Lottery Equipment Funding for People with a Disability (New Zealand)

Deadline: 29-Sep-2026

Lottery Equipment Funding supports individuals with permanent disabilities in New Zealand to access essential disability-related equipment that enables meaningful participation in community life. The funding can help remove physical, communication, mobility, and other barriers that prevent people from taking part in social, recreational, civic, cultural, voluntary, and community activities. What Is Lottery Equipment Funding? Lottery Equipment Funding is a New Zealand funding stream supported through the Lottery Fund, which distributes lottery profits to projects and initiatives that provide public benefit and contribute to strong, sustainable communities. The equipment funding stream focuses specifically on individuals with permanent disabilities who experience significant barriers to participating in community life. The purpose of the grant is to help applicants obtain equipment that directly improves their ability to participate in activities, groups, events, organisations, and community networks. The funding is intended to supplement other sources of financial assistance, rather than replace government funding or other primary funding options. What Does Lottery Equipment Funding Support? Funding is available for disability-related equipment that directly enables meaningful participation in community life.

Eligible equipment may include:

- Mobility vehicles - Vehicle modifications - Wheelchairs - Mobility scooters - Communication aids - Certified disability assist dogs - Other disability-related equipment that removes significant participation barriers The key consideration is whether the equipment directly helps the applicant participate in community activities that would otherwise be difficult or impossible because of their disability. What Types of Community Participation Can Be Supported? The equipment must contribute to meaningful participation in community life.

This can include participation in:

- Social activities - Recreational activities - Civic activities - Cultural activities - Voluntary activities - Community groups - Community events - Community organisations - Community networks Applicants should clearly explain how their disability currently limits participation and how the requested equipment will remove or reduce that barrier. Who Is Eligible to Apply? Lottery Equipment Funding is intended for individual people with permanent disabilities in New Zealand.

Applicants must:

- Have a permanent disability. - Be significantly limited in their ability to participate in community life without the requested equipment. - Demonstrate that the equipment will help remove or reduce the participation barrier. - Be a New Zealand citizen or hold New Zealand permanent resident status. - Apply for equipment that is directly related to their disability and community participation needs. The funding is therefore focused on individual participation rather than organisations seeking equipment for general program operations. What Is Meant by a Permanent Disability? The program is specifically designed for people with a permanent disability. Temporary disabilities are not eligible for this funding stream. Applicants should therefore be able to demonstrate that their disability creates an ongoing barrier to participation and that the requested equipment is necessary to address that barrier. How Does the Funding Help Remove Barriers? The central purpose of the grant is to connect the requested equipment with a specific participation barrier. For example, an applicant may explain that: - A mobility limitation prevents them from attending community activities independently. - A vehicle modification is needed to enable accessible transportation. - A wheelchair or mobility scooter would make participation in community activities possible. - A communication aid would enable them to communicate more effectively during community activities. - A certified disability assist dog would support participation and independence in relevant community settings. The application should make the connection between disability → barrier → equipment → improved participation clear. What Is Not Eligible? Lottery Equipment Funding does not cover every type of disability-related expense.

Funding is not available for:

- Temporary disabilities - Equipment primarily required for education - Equipment primarily required for employment - Equipment already funded by another government agency or primary funding source - Equipment purchased before a funding decision is made Where another agency has provided partial funding but an unfunded balance remains, the Lottery Equipment Funding may be able to supplement that balance, subject to the program requirements. Can Equipment Be Purchased Before a Funding Decision? Applicants should not purchase the equipment before a funding decision is made. Equipment purchased before the funding decision is not eligible for funding. Applicants should therefore wait for the outcome of their application before committing to the purchase. Is the Grant a Replacement for Government Disability Funding? No. Lottery Equipment Funding is intended to supplement rather than replace funding from government agencies and other primary funding sources. Applicants should first consider whether the equipment or part of the cost can be covered through an appropriate government or other primary funding provider. The Lottery grant can potentially assist with an eligible remaining funding gap. How to Prepare a Strong Application Applicants should focus on clearly demonstrating the need for the equipment and its expected impact on community participation.

1. Explain Your Disability-Related Need

Clearly describe the permanent disability and how it affects your ability to participate in community life.

2. Identify the Participation Barrier

Explain what you are currently unable to do, or what is significantly more difficult, without the requested equipment. Avoid focusing only on the equipment its