Everything you need to know about NASC
FAQs for parents, whānau and carers
What is a NASC?
A NASC (Needs Assessment and Service Coordination) looks at a person’s needs to see if they are eligible for funded Disability Support Services (DSS).
This is different from the MSD Disability Support Allowance and WINZ.
In the MidCentral region (Palmerston North and surrounding districts), instead of NASC you have Mana Whaikaha (Enabling Good Lives) which uses Connectors/Kaitūhono to work alongside disabled people. They also look at the wider supports needed to keep disabled people safe and well, including their whānau and carers.
Who is it for?
NASC is for anyone in Aotearoa below the age of 65. Your child is eligible if they have a physical, intellectual, or sensory disability (or a combination) expected to last at least six months, even after treatment or equipment, and requires ongoing support.
Your child’s NASC assessment will only be completed with your agreement.
How do I get it?
You’ll need to show your child is eligible by getting a referral from their GP or other medical professional.
Alternatively, if your child’s school suspects they might have an intellectual disability, they should discuss this with you and look at an appropriate referral for an assessment/diagnosis.
Another avenue is to get an assessment through ACC psychologists. If your child has an ACC sensitive claim, you can ask to be referred.
Keep in mind that wait times in some areas (such as Auckland and the Far North) can be long.
What’s involved in the assessment?
As a first step, a NASC Coordinator (also known as a Facilitator in some regions) will need your child’s formal diagnostic information/report. If you don’t have it already, the NASC will assess your child to get one.
From there, the Coordinator will carry out a needs assessment to understand your child’s daily challenges and what support and funding will help them. Usually the assessment is done in your home, but it can also be done online, and can take up to two hours. Make sure to ask questions. Needs assessments can be overwhelming and things get forgotten, so it can also help to have someone with you during the assessment – a family member, a friend, or a support person you trust.
Based on the assessment, the Coordinator will let you know what you’re eligible for and help coordinate the right services.
For Mid-Central whānau, Mana Whaikaha’s Connector/Kaitūhono will work alongside you to explore your child’s strengths, aspirations, and goals (not just needs) to create a personal plan for them.
What supports can I receive?
Supports (if any) are determined on a case-by-case basis, but may include
- help with personal care
- household management
- carer support (CS hours)
- individualised funding (IF) respite
- Personal Care (PC hours)
- supported living
- community participation
- day programmes
- behaviour support services.
Some funding can also be used to buy things like modified bikes, sensory aids (e.g. weighted blankets) and communication devices.
Check the four purchasing rules to learn more about how you can use your funding.
Remember: You don’t need to accept the service package offered to you. You can ask for a review (see below for more information).
For Mid-Central whānau, your funding is more flexible. You can self-manage or choose providers, and supports can include community connections, cultural supports, or other creative solutions (not just the traditional “menu” above).
How often are reviews?
Review meetings usually happen every 12 months but can be requested at any time should something change with your child’s health, living situation, or level of independence. The purpose of the review is to make sure your support plan still matches your child’s situation and goals.
Brief reviews are done over the phone, but face-to-face or online reviews (with a written report) happen every three years but can be requested if a significant change has occurred. The outcome can be challenged and a request for another review can be made if you’re not satisfied.
In Northland, assessments are reviewed every two years (usually by phone) and face-to-face every three years, but can be requested at any time.
For those in Mid-Central, there isn’t a set review/reassessment schedule. You and your Connector/Kaitūhono can review your plan when it makes sense for you — some people check in yearly, others only when circumstances change. Funding plans are usually approved for 12 months but you can request a meeting any time you want to change your plan or funding use. Because the approach is flexible, you can often shift funding to something that suits you better.
I’m not happy with my NASC, what can I do?
As a first step, you should discuss any concerns directly with your assigned Coordinator (or Connector/Kaitūhono in Mid-Central) to explore options, or request a review or reassessment (see below for more information).
There’s only one NASC Coordinator in each region. However, you can ask for a peer review of your allocation which will be sent to another Coordinator for review. There is also a formal complaints process for NASC where you can provide feedback to improve services. Remember: you are not being bothersome. You are perfectly within your right to advocate for the support you need. You can also seek help from a local disability advocate for guidance through the process.
Mid-Central whānau can request a meeting with their Connector/Kaitūhono at any time to raise concerns, or use the Mana Whaikaha feedback/complaints pathway if you feel your concerns aren’t being listened to.
My child’s needs have changed. Can I get more funding?
Requests for more funding must show a significant change in the child’s health/wellbeing, or a change in family dynamics, for example, if you become a solo carer/parent for your child.
You’ll need to provide clear evidence of how this impacts their daily life, supported by reports from health professionals (doctors, therapists, psychologists) outlining the diagnosis and functional limitations. School reports or therapy progress notes may also help show the support your child needs.
In MidCentral, talk to your Connector/Kaitūhono about how your child’s needs have changed and what extra support will help them live a good life. You don’t need to wait for an annual review, and because funding is flexible, it might be increased or shifted to different supports.
Some tips to remember:
- Act quickly — don’t “wait and see” if things get worse.
- Keep records — write down what’s happening day-to-day (care needs, behaviour changes, sleep patterns, stress levels).
- Bring a support person, especially if you feel your request might be challenged.
- Escalate the matter if you feel your reassessment hasn’t captured the true needs. Appeal or make a complaint.
My whānau is moving to another part of the country, will our NASC support remain?
When you move house, you may also be moving from one NASC area to another, and the criteria may be slightly different there, including different diagnosed requirements. For example, a person with an intellectual disability diagnosed with an IQ over 70 may receive funding with their current NASC, but this may be too high and make them ineligible for funding under another NASC.
As a first step, you should check with the NASC in the area you plan on moving to, asking whether your child will be entitled to the same type and level of funding as they have with their current NASC.
