Below is our breakdown of the Budget for 2023/24 by National Policy Analyst Phoebe Eden-Mann. There are four key areas – Social Development; Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People; the Accommodation Supplement; and Learning Support and Education. A Word version is available at the top of each section. You can click on the graphs to show a larger version.

Social Development Budget

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Please note that due to the establishment of the new Ministry for Disabled People that this budget has been particularly difficult to analyse given the changing formats and re-appropriation of funding.

Information has been taken from the Social Development Vote and the Wellbeing Budget Outlook.

Both Disability Allowances

For the year been (2022/2023), the Government estimates it spent $428.7 million on the combined total for both the Child Disability and Disability Allowance.

For the year 2023/2024, they are planning on spending $440 million as the combined total of both disability allowances, which is $11.3 million more than last year.

I think that it’s important to note that in the Budget Child Poverty Report 2023 the rates of disabled children and young people who are living in poverty have had the smallest overall reduction of poverty measures. We know that from international data, that raising the child disability allowance does make a meaningful difference in the lives of disabled children. The fact that there has been no meaningful increase to the disability allowances is extremely disappointing.

Child Disability Allowance

For the year been (2022/2023), the Government estimates it spent $128.5 million on the Child Disability Allowance (the Government had planned to spend $128.5 million). So, the Government spent the same amount as planned.

For 2023/2022, the Government plans to spend $140.9 million on the Child Disability Allowance. This is $12.4 million more than they spent last year. This increase in spending does not increase the disability allowance rates, so there has been no change in entitlements.

	2022/23	2022/23	2023/24	2024/25	2025/26	2026/27
	Final Budgeted $00	Estimated Actual $000	Budget $000	Estimated $000	Estimated $000	Estimated $000
Child Disability Allowance	128,525,000	128,525,000	140,888,000	148,434,000	154,223,000	159,258,000

Disability Allowance

For the year been (2022/2023), the Government estimates it spent $300.1 million on the Disability Allowance (the Government had planned to spend $300.1 million). So, the Government spent the same amount as they planned.

For 2023/2024, the Government plans to spend $299.1 million on the Disability Allowance. This is $1.9M less than they spent last year

Note: The disability allowance budget is estimated to decrease over time, which is unusual as our disability rates are going to increase due to our ageing population. I am unsure why they are predicated to decrease, but thought it was an interesting point.

Spend on both disability allowances over time

Spending on the two disability allowances over time from 2010-2024 (planned):

	Child Disability Allowance	Disability Allowance
2010/11	$96,004,000	$314,366,000.00
2011/12	$90,384,000	$312,208,000.00
2012/13	$86,081,000	$298,566,000.00
2013/14	$84,016,000	$294,553,000.00
2014/15	$84,972,000	$292,358,000.00
2015/16	$86,086,000	$288,762,000.00
2016/17	$88,260,000	$286,641,000.00
2017/18	$92,379,000	$289,641,000.00
2018/19	$96,281,000	$294,991,000.00
2019/20	$102,211,000	$312,399,000.00
2020/21	$111,489,000	$296,675,000.00
2021/22	$115,001,000	$296,019,000.00
2022/23	$128,535,000.00	$300,145,000.00
2023/24 (planned)	$ 140,888,000.00	$ 299,136,000.00

Early Intervention Support Services

For the year been, (2022/23) the Government estimates that it spent $38.1 million on Early Intervention Support Services (support services for disabled people who are early in life, in life transitions, or in vulnerable situatations). The Government spent the same amount that they planned to.

For 2023/24, the Government plans to spend $55.9 million. This is $17.8 million more than they spent last year.

	Final Budgeted 2022/23	Estimated Actual 2022/23	Budget 2023/24
Early Intervention Support Services	$ 38,099,000.00	$ 38,099,000.00	$ 55,874,000.00

Supported Living Payment

For the year been (2022/2023), the Government estimates it spent $2309.8 million on the Supported Living Payment (the Government had planned to spend $2334.7 million). So, the Government spent $24.9 million less than they planned to.

For 2023/2024, the Government plans to spend $2520.2 million on the Supported Living Payment. This is $210.3 million more than they spent last year.

Final budgeted 2022/2023	Estimated Actual 2022/2023	Budget 2023/2024	Estimated 2024/2025	Estimated 2025/2026	Estimated 2026/2027
$2,334,746,000.00	$2,309,846,000.00	$2,520,161,000.00	$2,655,809,000.00	$2,766,824,000.00	$2,871,247,000.00

Community-based Support Services

For the year been (2022/2023), the Government estimates it spent $699.9 million on community-based support services (the provision and support of services for disabled people living in a community based setting). The Government had planned to spend $699.9 million. So, the Government spent the same amount as planned.

For 2023/2024, the Government plans to spend $765.8 million on community-based support services. This is $65.9 million more than they spent last year.

