# Web Capture: Carer Support — Health NZ and DSS Funding Streams

**Primary publishers:** Health New Zealand, Disability Support Services (DSS), Inland Revenue  
**Original capture:** June 2026  
**Primary sources checked:** 9 October 2026

Carer Support contributes towards a break for a full-time carer. The amount and permitted purchases depend on an assessed allocation and the funding stream. It does not guarantee a fixed annual number of days or cover the full cost of residential respite.

## Health NZ support for older people and health-related needs

The [Health NZ page](https://www.healthnz.govt.nz/hospitals-services/eligibility-subsidies/carer-support-subsidy), last updated **22 July 2026**, covers older people and people with long-term health conditions or mental health and addiction issues. A Health NZ NASC needs assessment determines eligibility and the hours or days allocated. Start with a healthcare provider, mental-health provider or specialist; paid family and whānau carers should ask their assessor about eligibility.

The page defines full-time caring as more than four hours of unpaid care daily. Its linked [July 2026 purchasing guideline](https://static.info.content.health.nz/docs/general-public/topics/eligibility-subsidies/Carer-support-subsidy-purchasing-guidelines.pdf) instead says **four or more hours of unfunded care**. Those definitions differ at exactly four hours: confirm the applicable boundary with the assessor.

The guideline allows assessed respite goods/equipment and formal or informal respite services, within the allocation and purchasing rules. **Informal respite** supplied by whānau or another person has a **maximum daily claim rate of $83**. That is not a universal rate for every purchase or DSS support.

Its **$2,075 (25 days)** figure concerns routing individual claims for approval; it is not a universal annual entitlement or cap. The guideline uses under/over wording without resolving the exact equality boundary. Purchases must provide respite, be cost effective and consider other funding. The nominated full-time carer cannot be paid for their own care under this guideline; ordinary household expenses and publicly funded assessed health services are excluded. Keep purchase receipts for at least seven years.

## DSS-funded disability support

The [DSS page](https://www.disabilitysupport.govt.nz/carers/how-to-access-carer-support), updated **8 July 2026**, covers disabled people supported by DSS. NASC or Enabling Good Lives (EGL) sites determine eligibility and allocations. Days can be treated as an annual budget. Its 28 days at $85 example illustrates arithmetic; it does not establish a standard rate or entitlement.

The **1 April 2026 Purchasing Operational Policy** applies to this DSS-funded stream. Some purchases require prior NASC/EGL approval. The [DSS payment-team guidance](https://www.disabilitysupport.govt.nz/assets/Carer-Support-Guidance-for-HNZ-Payment-Team-FINAL.pdf) explains that Health NZ processes these claims, while assessment and approval remain separate. Confirm proposed purchases and approval requirements with NASC/EGL before spending.

## Claims and tax

Health NZ processes claims through **csclaims@health.govt.nz**. For questions use **0800 855 066** or **carer_support@health.govt.nz**. Include the completed form and relevant receipts or invoices. The currently linked [claim form](https://static.info.content.health.nz/docs/general-public/topics/eligibility-subsidies/Carer-support-claim-form.pdf), printed version **October 2022**, requires lodging within **90 days of the last relief-care date**. Current web guidance says processing should take about ten working days for a correctly completed form, but times can vary.

[Inland Revenue guidance](https://www.ird.govt.nz/income-tax/income-tax-for-individuals/types-of-individual-income/carer-support-payments), updated **24 February 2026**, makes tax treatment conditional. Support care in the **support carer's own home** can be a non-taxable reimbursement; care outside that home is taxable. Business-provided care is taxable and may involve GST. A blanket tax-free description is incorrect. Benefit implications should be checked separately with Work and Income.

## Provenance and limits

The earlier Work and Income product URL returned 404 on this check. It does not establish programme ownership or current entitlement. The earlier capture mixed Health NZ and DSS rules and asserted unverified $80–$82 rates. Its full text and original hash are preserved in `artifacts/research/launch-supergold-carer-source-audit-2026-10-09.json`, alongside primary page captures and PDF page text. Page update dates, the July guideline and the April DSS policy are distinct from the original June capture date.