Proposal 7

We are considering introducing one or more of the following access criteria for flexible funding. We are not suggesting that all the below criteria would have to be met for someone to access flexible funding.

• The use of flexible funding is part of an agreed plan and clearly linked to the impairment-related need.
• Disabled people and/or their agents can manage the responsibilities of flexible funding.
• Flexible funding will be used to purchase a service or support that DSS provides through its contracted services/supports, that will address a person’s disability-related support, and there is an advantage to using flexible funding to purchase it (such as greater flexibility for scheduling, it is closer to where the person lives etc).
• Flexible funding will address a service gap, where the service is either not available, or the available service is not suitable for the individual.
• The cost of the support(s) or service(s) that will be funded is not more expensive than other ways to get that support.
• The flexible funding will enable the person to purchase or access a service that is expected to reduce a person’s future support needs.

Consultation questions:

11. Do you support the introduction of criteria for receiving flexible funding? Please let us know why, or why not?

12. Which of the following criteria for receiving flexible funding do you agree or disagree should be included and why? (choose all that you think should apply).

• 12a: Use of flexible funding is part of an agreed plan and linked to a specific need.
• 12b: Disabled people and/or their family / whānau / carers are able to manage the responsibilities of flexible funding.
• 12c: Flexible funding will be used to purchase a service or support that DSS provides through its contracted services/supports, that will address a person’s disability-related support, and there is an advantage to using flexible funding to purchase it (such as greater flexibility for scheduling, it is closer to where the person lives etc).
• 12d: Flexible funding will address a service gap, where the service is not otherwise available, or suitable for the individual.
• 12e: The cost of the support or service that will be funded is not more expensive than other ways to get that support.
• 12f: The flexible funding will enable the person to purchase or access a service that is expected to reduce a person’s future support needs.

13. Can you suggest other criteria for accessing flexible funding in addition to, or instead of, those above? If you have suggestions, please explain why you think they will be helpful for those who are accessing flexible funding.