Housing Modifications Funding

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 a set limit, Work and Income NZ will work out if you have to pay part of these costs. This does not apply for housing modifications for children 15 years and under.

How can I get housing modifications?
An assessor (occupational therapist) completes an assessment of your needs, and with your help, identifies 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.

Assessors can be contacted via your District Health Board, NASC agency (Needs Assessment Service Coordination), GP or phone 0800 17 1981.

They can apply for funding for housing modifications for you from Accessable (if you live in Auckland or Northland) or Enable New Zealand (rest of New Zealand).

You cannot get funding for housing modifications that cost less than $200, modifications already done without funding approval, soft furnishings, general maintenance, or modifications to your home for work, social or economic reasons.

Please note: Getting housing modifications through the Ministry of Health can take a long time. In most cases you can only get funding for modifications once, so think carefully about what you need now and in the future. Moving to a single storey house, getting useful equipment or help in the home through NASC should also be looked at before thinking of expensive housing modifications.

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.

EQUIPMENT
You may be eligible for Ministry of Health funding for specialised equipment if:
  • you have a disability that will last over six months and result in a reduction of independent function to the extent that ongoing support is required; and
  • you are not an ACC claimant (for that disability).
Equipment can only be provided if a specialised assessor has identified that equipment is essential for you to:
  • Get around more safely in their home, or
  • Remain in, or return to, their home, or
  • Communicate effectively, or,
  • Study full-time or do vocational training, or,
  • Work full-time, or,
  • Work as a volunteer,
  • Be the main carer of a dependent person

Who To Contact:

For further information about Ministry of Health funding for equipment, contact the funding administration service for your area:

If you live in Auckland or Northland, contact accessable, call free (New Zealand only) 0508 001 002.

For all the rest of New Zealand, contact Enable New Zealand, call free (New Zealand only) 0800 17 1995.
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