Call the COVID-19 disability helpline for free on 0800 11 12 13 or text 8988. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It can help with:
- information about vaccines, testing, face mask exemptions, and managing COVID-19
- support and advice for any general health concerns you may have
- assistance if your support worker or carer is unavailable.
You can use the New Zealand Relay Service to make a call:
New Zealand Relay Services (external link)
If you need care or home support
If you test positive, let your support provider know that you have COVID-19 so they can put protective measures in place.
Your in-home care will carry on, even if you are sick with COVID-19.
Anyone who is providing care must follow appropriate infection prevention control procedures.
Infection prevention and control recommendations for health and disability care workers | Ministry of Health (external link)
If your support worker or carer is unavailable
If you need urgent support and your support worker or carer is unavailable, you can call the dedicated disability helpline on 0800 11 12 13. Or you can text them on 8988.
This could be if:
- your support worker is unavailable and cannot provide the essential support you need
- you are unable to reach the organisation that normally provides your care
- there is no one available to provide the support you need.
The 0800 11 12 13 service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from 8am to 8pm. A person with experience or knowledge of disability will answer the call and assess the urgency of your situation and provide advice or assistance. After 8pm, calls will be answered by a trained member of the Healthline team.
The call centre will work with you to determine what needs to happen, how urgent your situation is and if medical or other emergency services are needed.
As always, if there is an emergency, or there is a threat to your life or property, call 111 immediately.
Financial support
If you need help with urgent costs, or have to take unpaid leave, you may be eligible for support from Work and Income: