| A person with mental health, alcohol or other drug issues | Talk to your family doctor. In some places, a NASC may be able to help you, or contact your local DHB mental health service case manager (if you have one). |
| A person with an injury | Contact ACC . |
Carer Support Subsidy
Carer Support is a subsidy towards the daily cost of your breaks. Usually, you are given a certain number of days a year through an assessment process. You choose how you want to take a break and pay for it with the subsidy. You will usually have to pay a “top-up” for the service.
Carer Support can be paid to:
- friends and some family members
- neighbours or other people who provide relief care
- formal services (a rest home, school camp and so on).
Who qualifies?
To get formal out-of-home services or the Carer Support Subsidy, you must be the main carer for the person you support, caring more than four hours a day. You don't have to live with the person you support, as long as you are their main carer and responsible for their ongoing care and wellbeing.
If a person receives services from a DHB mental health and addiction service, they may be eligible for home-based or residential respite services, which will help the person avoid a crisis. Respite also enables you, as a carer, to have a break.
Respite services may be available even if the person is largely caring for themselves.
Who to ask
How to get a break is different depending on the needs of the person you support. The table below shows who to contact depending on your situation.
Reviewing your needs
The needs of the person you support and your needs as a carer will be regularly reviewed (often this happens once a year). You or the person you care for can ask for a review sooner if you feel your needs have changed. Talk to your doctor or, for most people, your local NASC organisation. If you need this to be done urgently, make this clear when asking for a new assessment.
If you have a question about making a Carer Support claim
If you already receive Carer Support, the forms you get will tell you how to make a claim. You can also call the Carer Support Subsidy helpline on 0800 281 222 (press 1) if you have a question or to follow up on subsidy payments.
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.
Who to contact
| Type of need/disability | Who to ask |
|---|---|
| Younger person with a chronic health condition and high ongoing health needs (cancer, emphysema, diabetes, cystic fibrosis etc) | In the first instance, talk to your family doctor who may refer you to another agency. |
| Younger person with a disability | Contact a Needs Assessment and Service Co-ordination (NASC) organisation or visit www.moh.govt.nz/disability . |
| Older person, aged 65 years and over, or person aged 50-64 years who has similar needs | Contact a NASC . |
| A person with mental health, alcohol or other drug issues | Talk to your family doctor. In some places, a NASC may be able to help you, or contact your local DHB mental health service case manager (if you have one). |
| A person with an injury | Contact ACC . |