	Final Budgeted 2022/23	Estimated Actual 2022/23	Budget 2023/24
Community-based Support Services	$ 699,950,000.00	$ 699,950,000.00	$ 765,750,000.00

Connecting and Strengthening Disability Communities

For the year been (2022/2023), the Government estimates it spent $68.5 million on Connecting and Strengthening Disability Communities. The Government had planned to spend $68.5 million. So, the Government spent the same amount as planned.

For 2023/2024, the Government plans to spend $72.5 million on Connecting and Strengthening Disability Communities. This is $6.6 million more than they spent last year.

	Final Budgeted 2022/23	Estimated Actual 2022/2023	Budget 2023/24
Connecting and Strengthening Disability Communities	$ 68,482,000.00	$ 68,482,000.00	$ 72,482,000.00

Community participation and vocational services

For the year been (2022/2023), the Government estimates it spent $109.6 million on community participation and vocational services (the Government had planned to spend $109.6 million). So, the Government spent the same amount as planned.

For 2023/2024, the Government plans to spend $116.5 million on community participation and vocational services. This is $6.9 million more than they spent last year.

Spending on Community Participation over time:

Spending on Community Participation in millions	Planned spending	Estimated actual spending
2015/16	$ 77,468,000.00	$ 78,400,000.00
2016/17	$ 83,900,000.00	$ 82,631,000.00
2017/18	$ 81,160,000.00	$ 81,160,000.00
2018/19	$ 81,160,000.00	$ 80,866,000.00
2019/20	$ 82,642,000.00	$ 85,376,000.00
2020/21	$ 96,823,000.00	$ 96,823,000.00
2021/2022	$ 100,666,000.00	$ 98,666,000.00
2022/2023	$109,614,00	109,614,00
2023/24 (planned)	$116,507,000

Supporting Equitable Pay for Care and Support Workers

For the year been (2022/2023) the Government estimates it spent $17 million on Supporting Equitable Pay for Care and Support Workers (which is the same amount they had planned on spending). For 2023/2024, the Government plans on spending $17 million, so there has been no change in funding for Supporting Equitable Pay for Care and Support Workers.

	Final Budgeted 2022/23	Estimated Actual 2022/23	Budgeted 2023/24
Supporting Equitable Pay for Care and Support Workers	17,415,000	17,415,000	17,415,000

Whaikaha Budget

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This information has been taken from the Social Development Vote.

The establishment of the new Ministry for Disabled People is a win for the disability community. It is a standalone ministry focused on disability issues and services in Aotearoa.

Establishing and operating the new Ministry for Disabled People to realise a true partnership between the disability community and government and help drive ongoing transformation across government with, and for, disabled people – $107.859 million over 4 years.
Creating better options for disabled people and their whānau by extending Enabling Good Lives through the Ministry for Disabled People – $100 million over 4 years.
Total of nearly $2.2B on supporting tāngata whaikaha Māori and disabled people.
Total of $1M on disability legal expenses (unclear specifically what these legal expenses are for and have requested clarification on this).
Whaikaha will be taking over responsibility for National Disability Support Services, which we believe has been included as part of the $2.2B total funding for Whaikaha (have requested clarification on the specific budget amount for this).
Biggest win for the disability sector is the abolishment of the Minimum Wage Exemption Scheme which will be replaced by a wage supplement by mid 2025
Total mobility is now effectively permanently 75% off the cost of normal fares for Total Mobility Taxies and 50% for public transport (we had clarification on this from Minister Wood via Twitter).

Supporting Tāngata Whaikaha Māori and Disabled People Total Spend

	Final Budgeted 2022/23	Estimated Actual 2022/23	Budget 2023/24
Supporting Tāngata Whaikaha Māori and Disabled People	$ 2,073,794,000.00	$ 2,073,794,000.00	$ 2,244,565,000.00

Safeguarding Adults at Risk and Disabled People from Violence and Abuse

This is a new initiative that falls under Whaikaha’s responsibility. In the year ahead (2023-24), it is budgeted to cost $1.6M, and a total of $6.1M over the next four years.

	Budget 2023/24	Estimated 2024/25	Estimated 2025/26	Estimated 2026/27
Maintaining Momentum Across Te Aorerekura - Safeguarding Adults at Risk and Disabled People from Violence and Abuse	$1,575,000	$1,625,000	$1,455,000	$1,455,000

Accommodation Supplement Budget

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This information has been taken from the Social Development Vote. The Accommodation Supplement is not a disability specific supplement, but many disabled people are eligible for and receive it.

For the year been (2022/23) the Government estimates that it spent $2,023.4 million on the Accommodation Supplement (which is the same amount that they had planned to spend).

For 2023/24 the Government plans to spend $2,172.6 million on the Accommodation Supplement. This is $149.2 million more than they spent last year.

