Whether you are raising a child with a disability, or you are a parent with disability, there are a number of funded family supports available to you. Playing the role of a parent while also living with disabilities can be challenging and its normal to need assistance with some aspects of the day-to-day. 

You and your child don’t necessarily have to be eligible to receive funding under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to receive family supports however if you are eligible, there are a number of supports the NDIS will fund that can help your family living with disabilities. 

In this blog we will cover what the NDIS is and who is eligible, what types of supports the NDIS will fund in relation to families and other types of family support available.

What is the NDIS? 

Before we highlight what family support may be available to you, it’s important to first understand what the NDIS is, who is eligible and how funding can help your family. 

The NDIS is a single, national scheme that funds reasonable and necessary supports to help people with disability in Australia to reach their goals. It also supports carers of people with disability.

If you or your child is deemed eligible for the NDIS, you will then create a plan which is personalised to suit your needs and goals. Your plan decides how your funding will be allocated based on the areas of your life where you need support and what goals you want to achieve. To check your eligibility for the NDIS, click here.

It is important to remember that not every person will receive the same funding. Supports the NDIS will fund will differ depending on how your disability affects different areas of your life and what informal supports you have. 

If you are a parent with a disability, you may be eligible to receive NDIS funding for disability-specific training programs. If your child has a disability, depending on their age they may be eligible for support under the NDIS or through the Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) approach.

For more information on applying to access the NDIS, click here. 

What will NDIS fund in relation to family support? 

Supports the NDIS will fund are designed to sustain critical family relationships. These supports include:

• Family support and counselling
• Building the skills and capacity of other family members to manage the impact of a participant’s disability on family life 
• Supports that increase the participant’s independence, as well as supports that enable the participant to enjoy social and community activities independent of their informal carers 
• Supports aimed at increasing the sustainability of family caring arrangement, including personal care and domestic assistance related to the person’s disability 
• Where a child’s caring or living arrangement changes due to a child protection order, the Scheme can continue to fund the child’s disability-related supports such as aids and equipment, therapies, transport, or community access

If your child with disabilities is under the age of 7, the ECEI approach supports best practice in early childhood intervention to help your child and family to build capacity and support greater inclusion in community and every day settings, giving your child opportunities to grow and learn.

If your child moves out of home, your applicable state government will retain responsibility for protecting their wellbeing including arranging suitable out of home care where required. Supports the NDIS will continue to fund can include aids and equipment, supports to access the community and transport. 

What if my family isn’t eligible for the NDIS? 

If your child is under the age of 7, then they will not be eligible for NDIS funding. But don’t worry because there are other support options available to you.

One is the ECEI approach, which supports children under 7 who have a developmental delay or disability, and their families or carers. The ECEI approach supports families by helping children to develop the skills they need to take part in daily activities and achieve the best possible outcomes throughout their life.

The NDIS has engaged Early Childhood Partners around Australia to deliver the ECEI approach. Early Childhood Partners are experienced in providing early childhood intervention.

To learn more about the ECEI approach, click here. 

Other options available to families include Carer Allowance, Carer Payment, Disability Support Pension, Health Care Card, and community services and supports. 

If you are new to the NDIS or unfamiliar with what services are available, working with a third-party Plan Manager may be the right choice for you. The team at Disability Plan Services are experienced Plan Managers who will always focus on your family’s needs.

The post Supporting Your Family Living With Disability appeared first on Disability Plan Services.

Whether you are new to the NDIS or not, managing your own plan funds can be overwhelming and time consuming. One way to combat this is to request the NDIS plan management option. Without giving up your freedom and independence, NDIS plan management will allow you to focus on living your life while an independent, third-party takes care of the ongoing plan administration for you. 

To help you understand some of the many benefits of plan management, we have compiled the top six reasons why many people choose this option to manage their NDIS funds!

Say goodbye to stress 

One of the biggest advantages of plan managed vs self-managed NDIS is the time you save not doing all of your own administration. 

When self managing your plan, you are required to keeps records of all invoices from suppliers, pay them yourself, negotiate rates with providers, keep track of your funds and budgeting to ensure you don’t overspend or underspend. 

