10 October 2024
Cooper O’Neil
[FYI request #28362 email]
Tēnā koe Cooper O’Neil
Official Information Act request
Thank you for your email of 12 September 2024, requesting copies of the following
documents relating to the residential care subsidy (RCS):
•
A copy of the financial means assessment form (Residential Care Subsidy).
•
Financial means assessment (Residential Care Subsidy).
•
Means assessment of assets (Residential Care Subsidy).
•
Means assessment of income (Residential Care Subsidy).
•
Residential Care Subsidy Asset verification procedures.
•
Residential Care Subsidy Asset verification procedures.
I have considered your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act).
Please find my decision on your request set out below.
Attached please find a copy of the RCS application form. Note the Ministry uses
this one form, which is subject to change at any time.
Please note that the RCS application form can only be given to a client after they
have had an appointment and been assessed by a Needs Assessor from the Needs
Assessment Service Coordination (NASC) agency funded by Health New Zealand -
Te Whatu Ora. The Needs Assessor will:
• Check an applicant meets Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora criteria.
• Determine the level of care needed.
• Complete a Needs Assessment Certificate.
Once a needs assessment confirms a client requires long term care, the Needs
Assessor will complete the Needs Assessment Certificate (page three and four of
the RCS application form) and provide the rest of the form to the client/and or
their family. At that stage, the completed form is submitted to the Ministry, who
undertake a Financial Means Assessment. If the subsidy is granted, the Ministry
then advises Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora of eligibility and the appropriate
rate payable.
Information about the RCS, including details of the process we follow, is available
on the Ministry’s website here:
www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/a-z-benefits/residential-care-
subsidy.html.
The Aurora Centre, 56 The Terrace, PO Box 1556, Wellington
– Telephone 04-916 3300 – Facsimile 04-918 0099
I will be publishing this decision letter, with your personal details deleted, on the
Ministry’s website in due course.
If you wish to discuss this response with us, please feel free to contact
[MSD request email]. If you are not satisfied with my decision on your request, you have the right to
seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman. Information about how to
make a complaint is available
at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or 0800 802 602.
Ngā mihi nui
pp.
Magnus O’Neill
General Manager
Ministerial and Executive Services