Eligibility for Publicly Funded Health and Disability Services

Residential Care

To be eligible for public funding for residential care, a person must meet the eligibility criteria for public funded Health and Disability Services and be assessed as requiring residential care.

To be eligible to receive publicly funded health and disability services, a person would need to:

be a New Zealand citizen; OR
be an Australian citizen or permanent resident who has been living or is intending to live in New Zealand for two years or more; OR
hold a Residence Permit and a Returning Resident’s Visa; OR
hold a Residence Permit and have lived in New Zealand for the two years prior to accessing the services.

To be eligible for publicly funded residential care the person must have:

a needs assessment to determine their needs and the level of care required to meet those needs. It may be determined that the person is able to receive services in the community or in a supported living environment, and that residential care is not required to meet their needs.

The Needs Assessment Service Coordination agency (NASC) in your area is responsible for needs assessments.

The attached links are to related information:

Aged Related Residential Care Services Agreement
The contract that sets out the services required to be provided by contract by the Providers.
Looking at Long-term Residential Care in a Rest Home or Hospital - What you need to know
A booklet that sets out what people need to know when they are thinking about moving into residential care
NASC agencies
A list of the Needs Assessment Service Coordination (NASC) agencies around the country.
Residential Care Subsidy (www.workandincome.govt.nz)
Information on the Work and Income website on the Residential Care Subsidy. Work and Income are responsible for the Financial Means assessment which is required for a person who applies for a residential care subsidy.

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Page last updated: 4 February 2009