An NDIS plan manager is experienced with the NDIS and helps you by doing the following:

• Paying bills on your behalf and handling all record-keeping
• Managing your budget and keeping you informed of any remaining or low funds
• Providing you with tailored advice on how you should/can be spending your budget to maximise services
• Preparing you for NDIS plan reviews
• Liaising with service providers on your behalf and negotiating better rates
• Helping you to navigate the NDIS in simple language you can understand

Without all that difficult, ongoing administration to worry about, you’ve got more time to enjoy life and work towards achieving your goals!

Say hello to freedom, independence and control 

If you choose NDIS plan management, you will have access to registered and non-registered providers so you have the freedom to work with any provider you like! 

Another reason for choosing NDIS plan management is that you can still remain in control of how your funds are spent. NDIS plan management gives you the freedom to be flexible, so some aspects of your plan can be managed by your plan manager and other aspects you can choose to manager yourself!

Access to personalised support

The ideal NDIS plan management option is one that gives access to an experienced support team that understand how the NDIS works and can work with you, providing personalised recommendations to help you achieve your goals. At Disability Plan Services, we take the time to get to know you and understand what you want and need so you can rest assured that we’re always doing what’s best for you. 

As well as helping take care of administration jobs like managing your budget, our plan managers also go above and beyond to help facilitate the best supports for you as well as provide personalised advice that suits your individual needs and goals. 

Maximising your budget

Your NDIS funding is unique to you and has been allocated to help you achieve your goals. Therefore, managing your NDIS funding is an important part of working towards your goals. With NDIS plan management, you can make the most of your funds, allocate your funds towards supports that are best suited to you and budget effectively to ensure you don’t overspend or underspend.

Working with an NDIS plan manager means you can focus on achieving your goals while we manage your budget, provide expert recommendations and pay all of your provider invoices on your behalf. 

Not out of pocket costs

If you’ve read up to this point and like the sound of the NDIS plan management but aren’t completely convinced, then you might be wondering whether there’s an additional cost for the service.

Good news… there’s not! Choosing to have your plan managed by Disability Plan Services comes at no extra cost to you or your NDIS budget. When you request plan management at your planning meeting or plan review, additional funds are provided to you for this service.

With no additional cost to you, and no money taken away from your NDIS funding, why not let Disability Support Services help you manage your plan?

Our dedicated team with real-world experience in disability services are here to help you along you NDIS journey. Get in touch with one of our friendly staff today to receive the ideal NDIS plan management today! 

The post 6 reasons to choose NDIS plan management  appeared first on Disability Plan Services.

Just like many other supports you receive as part of your NDIS plan, support coordination plays an important role in capacity building and helping you work towards achieving your goals.

In this blog we’ll cover some of the most common questions surrounding NDIS support coordination so you can head into your first meeting with confidence.

What does a NDIS Support Coordinator do?

The role of a Support Coordinator can be varied and requires skills in relationship building, crisis and issues management experience and a thorough understanding of the NDIS.

Your Support Coordinators role is primarily to connect you with service providers in the community that are best suited to deliver the supports you need within your plan. 

In addition to building these connections, your Support Coordinator will also assist with any conflicts or issues that may arise with your service providers, acting as a liaison on your behalf to resolve any concerns including ending relationships with providers if required. 

Their role also involved a degree of education and training. To ensure you understand how your plan and supports work, your Support Coordinator will take the time to go through the NDIS areas of support that are relevant for you.

Due to the role’s varied and specialised nature, NDIS Support Coordinator qualifications often include fields such as allied health or certifications in disability support, welfare work or similar.

How does a Support Coordinator differ from a Plan Manager?

Although both roles ultimately provide you with NDIS support services that work towards achieving your goals, the ways in which these services are delivered is quite different.

Plan management is all about how you choose to look after the financial aspect of your NDIS plan funds, and support coordination is assisting putting your plan into action with the right services providers and managing ongoing relationships with providers.

Here is a comparison of the main duties of each role:

As you can see, there are some similarities between the roles however where a Plan Manager is focused on managing your plan funds, a Support Coordinator helps you to get the best possible results from your plan through relationships the right service providers.

