IDEA Services gets its funding from five major sources:

• the Government, including the Ministries of Health, Social Development (Work and Income), Child Youth and Family Services and ACC
• the people we support in residential and contract board services contribute to the cost of services by assigning a portion of their benefit for full-time support services
• contributions to the cost of some other services such as school holiday programmes and some day activities
• fundraising such as the Annual Appeal, The Calf Scheme, direct mail, donations, bequests and local fundraising events 
• activities such as rentals on properties and investment income

Adults receiving full-time support from IDEA Services can expect:

• a percentage of their benefit to go to IDEA Services for living costs, including rent, food, phone and power
• the remaining money is used to pay for personal expenses such as personal effects, going to the doctor or dentist, going out and holidays.

Families can expect:

• to be asked if they would like to contribute to recreational activities, clothing or other items
  All adults have the legal right to manage their own money, unless this is removed by a court order. People will be supported for this to happen. 

If staff or a person's family manages money on behalf of a person they must:

• spend it on things that directly benefit the person concerned, for example clothes, food, rent and other things the person wants or needs

• hand back money if the person asks for it

• keep a record of what is spent

If a person is not able to manage their own bank account there should be two signatories for withdrawing money from their account - a staff person and a family member is a wise precaution. Personal bank accounts are audited by an approved independent person, such as local IHC member or an IDEA Services manager at least once a year.