Individualised Funding (IF) is a person-directed system in New Zealand that gives disabled people and their whānau greater choice and control over their government-funded supports. Through an annual budget, the disabled person – or their agent – can plan, purchase, and directly employ support workers or services for tasks such as personal care and household management, rather than receiving services only from a provider.
Visionwest – an Individualised Funding Host
Visionwest Home Healthcare is an approved Individualised Funding host organisation. This means we understand how IF works and are trusted to provide support through the scheme. Our IF Coaches will work with you to discuss your needs, clarify your expectations, and develop a care plan that reflects your goals and unique circumstances.
Why choose Visionwest?
With over 30 years of experience, Visionwest Home Healthcare provides safe, reliable, and empowering in-home care that helps clients retain independence and remain in the comfort of their own home. We know a home is more than a place—it’s where people feel safest and most connected. That’s why we value the importance of Individualised Funding, which enables disabled people to live independently and on their own terms.
What are the benefits of choosing IF?
- Enjoy greater choice and flexibility when designing your support plan.
- Have more control over how and when your support is provided.
- Choose your own IF host provider and select the staff who support you.
- Manage your disability supports in line with your own timeframes and schedules.
What you can, and cannot, use Individualised Funding for
You can use IF for…
- Personal Care: Help with showering, dressing, and grooming.
- Household Management: Assistance with meal preparation, cleaning, laundry, and shopping.
- Respite: Short breaks for primary caregivers, which can be in your home or at a facility.
You cannot use IF for…
- Personal/Family Costs: Expenses not directly related to disability support like leisure and recreation.
- Medical Supplies or Equipment: This funding is for support services, not medical items.
- Home Renovations: Major structural changes are not covered.
- Increasing Personal Income: It is for support, not for general income.
You can see the full details of the purchasing guidelines on the Disability Support website.
What can you purchase with IF?
You can only purchase support that complies with the MSD’s Purchasing Rules. These rules are:
- It helps you live your life or makes your life better.
- It is a disability support.
- It is reasonable and cost-effective.
- It is not subject to a limit or exclusion.
In addition, you will only be able to purchase supports that are aligned to the purpose for which IF was provided. For example, if you are given a budget to purchase respite, it must be used for respite, i.e., to ensure that you and other carers can take a break.
Visionwest will provide an Individualised Funding Coach (IF Coach) to work with you to help you understand what you can purchase.
How does IF work at Visionwest?
Once you have been referred to Visionwest, an IF Coach will talk to you about how you would like to manage and use your IF Budget. The IF Coach will provide you with information and advice tailored to your specific situation. This includes information that will help you:
- Employ staff/contract staff (if relevant).
- Pay relevant taxes.
- Access your IF budget to make purchases (such as school holiday programmes or other respite opportunities).
Your IF Coach will also work with you to establish a support plan and provide you with ideas of how to use your IF budget – the final decision is yours, however.
As you purchase your support, Visionwest will invoice MSD, so that those supports can be paid for out of your IF budget. If you employ staff, you can choose to have Visionwest manage payroll for you including the calculation and payment of hourly rates, ACC employer levies, PAYE and KiwiSaver.
How do you navigate employment matters with IF?
Under your IF contract, you will be responsible for any staff you employ. This includes staff that provide your immediate care and staff involved in supervision, rosters, payroll, training and, if necessary, termination. You will also be responsible for scheduling work times and ensuring that staff absences are covered by relief workers.
But don’t worry, your Visionwest IF Coach is here to help you. Your Visionwest IF Coach will provide you with documentation relating to being an employer. This will include information on placing advertisements, recruitment and employment documentation such as contracts.
This information will inform you of everything you need to know about being an employer and will help you choose quality professional staff who are able to provide you with all your supports and will work within your required time schedules.
How to get started with IF:
- Assessment – A Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC) determines your eligibility and the types of support you require.
- Budget Allocation – Your assessed needs are translated into an annual budget that you can manage flexibly.
- Personal Plan – Together with your IF Host or Facilitator, you create a plan that sets out your goals and how your funding will help achieve them.
- Employment – You select and directly employ support workers to assist with personal care, household management, and respite.
- Budget Management – You oversee your budget to cover employment costs, including wages.
- Support from your IF Host – Your IF Host helps you use your funding effectively, manage your budget, and handle employment documentation and payroll.
How much does it cost?
IF is fully funded by MSD, Disability Support Services for people who meet the eligibility criteria. You will have a budgeted amount allocated to you based on your needs. This is accessed and determined by NASC Needs Assessment Service Coordinator.
Can I use other Visionwest support services?
Yes! Whether you need help with household tasks, personal care assistance, medication oversight or respite care for your regular caregivers, you can trust our professional network of over 1,200 qualified Support Workers to bring compassion, care, and kindness to your home.
Our Support Workers are fully trained and are chosen for their caring approach, kindness, and compassion. They will visit you in your home, working with your whānau and our Care Coordinators to ensure your support needs are being met. We also have Care Managers and Registered Nurses on hand to provide an extra layer of support as required.
Please click here to see our Visionwest Home Healthcare Support Services.
What’s the difference between an Agent and a Host?
Agent:
An Agent is someone who makes decisions on behalf of a disabled person about their Individualised Funding (IF). For example, a parent or guardian of a child under 18 would act as their Agent. As an Agent, you take on some responsibilities that a Host can’t do for you, such as tasks with IRD. Your IF Host will guide you through what these responsibilities mean, so you don’t have to figure it out on your own. Please note, Agents cannot pay themselves for providing support.
Host:
An IF Host is an organisation approved by the Ministry of Health to support people who want to manage their own Ministry-funded disability supports.
At Visionwest Home Healthcare, we’re here to walk alongside you as your IF Host. We’ll explain how funding works, help you manage your budget, recruit staff, and handle payments for services. We’ll take care of the admin so you can focus on what matters most—having greater choice, control, and support that fits your life.
Is Individualised Funding right for you?
If you or a loved one are living with a disability and want more choice and flexibility than traditional contracted services allow, IF could be the ideal option.
With IF, you receive a dedicated budget to purchase the disability supports that best suit your needs.
You can choose to manage this budget yourself or appoint an “Agent” to do so on your behalf. It’s important to note that, under NASC policy, family members living in your household can be employed as a Carer.
How do I refer myself, or someone else?
- Already have IF Funding approved?
You can refer yourself or a loved one directly to Visionwest Home Healthcare. To learn more, contact Visionwest Home Healthcare or phone 0800 222 040. - Need to apply for IF?
To find out if you are eligible, talk to your local NASC (Needs Assessment & Service Coordination) to discuss your needs and develop a support plan.
Family or whānau can provide input into this planning stage. NASC will then provide you with a list of Host Providers. Once you select your preferred provider, NASC will send a referral to them.