Finding the right NDIS Support Coordinator for you

Much like many of your other NDIS funded supports, part of what makes your disability supports beneficial to achieving your goals is the relationships you build with your service providers.

If you engage a Support Coordinator who understands your needs, takes the time to listen to what you want and is pleasant to work with, you’re much more likely to enjoy the service you receive from them.

If you aren’t completely satisfied with the service you get from your Support Coordinator, or you’re still on the hunt for someone suitable, here are some things to consider:

• What aspects are important to you? If your disability makes it difficult to travel far to meet with your Support Coordinator or you find it difficult to work within their schedule, it may be best to consider finding someone more suitable in the location closer to you. Alternatively, you may prefer to work with someone who has lived experience with your particular disability to better establish mutual understanding and improve communication. 

• What type of relationship do you feel most comfortable with? Everyone has different preferences for their relationships with service providers so it’s best to establish this understanding early on and find out what you’re comfortable with. If shared interests are important to you when developing a relationship with your service providers, we recommend engaging someone who you get along with on a personal level. This is a great way to build trust.

• How is their knowledge of the NDIS pertaining to your disability and needs? Depending on how much experience each Support Coordinator has within their role and with different types of disabilities and NDIS plans, some people may be more suitable to assist you than others. It’s worth asking about previous experience, qualifications and skills. 

• What success have you had with other clients? If you’re looking for a Support Coordinator who has previous experience achieving great outcomes for clients, it’s a great idea to ask for some examples of how they have helped others to achieve their goals. This is also a good way to see how creative and/or hard working your Support Coordinator is with their clients!

If you’re based in South-east Queensland and are looking for a NDIS Support Coordinator that will take the time to understand your needs and work hard to reach your goals, get in touch with the team at Disability Plan Services today! 

The post What to expect from your NDIS Support Coordinator appeared first on Disability Plan Services.

When going through changes, it’s normal to ask for help or maybe even require additional disability supports. If you’re finding your current plan management option is no longer working for you, it’s important to know there are other options!

The options for managing your plan funds are:

• Self-managed – You can choose to take care of all the administration yourself, including managing your funding, paying for supports and service providers, keeping records for auditing purposing and budgeting to ensure your funds lasts until your next plan.
• Agency-managed (also known as NDIA-managed) – The NDIA manages your NDIS funding and bookkeeping for you. Your providers will be able make a claim for their fee directly from the NDIA, so you won’t need to pay for anything or keep records yourself.
• Plan-managed – You have complete choice and control over the registered plan management agency NDIS that you decide to work with! Their job is to handle all of the difficult administration of your plan funds including paying suppliers, budgeting to ensure you maximise your funding and providing recommendations based on your funds and goals. A plan manager is independent from the NDIS and therefore will always have your best interests at heart.
• Mixed (a combination) – You can also choose to combine any two of the above methods – for example, you may choose to have one component of the budget managed by a Plan Manager, but self-manage the rest until you feel confident enough to do it on your own (if that is your preference).

Depending on what about your current plan management option is no longer working for you, choosing the ideal NDIS plan management option for you could seem difficult. 

In this blog, we’ll cover some of the most common reasons we hear at Disability Plan Services for why you might want to change NDIS plan management options.

If you’re self-managing 

We often meet clients who have been self-managing their NDIS plan but are now finding this option to be too time consuming, overwhelming, confusing or stressful – especially after the stressful and uncertain year everyone has experienced.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to switch to another option such as NDIA-managed, plan managed or a combination of two options – there’s no shame in asking to switch. 

If you’ve always self-managed your plan but now you’re wondering whether it is still working for your lifestyle, consider plan managed.

Everyone with an NDIS plan is eligible for plan management – all you need to do for funding is request it at your planning meeting or plan review. This is because there is no eligibility criteria for plan management. The NDIS Act states the “NDIA must give effect to a participant’s plan management request”.

If you’re NDIA-managed

After spending some time with your plan managed by the NDIA (also referred to as agency-managed), you may be finding certain limitations frustrating such as not being able to work with service providers that aren’t NDIS registered.

