Funding & Support in New Zealand
1. ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation)
ACC may fund mobility devices and related equipment when mobility needs result from a covered injury.
Funding decisions are based on:
Injury-related functional need
Clinical recommendation (often via an occupational therapist or physiotherapist)
Whether the equipment supports rehabilitation or daily function
ACC funding is not means-tested but must be directly linked to an accepted injury claim.
2. Enable New Zealand (Disability Support Services – DSS)
Enable New Zealand administers government-funded equipment and modification services for people with long-term disabilities (generally 6 months or longer).
Funding typically requires:
A Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC) assessment
Clinical justification from an occupational therapist or relevant clinician
Equipment that meets assessed essential needs
This pathway commonly supports wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and related aids.
3. Lottery Individuals with Disabilities Fund
This fund may assist with mobility equipment when other funding sources are unavailable or insufficient.
Common uses include:
Mobility devices
Vehicle or equipment modifications
Assistive technology that supports community participation
Applicants must be NZ citizens or permanent residents, and the disability must be long-term.
4. Individualised Funding (IF)
Individualised Funding is a person-directed funding model accessed through Disability Support Services following NASC assessment.
While not purely an equipment fund, IF may be used flexibly to support:
Independence and daily functioning
Supports that complement mobility needs where appropriate
Use of IF is subject to guidelines and individual funding plans.
5. Work and Income – Special Needs Grants (MSD)
In some situations, Work and Income may provide one-off Special Needs Grants to help with essential costs, including mobility-related needs when no other funding is available.
Eligibility is assessed on:
Financial need
Urgency and essential nature of the request
These grants are typically short-term and situational.
6. Total Mobility Scheme (Transport Support)
The Total Mobility Scheme offers subsidised transport (such as accessible taxis) for people who have difficulty using public transport due to mobility limitations.
While it does not fund equipment directly, it supports:
Community access
Independence in daily travel
Eligibility is assessed locally, often through councils or approved agencies.
7. Regional & Community Equipment Grants
Some regions offer local charitable or community-based equipment funds, particularly for people who fall outside standard eligibility criteria.
These grants may support:
Essential mobility equipment
Partial funding where other sources do not fully cover costs
Availability and criteria vary by region.
8. Equipment Loan or Hire Services
Short-term equipment loan or hire may be available through:
Disability support services
Community organisations
Health or rehabilitation providers
This option can be helpful while awaiting funding decisions or during recovery periods.