Submissions

To: Ministry of Social Development 
Date: July 2026 

Purpose

The purpose of the submission was to feedback on the DSS Further Improvements discussion document released by MSD in mid-2026. 

Summary of DPA submission

DPA recommended: 

• the need for genuine choice and control over all disability supports by disabled people, families whānau and caregivers to be explicitly acknowledged, 

• the importance of a high trust model of DSS where disabled people, families whānau and caregivers are entrusted with all decisions on how to best manage funding, 

• that DSS is flexible, seamless and effectively coordinated to meet the needs of all users including disabled people, family/whānau and carers, 

• that DSS becomes more proactive in responding to need(s) and is adequately funded to do this, 

• that family, whānau and informal carers of disabled people are fully valued and recognised by government including through the greater availability of respite care, 

• that complaints processes and pathways are simplified with strengthened support for independent advocacy, and 

• that fully accessible information and high-quality advice is readily available about disability support to both current and future DSS users.