Accessable
Accessable are the Equipment and Modifications Service provider for people living in the Auckland/ Northland region.
Enable New Zealand
Enable New Zealand are the Equipment and Modifications Service provider for the rest of New Zealand.
Work and Income
Work and Income administer the income and asset test for housing modification.
Housing modifications for disabled people of all ages
Is it difficult for you to get around and do tasks in your home because of your disability? If you need modifications to help you to remain in, or return to your home, the Ministry of Health may be able to help.
Who can get housing modifications?
If you live in New Zealand, are a New Zealand resident, and have a long-term disability which isn’t covered by ACC you may be able to get help with housing modifications through the Ministry of Health.
For housing modifications above $8076 (inc GST), Work and Income NZ will work out if you have to pay part of these costs. (This doesn’t apply for housing modifications for children 15 years and under.)
You can’t get funding for:
- housing modifications that cost less than $200
- modifications already done without funding approval
- soft furnishings
- general maintenance
- modifications to your home for work, social or economic reasons.
How can I get housing modifications?
If you want to get funding for housing modifications, you’ll need to talk to an assessor (occupational therapist). They’ll complete an assessment of your needs, and with your help, identify what modifications are needed for you to get in and around your home safely, or for you to be able to look after someone who depends on you.
For more information on the assessment process, go to Accessing Equipment and Modifications Services.
Types of housing modifications
Housing modifications might include:
- handrails to help you use the steps into your house.
- ramps to help you get into your home, particularly if you use a wheelchair.
- level-access showers/accessible bathrooms to help you use your bathroom safely and independently or with help from a carer.
- fencing to safely support a person who is at risk of injury because of their disability. Funding is not available for the usual fencing and security needs of young children.
Access modifications
There is an upper limit on the amount of funding ($15,334 inc GST) that you can get towards access modifications to allow people to get in/out of their home, including moving between floors.
This upper limit applies to modifications such as ramps, platform lifts, through-floor lifts, but doesn’t include other types of housing modifications such as door widening and level-access showers.
Costs included in the upper limit
The average cost of either a complex ramp or a low-rise lift can be funded within this level of funding.
The costs which will be included within the $15,334 (GST incl) maximum threshold are:
- all building and installation costs
- the associated building consent authority costs
In situations where a refurbished low-rise lift (up to a rise of one metre) or a modular ramp is available, the full replacement value of these items is included in the total cost of the access modifications and therefore will be included in the maximum threshold.
Payment for the completed work
Where the total cost of the access modifications exceeds $15,334 (GST incl), the funding for the modification will generally be provided as a Cost Contribution. This means that you and/or your family, whānau or representative will take responsibility for the modifications. Payment for the Ministry’s contribution will be made by Accessable or Enable New Zealand on completion of the work and approval by the assessor.
What do Accessable and Enable New Zealand do?
Accessable and Enable New Zealand receive applications from assessors. They check applications to make sure the occupational therapist has considered many support, equipment and housing modification options for you. This is so you get modifications, which are suitable and useful for you.
If your application is approved, housing modifications start in the following weeks or months depending on availability of funding, income and asset testing (if required), contractors, building consents, and the urgency of each application.
The occupational therapist, and Accessable or Enable New Zealand, stay involved until the agreed modifications are completed.
Find out more from the Ministry
Find out about housing modifications funded by the Ministry of Health for people living in the residential red-zoned areas of Christchurch or view the Service specifications for Equipment and Modification Service providers.
Downloads
For more information contact:
Accessable (Auckland/Northland)
Ph 0508 001 002
Fax 09 620 1702
Enable New Zealand (rest of New Zealand)
Ph 0800 17 1981
Fax 06 353 5876
Related areas
Page last updated: 18 May 2012
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