	Final Budgeted 2022/23	Estimated Actual 2022/23	Budget 2023/34
Accommodation Supplement	$2,023,428,000	$2,023,428,000	$2,172,631,000

The Government is anticipating an increase in the funding for the accommodation supplement for the coming years, which is largely due to COVID-19, and the sky rocketing cost of living.

Here are their estimates for the next four years.

	Final Budgeted 2022/23	Estimated Actual 2022/23	Budget 2023/34	Estimated 2024/25	Estimated 2025/26	Estimated 2026/27
Accommodation Supplement	$2,023,428,000	$2,023,428,000	$2,172,631,000	$2,249,676,000	$2,261,528,000	$2,272,267,000

Learning Support and Education Budget

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This information has been taken from the Education Vote 2023/2024.

Note: Some previous education initiatives/funds have appear to have been blended into higher level allocations. I believe this is due to Whaikaha and some uncertainty around which Ministry will be responsible for certain initiatives; there will be further announcements regarding education in the near future, and I suspect they will provide some clarity around this.

Learning Support

For the year 2022/2023 the Government estimates that it spent $688.4 million on Ministry of Education’s Learning Support and Alternative Education (which is the same amount that they had planned to spend). This includes supports like the Ongoing Resourcing Scheme (ORS), the Early Intervention Service, Resource Teachers, and more.

For 2023/24 the Government plans to spend $696 million on Learning Support. This is $7.6 million more than they planned to spend last year.

Note: it is unclear just yet exactly how much of this funding is going specifically to disability related learning supports and how much of it is going to Alternative Education. Alternative Education is a pathway for learning where young people receive additional learning support that is individually targeted and can support students transition back into school, training, or employment. Disabled students could benefit from this, but it is not a disability specific programme.

	Final budgeted 2022/23	Estimated Actual 2022/2023	Budget 2023/24
Learning Support and Alternative Education	$ 688,412,000.00	$ 688,412,000.00	$ 696,024,000.00

Special Needs Interventions

In the year been (2022/23), the Government estimates it spent $403.9 million on Special Needs Interventions, which was the same amount as they planned to spend. For the year ahead (2023/24), the Government plans to spend $416 million.

This is $12.1 million than they planned to spend last year.

Note: it is unlikely that this funding boost is enough to meet existing demands or deliver on the transformational change that disabled children were promised.

	Final Budgeted 2022/23	Estimated Actual 2022/23	Budget 2023/24
Special Needs Interventions	$403,900,000	$403,900,000	$416,024,000

Increasing Ongoing Resourcing Scheme Teacher Aide Hours

In the year been (2022/23), the Government estimates it spent $25.4 million, which was the same amount as they planned to spend. For the year ahead (2023/24), the Government plans to spend $25.4 million, with no estimated increase in funding predicted for the next five years.

	Final Budgeted 2022/23	Budget 2023/24	Estimated 2024/25	Estimated 2025/26	Estimated 2026/27
Increasing Ongoing Resourcing Scheme Teacher Aide Hours	$25,442,000	$25,442,000	$25,442,000	$25,442,000	$25,442,000

Wait times for the Early Invention Service

In the year been, the Government estimates that children waited 99 calendar days on average to access the Early Intervention Service. This is 10 calendar days longer than their target of 90 days, and very similar in wait times compared with.the previous year.

	Final Budgeted 2022/23	Estimated Actual 2022/23	Budget 2023/24
Early Intervention Services average wait time to receive support after the request for support	90 calendar days	99 calendar days	90 calendar days

Wait times for Ongoing Resourcing Scheme

In the year been, the Government estimates that children waited 13 calendar days on average to access ORS support. This is less time than the target of 22 calendar days. For the year ahead, the Government has kept the target at 22 calendar days.

	Final Budgeted 2022/23	Estimated Actual 2022/23	Budget 2023/24
Ongoing Resourcing Support average wait time to receive support after the request for support	22 calendar days	13 calendar days	22 calendar days

Budget Analysis 2023/24

Social Development Budget

Both Disability Allowances

Child Disability Allowance

Disability Allowance

Spend on both disability allowances over time

Early Intervention Support Services

Supported Living Payment

Community-based Support Services

Community participation and vocational services

Supporting Equitable Pay for Care and Support Workers

Whaikaha Budget

Supporting Tāngata Whaikaha Māori and Disabled People Total Spend

Safeguarding Adults at Risk and Disabled People from Violence and Abuse

Accommodation Supplement Budget

Learning Support and Education Budget

Learning Support

Special Needs Interventions

Increasing Ongoing Resourcing Scheme Teacher Aide Hours

Wait times for the Early Invention Service

Wait times for Ongoing Resourcing Scheme

Branch closure due to strategic planning hui

New model for children with additional education needs proves to be an empty aspiration based on Budget 2023 figures