Although this is a great option for those who are seeking more assistance with managing their plan funds, it’s normal to be looking for a more personalised solution.

NDIS plan management is a very similar way to manage your plan funds with the key differences being that is offers a more customised approach where your preferences, likes and dislikes are all taken into consideration. It also opens you up to being able to access disability support services from any provider you like!

If you’re plan-managed

Because of the nature of NDIS plan management, it’s normal for you to develop capacity over time and become more confident in looking after your plan funds with less support.

If you’re considering plan managed vs self managed ndis for your plan, a great option is to combine the two. Some aspects of your plan can be managed by your Plan Manager, such as paying invoices, whereas other aspects you can choose to manage yourself like liaising with providers and negotiating your preferred rates. It’s totally up to you and NDIS plan management gives you the freedom to be flexible. 

If you want to make the switch to being plan-managed before your regular scheduled plan review, you will need to make contact with the NDIS on 1800 800 110 and request to switch to being plan-managed. We recommend stating that you need to switch because of COVID-19 to ensure the change can be processed quickly.

To get in touch with the Disability Plan Services team about your plan management option, complete the form here.  

The post Is your NDIS Plan Management option still working for you? appeared first on Disability Plan Services.

If you have received funding for ‘Coordination of Supports’ in your first NDIS plan but aren’t sure what it means, then you’ve come to the right place! In this blog we’ll take you through the ins and outs of disability support coordination so you can go into your plan with confidence.

Disability support coordination is a NDIS support that is carried out by a Support Coordinator. Unlike funding for Plan Management, which can be requested by anyone, NDIS funding for support coordination is provided on a case by case basis, often only for temporary periods of time when you first start your plan or go through a significant change in circumstances. 

Here are some things you need to know about support coordination. 

What does a Support Coordinator do?
The primary role of an NDIS Support Coordinator is to help you understand how your NDIS plan works and put your supports into action. 

Support Coordinators are NDIS plan experts, making them the best people to speak to about your plan. Their job is to make your plan as easy to understand as possible and connect you with service providers to deliver the supports you need, in a way that works for you.

The role of a Support Coordinator is not to take away your independence, but to assist you in developing the skills you need to understand and make decisions about your plan. Receiving assistance from a Support Coordinator helps to build your independence and achieve your long-term goals. 

Another role that a Support Coordinators plays is helping you connect with the right disability support services in your local area. This is an important role as they can help to ensure that you are receiving the right disability support services for your needs.  

I have funding for Coordination of Supports, but how do I know if it’s right for me? 

There are many benefits of having access to personalised support from a qualified NDIS Support Coordinator. If you have been allocated funding for Coordination of Supports (Support Coordination) within your NDIS plan, that means your local area coordinator or NDIA representative considers this support important to help you achieve your goals. 

At Disability Plan Services, our experienced team of Support Coordinators believe that everyone has the right to make decisions about their life. Our experienced and qualified NDIS Support Coordinators care about connecting you with the best disability support services and providing you with support throughout your NDIS journey.  

Our Support Coordinators will help bring you closer to achieving your goals by ensuring your negotiating the best arrangements with your service providers, preparing you for upcoming plan reviews, and assisting you in times of need. 

To get the best out of your NDIS plan, you need to be able to understand it. That’s why Support Coordinators will communicate with you in a language that you understand, so that you make decisions about your plan.  

How can I receive NDIS funding for Support Coordination?  

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, temporary changes were made to the way NDIS funding works. These changes were implemented in March 2020 and include more flexibility with funding to make it easier for participants to access support coordination. While this temporary change is active, anyone with an NDIS plan and funding in their Core budget can access funding for support coordination. 

Normally, funding for NDIS support coordination is provided if it is deemed ‘reasonable and necessary’ to meet your goals. To be able to access the funding, NDIS participants usually must meet the following criteria: 

• You are new to the NDIS and need help understanding your plan
• You have high or complex needs
• You have just gone through or are expected to go through a considerable life event such as moving out of home for the first time
• Many of the people in your immediate family also have disabilities
• You don’t have family support nearby

For help accessing your Core budget to pay for support coordination, talk to our team today. 

