We have two exciting announcements about Disability Funded Carer Support and we couldn't wait for the next newsletter to tell you.

The first is that you may have noticed a new rate on your claim form.  There has been an increase to the Carer Support Subsidy from $76 per day to $80 per day from 1 August 2021.

Secondly, after introducing flexibility using the feedback we received over COVID lockdown,  we are taking Carer Support online from late 2021.

We are introducing a new online claims system that will make life easier and get your Carer Support funds to you faster. If you still want to claim Carer Support using paper then that’s fine, but we know many of you want an easier way to claim and to do this online.

You will be able to use your annual Carer Support as a budget and you can use this in whatever way works for your family (using the Purchasing Guidelines)

. You might like to use it all at once to take a carer with you on your family holiday or you might like to plan short breaks like a few hours to see a friend, more regularly. The budget is for you to use to get a break in the way that suits you and your family.

More details about this exciting progress can be found on our website here: Carer Support online claiming system | Ministry of Health NZ

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Have an excellent rest of the week.  

Ngā mihi,

Adri Isbister – Deputy Director-General Disability.

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