Your step-by-step guide to accessing NDIS support

December 6, 2021

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) exists to provide individualised support for Australians with a disability. If you think you’re eligible to receive NDIS support, but haven’t investigated it further, we break down the steps you need to take to begin your NDIS journey.

Step 1: Assess your eligibility for NDIS support

While the NDIS funds over 400,000 participants annually, there is still strict eligibility criteria to meet before you’re able to access NDIS support. If you’re unsure of your eligibility, visit the NDIS website and fill out their short questionnaire before proceeding to the next step.  

Step 2: Fill out an Access Request Form

Once you’ve determined that you’re eligible, you will need to complete an Access Request Form which is available to be downloaded from the NDIS website. This form will ask you for information about yourself, where you live, your legal guardian and your disability. The Access Request Form is quite lengthy, and you may need help to understand or fill out the form. 

Once you’ve completed this form, you will need to return it to the NDIS via email, post, or your closest National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) office. 

Step 3: Prepare for a planning meeting

Once the NDIA has reviewed and accepted your Access Request Form, you’ll be invited to attend an NDIS planning meeting either in person, online or via telephone. This meeting delves a little deeper into who you are, what supports you’re currently accessing and what support you might need from various NDIS providers in the future to help you achieve your goals. 

The NDIA understands that this type of meeting can be overwhelming, so if you’d like to bring a support along to the meeting such as a family member, friend, or Support Coordinator, you’re encouraged to do so. 

Step 4: Consider utilising a plan manager 

By now, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed on your journey to obtaining NDIS support – which is completely normal. If you’re beginning to feel stressed about your NDIS journey, it’s a great idea to ask for a plan manager during your planning meeting. With no out of pocket costs required to hire one, a plan manager can help you make the most out of your funding, negotiate rates with NDIS providers, keep track of your funds and budgeting to ensure you don’t overspend or underspend. 

An NDIS plan manager can assist you with the following tasks: 

• Paying bills handling all record-keeping
• Managing your budget and keeping track of your spending 
• Providing you with tailored advice on how you can spend your budget to maximise services
• Preparing you for NDIS plan reviews (once your NDIS plan is approved, you’re required to attend a review meeting every 12 months)
• Liaising with NDIS providers on your behalf and negotiating better rates
• Helping you to navigate the NDIS in simple language you can understand

If you choose to self-manage your plan instead, be prepared to understand what tasks you’ll be responsible for. Without a plan manager, you will be in charge of paying for your services directly, record keeping, and appointing your own supports. If you think a self-managed plan is not the right path for you, why not reach out to Disability Plan Services? Our highly experienced team can help manage your NDIS plan and make your NDIS journey as seamless as possible. You can learn more about our experience and plan management services here. 

Step 5: Get started on your NDIS journey!

Now that you’ve received your plan and have chosen whether you’re going to self-manage it or hire a plan manager, you’re ready to kickstart your NDIS journey! Even after you’ve received your funding, you may still have questions about what the NDIS will fund, or what some of the NDIS plan management terminology means. For those with lingering questions, the good news is there’s plenty of resources to rely upon, such as:

1. The Disability Plan Services website. We some of the commonly asked questions we receive from other NDIS participants and answer them in easy-to-understand blogs. We also share real stories of our clients and helpful guides. You can read all our blogs here. 
2. The NDIS website. This website tackles everything from the basics, right through to complex questions about planning reviews, working with providers and the NDIS and supported employment. You can access their website here.
3. If you’ve decided to use a plan manager, reach out to them! After all, it’s what they’re there for – to answer your questions and make your NDIS journey as easy as possible. 

The team at Disability Plan Services have the real-world knowledge and experience to help you kickstart and thrive in your NDIS journey. If you’ve got questions about funding, eligibility, plan management or more, get in touch by calling 1800 312 870 or email info@disabilityplanservices.com.au.