The difference between Support Coordination and Plan Management

It is a common misconception that NDIS plan managers and support coordinators provide the same service. Although ultimately their objectives may be the same, how plan managers and support coordinators work with you to help achieve your goals is different.

Although plan management and support coordination is both within the category of capacity building supports, funding is allocated differently based on your needs. 

Ultimately, plan management is all about how you choose to look after your NDIS plan funding, and support coordination is getting help to put your plan into action with the right service providers. To learn more about the differences between plan management and support coordination, read our blog. 

Whether you’re looking to ask a question, request information or get some independent, honest advice – the team at Disability Plan Services is always happy to have a chat! Get in touch with our friendly team on 1800 312 870 or email info@disabilityplanservices.com.au. 

The post Everything you need to know about NDIS Support Coordination appeared first on Disability Plan Services.

A mobility aid is designed to make it easier for you to move around safely. Some mobility aids include electric scooters, power chairs, wheelchairs, and equipment for transferring into vehicles.

Specific mobility supports the NDIS will fund will differ depending on your disability and must be deemed “reasonable and necessary” to assist in your day to day life.

In this blog, we’ll cover what you need to know about mobility aids and what is funded under the NDIS. 

What are mobility aids?

A mobility aid, as defined by the NDIS, is an assistive technology (AT) that helps to improve movement that is impacted due to your disability.

Categorised as a Capital Support within your NDIS budget, mobility aids including vehicle modifications, prosthetic devices and orthotics. Home modifications are also funded within this NDIS category.

Depending on whether the specific mobility equipment you require is considered high-risk or low-risk, an AT assessment may be required before funds are released to obtain the equipment.

Some examples of low-cost, low-risk AT supports the NDIS will fund without include:

• Noise-cancelling headphones for participants with Autism to assist with limiting sensory overload
• Smart home technology for people with disabilities that impact mobility or hearing
• Mobile smart devices such as smartwatches to monitor heart rate, location and falls
• Other devices such as tablets and software that assist with communication

An AT assessment is needed when the NDIS required additional evidence to support your need to obtain certain high-risk or high-cost AT items. 

When an AT item is considered complex, or if you are purchasing it for the first time, an assessment is also required to show how it is appropriate for you and how it is needed to reach the goals within your plan. 

If you have questions about what mobility aids you can purchase using your plan funds, get in touch with the team at Disability Plan Services. 

How to access mobility aids using NDIS funding

What will NDIS fund when it comes to mobility aids? This all depends on your goals!

Because all NDIS funds are determined based on the goals you set at your planning meeting, it’s important that you clearly articulate how important it is for you to access support with mobility.

If your goal is to travel independently but your disability impacts your mobility, it’s best to state that in order to achieve your goal, you need to utilise a mobility aid such as an electric scooter.

After you have decided on the goals you want to achieve with support from the NDIS, you will receive your plan with funds for supports that help you toward reaching your goals.

For complex or high-risk mobility aids, you won’t be able to access your funding to obtain these until you receive an AT assessment from a professional such as a physiotherapist or occupational therapist. This confirms to the NDIA that the equipment is in fact required and suitable for your needs. 

In response to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the NDIA has temporarily expanded the flexible approach to purchasing low cost AT items.

According to the NDIS, participants can now use their existing NDIS funding to purchase an item if: 

• it will maintain funded NDIS supports like a program, therapy or requirement (for example physiotherapy or Auslan interpreting provided via video conferencing), and
• the provider of supports has confirmed in writing the device is necessary to continue supports and services while maintaining physical distancing requirements, and
• it is the lowest specification that will maintain funded supports, and 
• they do not already have the item, another suitable item or access to the item, and
• the item has not been funded by another service system (such as education), and 
• the item or circumstances are not specifically excluded.

The cap for the cost of AT items is $1,500 using your existing budget. 

With so much technology available that is specifically designed to help make your day-to-day life easier, there is bound to be a mobility aid or AT item that can help you achieve your goals!

If you’re unsure about whether or not to buy an AT item that you may need, you may have the option to hire or lease certain equipment. Talk to the team at Disability Plan Services about your options when it comes to acquiring AT.

