How to request Disability Support Services funded equipment including: Band 1,2 and 3, complex, accessories, non-list, trial, replacement 'like for like' and assessor re-issue equipment.
To request our EMS equipment services you must be registered with us as an EMS assessor and hold the appropriate approval or credential.
Get your EMS assessor accreditation
Disability Support Services guidelines
Before you start a service request, please ensure you are familiar with Disability Support Services (formally managed under Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People) Equipment and Modification Services (EMS) guidelines, including the 'Consultation with an EMS Advisor' document.
View EMS guidelines on the Whaikaha website
Forms
You can find the forms you need in our Document library.
Consulting an EMS advisor
If you do not need to consult with an EMS Advisor, please select your equipment then make a service request.
Find out how to consult an Enable EMS advisor
Find out about our EMS equipment outreach services
Selecting equipment
Our Disability Support Services (DSS) list equipment catalogue shows current price estimates, eg, for replacement equipment.
Band 1 equipment requests
Use our Equipment App to make your requests.
Getting started with service requests
Band 2 and 3 service requests
Unless you need to consult with an EMS advisor, start in the EMS Portal and complete the EMS Assessor Section. This will allow you to access our Equipment App to submit your request.
Access the EMS Portal and guides on the DSS website
When making a request:
please ensure you add the correct delivery address – client, hospital, or equipment technician
if you would like to trial the equipment, ensure you indicate this in the service request
attach your outcome summary if required
include your quote if your equipment is non-list.
The following requests go to Disability Support Services EMS review panel for a recommendation:
EMS proposals costing over $35,000 excluding GST
Clarification of Disability Support Services policy is required
Requests for EMS funding under genuine and exceptional circumstances
Requests for reimbursement for equipment and modifications already purchased.
We will notify you of the outcome of your request. If the service request is approved, we send a purchase order to the supplier with a copy to the EMS assessor.
Accessories /modified accessory requests
If price less than $1000: Make an 'accessories request' in the Equipment App.
If price $1000 or more: Complete the EMS Portal, then make a Band 2/3 ‘accessory over $1000’ service request.
Replacement equipment requests
Where equipment appears to be damaged or worn, please contact us to discuss if equipment can be repaired or is beyond economic repair. We may ask you to get an equipment technician to confirm the status of the item.
If we decide the equipment is beyond economic repair, we will ask you to work with the person to determine if Like for Like equipment (also known as replacement equipment) is appropriate.
Like for Like equipment means that the same fit, form and function of the equipment item needs to be sought. It does not indicate that the exact make and model needs to be supplied.
If Like for Like equipment is not appropriate or available, you will need to:
work with the person to identify a suitable solution
make a new service request.
You don’t need to complete the EMS Portal when requesting Like for Like equipment.
If cost is less than $5,000
Submit a Replacement Like for Like request via the Equipment App and ensure you attach the Replacement L4L form and quote (if required).
If cost is $5,000 or more
You must consult with an EMS advisor
Complete a replacement equipment request form
Submit a Like for Like (L4L) Band 1 service request; attach the request form, EMS advice outcome summary and quote, if obtained.
Assessor reissue equipment requests
If re-assigning Band 1 equipment to another customer, you’ll need the asset number of the item to be reassigned.
Create a ‘reissue equipment’ request in the Equipment App (not a Band 1 request).
Interim issue equipment
Interim issue equipment refers to requests for loan equipment while a customer’s equipment is being repaired or replaced.
Whether equipment can be loaned depends on suitable refurbished items being available from our stores.
Equipment delivery and setup
What happens when your request has been approved.
What we do
Check available stock and arrange for our freight company to deliver the equipment to the address(es) provided in your service request.
If equipment needs to be purchased, we send a purchase order to our supplier to provide and deliver the equipment.
Provide equipment care and use or operating instructions with the equipment, including a list of our equipment service agents.
What you do
If trial equipment is approved, you organise the equipment delivery and set up with the supplier.
Arrange for the customer to sign our Equipment Information Form ENAE213.
Ensure the equipment is set up correctly and safely for the person to use.
Request a technician if accessories need fitting, or if you need help setting up heavy or complex equipment.