For Lottery Individuals with Disabilities, a disability refers to a long-term (six months or longer) limiting condition that affects a person’s ability to participate in the community.
Ngā kaupapa ka tautokona ā-pūtea / What we fund
Lottery Individuals with Disabilities funds vehicles, vehicle modifications, scooters, assistance dogs and other mobility equipment, that will enable better access to the community.
It also provides grants to people with disabilities that affect their communication, to buy equipment to help them communicate.
Vehicles/Vehicle Modifications
Funding requests for vehicles/vehicle modifications are subject to a professional transport assessment by a registered occupational therapist which must confirm the disability-related need for the equipment. A grant for a transport assessment does not guarantee a further grant will be made for a vehicle/vehicle modifications.
Ngā Hua / Outcomes
The outcomes sought by this Fund are:
- People with disabilities will actively participate in and have better access to their community;
- Children and young people with disabilities and their families will be more connected to their community
The Committee will look for information which shows how a request will support these outcomes and this will be important to the Committee making funding decisions.
Ngā kaupapa kāore e tautokona ā-pūtea / What we don't fund
In addition to what may not be funded by any Lottery committee, Lottery Individuals with Disabilities does not fund:
- Changes to any property or building;
- Items which are to be used only within the home;
- Equipment that the Ministry of Health or any other body has agreed to fund, up to the amount of that funding (any cost over that amount may be funded);
- Disabilities that have occurred as a result of an accident and are eligible for support from the Accident Compensation Corporation;
- Items already purchased;
- Repairs or maintenance to equipment; or
- Requests from individuals who do not have a disability
- Insurance
Insurance for equipment funded by the Lottery Individuals with Disabilities Fund is your responsibility.
Lottery Individuals with Disabilities Fund Supporting Documentation
To apply to the Lottery Individuals with Disabilities fund you need to provide:
- A letter of support outlining how you will contribute to the community by receiving this grant.
- A completed Verification of Disability form
Letter of Support
You will need to include a letter of support with your request for funding.
This letter should come from a third party, someone in your community, and the letter should include information on how you have contributed to the community and how you will continue to contribute to the community with the help of the grant.
Some good examples are; helping at the local marae, church or sports club, as a parent helping with your child’s school or club, or volunteering at a support group related to your disability.
If the request for funding is for equipment for a child, the letter should be in relation to the child’s parents or guardians.
Verification of Disability Form
A Verification of Disability form needs to be completed by a registered health professional. A template of the Verification of Disability form can be downloaded from the link below:
Requests can be made online through our grants and client management system, and paper based requests are also currently accepted. The request form and instructions for completing a hardcopy request can be found outlined here.
If you are unable to complete either the online request or the paper request, you can give permission to someone else to fill the request in on your behalf.
Who can apply
Requests may be submitted by:
- New Zealand citizens or permanent residents, who must be based in New Zealand