At Disability Plan Services, we understand the importance of having the supports you need to achieve your goals. Our team of experienced NDIS Support Coordinators and Plan Managers know how to make the most of your NDIS plan funds. 

For more personalised information about supports the NDIS will fund using your plan funding, get in touch with us today!

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If you’re like many people and are trying to wrap your head around NDIS terminology, keep up with changes to how funding can be spent and temporary amendments for COVID-19, you aren’t alone!

In this blog we’ll discuss the two NDIA documents which are published quarterly that cover everything about supports, the NDIS Price Guide and NDIS Support Catalogue. 

NDIS Price Guide

The price guide is a national document that is updated quarterly that outlines policy information and price controls. The guide is designed to assist participants and disability support workers in understanding how price controls work for NDIS supports and services. 

Because the cost to deliver certain supports can vary between locations such as in remote areas, the price guide outlines the price controls that are in place for each type of NDIS support.

A price control is the maximum price a registered provider can charge an NDIS participant for a specific support within their plan. This is in place to ensure the NDIS is good value for money for participants. 

The NDIS price guide is most often used as a reference point for providers and for participants to understand how their plan funds are being spent.

NDIS Support Catalogue

Released at the same time as the NDIS price guide, the NDIS support catalogue lists the specific supports that have maximum prices, and also sets out other rules and support definitions.

If you’re looking for the complete list of disability supports recognised by the NDIS, this information is available on the latest NDIS support catalogue.

This document also contains a list of the NDIS support categories including a description of each support so you can identify that is claimable. 

Here is a full list of all the available NDIS support categories:

Core Supports NDIS

Capacity Building Supports 

Capital Supports

We hope this helps with your understanding of the NDIS and how your plan funding works!

If you have any questions about your plan, give us a call at Disability Plan Services on 1800 312 870 or complete the enquiry form here.

The post Understanding NDIS support categories appeared first on Disability Plan Services.

The NDIS defines goals as “what the participant wants to achieve, develop or learn.” Goal setting is an important part to creating your plan because it outlines what types of supports you will be eligible to access. 

To help you set effective goals, you will receive a planning booklet from the NDIA that guides you through the process before your planning meeting. We recommend going over this booklet with a trusted adult. Alternatively you can ask the team at Disability Plan Services to assist you.

To get you ready for setting goals in your first plan, here are the basics on goals and NDIS funding amounts.

How do NDIS goals work?

Goals are essentially things that you want to work towards with support from the NDIS and other support providers such as Disability Plan Services.

It’s important that your goals are important to you and help in your day-to-day life. Every participant’s goals will differ as they change with your personal circumstances, age and disability.

There are a number of ‘goal domains’ which are groups of similar goals. By grouping goals into these domains or categories, the NDIS can determine what supports you need to reach your goals.

Some goal domains include: Choice and control over my life, Daily life, Health and Wellbeing, Learning, Relationships, Social and Community activities, Where I live, and Work.

When deciding on your goals, your NDIA representative will ask you questions about your circumstances and what you want to achieve. 

On average, NDIS participants set around four goals for each plan with an average goal tenure of just under 20 months, however it’s best to set goals that can be achieved across a range of different time periods. 

When it comes time to review your plan, you will have the opportunity to amend your goals and set new ones. 

Funding to help reach your goals

How much funding do you get from NDIS? This is a question we hear often at Disability Plan Services and it isn’t so straightforward to answer. 

As part of your NDIS plan, you will receive funding to access support services. This NDIS funding budget is determined, in part, by your goals. 

To determine the appropriate NDIS funding amounts you need, the NDIS will consider your goals and what funded supports you need to achieve them.

For example, if your goal is to improve your ability to communicate clearly and confidently, you may receive funding for a Speech Pathologist in your plan.

Depending on your goals, you may receive funding in your plan for one or more of the following:

• Funding that covers functional support needs for daily living and participation and to access community supports and activities
• Funding that covers the purchase of one-off items such as equipment, technology and modifications, or funding for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
• Funding that supports skill building, training, learning, accessing employment, improving health & wellbeing and NDIS support coordination

Any funding that you receive in your plan must be used to access support services that are reasonable and necessary to achieve your goals.

