How NDIS funding can support your child

September 14, 2020

How NDIS funding can support your child

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) supports Australians between the ages of 7 and 65 years old with a permanent or significant disability. If you care for a child above the age of 7 with a diagnosed disability and are looking for answers to your NDIS questions, you’ve come to the right place.

If your child has a permanent and significant disability that effects their day to day life, they may be eligible for NDIS funding. If they are eligible, the NDIS will provide them with funding to access supports that are deemed reasonable and necessary to help them to live a fulfilling life and reach their goals. As the primary carer of your child with disability, their NDIS funding will also support you.

If you’re just getting started on your NDIS journey, you will likely have many questions. In this blog we will cover some of the more frequently asked questions. If you have any further questions, feel free to get in touch with us here.

What is NDIS funding?

NDIS funding is money allocated to eligible Australians in order to help them meet their short, medium and long-term goals. These goals are set out within each individual’s NDIS plan.

Funding is based on what is ‘reasonable’ and ‘necessary’ to achieve individual goals, therefore it differs for everyone.

For more information about NDIS funding, read this blog post

How do I know if my child is eligible for NDIS funding?

To be eligible for NDIS funding, there are a few conditions that the NDIS require to be met.

• