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)
General COVID-19 support
Find services for when you need help, support, advice or information about COVID-19.
COVID-19 support
Get financial support
If your income has been affected by COVID-19, you may be able to apply for financial support.
Financial support
When you are self-isolating
Support is available if you need it when self-isolating because of COVID-19.
Help when you are self-isolating
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.
COVID-19 welfare phone line
Call the Ministry of Social Development's free COVID-19 Welfare line on 0800 512 337. They can help you with:
- food and essential items
- mobile data so you can keep in contact with friends and whānau
- support for personal care or daily tasks
- talking to your employer if you are worried about your leave or pay
- mental health support
- support with family or sexual violence.
If you are not coping
Find helplines that are available if you are not coping or have concerns for others.
Wellbeing helplines and support