If you believe your supports are not helping you move towards your goals, or you want to change your goals, you will need to request a plan review. Speak to the team at Disability Plan Services for help with this.

It is important to note that the NDIS will not cover any expenses that are not related to your disability, such as rent, food or your phone bill. Your plan funds are designed to assist you in living a fulfilling life and reaching your goals.

Your planning meeting is designed to help prepare you for a successful NDIS plan that includes enough funding to help you reach your goals and live a fulfilling life. There is a lot to consider before your planning meeting so it’s best to be prepared.

We’ve supported many people with disability, just like you, to be prepared for their NDIS planning meeting. If you choose to conduct your NDIS planning meeting face-to-face, you are welcome to bring a supporter with you. Having someone you trust along is a great way to make sure you haven’t forgotten to mention anything. This person can also advocate on your behalf and make sure you’re feeling safe and secure. 

If you’d like Disability Plan Services to join you at your planning meeting, contact us on 1800 312 870.

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Like any decision that impacts how you live your life, joining the NDIS may seem a little daunting at first, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right information and resources, your journey with the NDIS can be rewarding and enriching to your quality of life!

To help make your journey a smooth one, in this blog we’ve covered some of the most common questions we hear at Disability Plan Services. 

What is NDIS funding?

When first embarking on your NDIS journey, it’s normal to have questions about what NDIS funding actually is and how it works. To understand what NDIS funding is, it’s important to first understand what the NDIS is.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a single, national scheme that funds reasonable and necessary support to help people with disability in Australia to reach their goals. It also supports carers of people with disability.

If you are deemed eligible for the NDIS, you will be able to create an NDIS plan. Your plan decides how your individual funding will be allocated based on the areas of your life where you need support and what goals you want to achieve. To check your NDIS eligibility, click here. 

Because everyone is unique with different levels of ability and goals, no two plans will be the same. 

The types of supports that the NDIS may provide you with funding for within your plan include:   

• Daily personal activities
• Transport to community, social, economic and daily life activities
• Workplace funding to help you get or keep a job in the open or supported labour market
• Therapeutic supports including behaviour support
• Help with household tasks to maintain your home environment
• Professional help in arranging aids or equipment assessment, set up and training
• Home and vehicle modifications
• Mobility equipment

For an extensive list of all supports that the NDIS will fund and their descriptions, click here.

It is important to remember that not every person will receive the same funding. The NDIS will allocate funding to individuals based on their specific circumstances and any other factors such as access to informal family supports and goals. 

Goal setting is an important part of creating your plan and planning for a successful journey with the NDIS. Click here to read our blog about setting NDIS goals!

How to apply for ndis funding

After confirming your eligibility for NDIS funding, the next step is knowing how to apply for NDIS funding. The NDIS provide you with three options when applying to access funding.

1. Call the NDIS on 1800 800 110 and ask to make an Access Request
2. Complete and submit the Access Request Form and email it to NAT@dis.gov.au 
3. Contact a Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)

If you choose option 3, use the NDIS search tool here to find a LAC office near you. 

No matter which option you choose, when you apply to access the NDIS you will be required to submit supporting documentation that confirms your identity and informational, such as letters or reports, about your disability. 

For more information about the supporting information required about your disability, click here. 

Once all documentation has been successfully submitted and you are approved, you will receive an ‘access decision’ letter. This is when you are ready to create your NDIS plan!

How to create and use your NDIS plan

To create your first plan you must have a meeting with the NDIA who are responsible for administering the NDIS. This is called a ‘planning meeting’ and can be conducted either in person or over the phone – whichever options suits you best.

Along with setting goals, as mentioned above, creating your plan also involves answering questions about what other types of support you’re currently receiving from informal supports such as family members. 

You also need to make a decision about how you would like to manage the ongoing administration of your plan funds. To learn more about your options for managing your plan, click here. 

Once you have created your plan, the next step is putting your plan into action! This is the exciting part about your journey with the NDIS because it’s where you can see your supports come to life and start making a positive difference to your quality of life.

The process of connecting with service providers to deliver your supports will look a little different depending on how you choose to manage your plan. 

For helping getting started with your first plan including connecting with service providers to deliver your supports, get in touch with the team at Disability Plan Services on 0498 103 343 or email info@disabilityplanservices.com.au.  

If you have any other questions about how to start your journey with the NDIS, the team at Disability Plan Services are always available to guide you in the right direction and ensure you’re making decisions that are the best to help you achieve your goals.    

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In March, a number of changes to the way NDIS plans would be reviewed and the way that plan funds could be utilised during COVID-19 were implemented. Again from 1 July, additional changes applied including the removal of the 10 per cent price loading on certain core and capacity building supports, changes to the cancellation period policy and more.

On 2 October 2020, information from the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Stuart Robert, stated that some temporary measures will continue up to February 2021, with the NDIA and Government continuing to review these. 

In this blog, we’ll cover what the changes are and how they may affect you.

Low Cost Assistive Technology (AT)

During coronavirus, many providers and Allied Health professions have been required to think of innovative solutions to continue delivering supports to participants. Some of these methods includes online or virtual support delivery. 

These newly introduced measures have helped many NDIS participants to continue receiving their regular services, with the help of loved ones, to ensure as little disruption as possible during these unprecedented times.

To help participants continue to receive their NDIS funded supports and services during, the NDIA temporarily broadened the flexible approach to purchasing low cost AT items. This change has allowed participants to access low cost AT items, such as smart devices and fitness equipment, in consultation with their existing support providers.  

The NDIA also allowed participants to use their existing NDIS funding to purchase eligible low post AT items up to $1500.

2nd October 2020 update

Eligible NDIS participants can continue using their existing plan funding to purchase low-cost AT, including smart devices (up to $1500). 

NDIS Support coordination flexibility

Whether you already do have support coordination included in the NDIS plan or not, changes were implemented in March to allow for new and existing participants to use funding within their Core Supports budget to access these supports. 

Usually, support coordination is funded on a needs basis within the Capacity Building budget so this change allows for any NDIS participation to access support coordination easily with their Core budget. 

To allow for this flexibility, three new support coordination items were introduced to the support catalogue under Core Supports, Assistance with Daily Life.

• 01_790_0106_8_3 – Level 1: Support Connection
• 01_791_0106_8_3 – Level 2: Coordination of Supports
• 01_794_0132_8_3 – Level 3: Specialist Support Coordination

2nd October 2020 update

This improved plan flexibility to ensure participants have access to supports will continue.

Deep cleaning and additional supports for SIL arrangements

In response to COVID-19, NDIS participants can access a one-time professional deep clean through their plan funding when a support worker who has visited their home has received a positive COVID-19 diagnosis.

Participants living in Supported Independent Living (SIL) arrangements who are required to self-isolate or quarantine due to a positive COVID-19 diagnoses will also be able to access additional supports including cleaning. 

2nd October 2020 update

The NDIA will continue to allow participants to access their funds to pay for a deep cleaning of their residence in the event a support worker returns a positive COVID-19 test.

Additional support, including a deep cleaning service, for participants who test positive for COVID-19 or who are required to isolate who live in a SIL setting will also continue. 

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

New temporary measures introduced allow certain NDIS providers in restricted areas to claim the costs of PPE by directly invoicing the NDIA. Participants can also recover the costs to purchase their own PPE – including masks – using their NDIS funds, providing they live in a restricted area and receive an average of at least one hour a day of face-to-face daily living supports. 

2nd October 2020 update

Funding of PPE for participants (up to $50 a week) and workers will continue, with the ability to claim PPE in Victoria until at least the end of November and in NSW until the end of October. 

The allowed end date for claiming PPE costs in restricted areas in Queensland ended on 25 September 2020. 

The team at Disability Plan Services are experienced NDIS plan manager and support coordinators. We understand the ins and outs of the NDIS and know how to help you make the most out of your plan funds. We’re passionate about helping you to achieve your goals and live a fulfilling life. 

If you’re looking for help navigating your NDIS plan, get in touch with the team at Disability Plan Services.

The post The latest NDIS COVID-19 (coronavirus) update appeared first on Disability Plan Services.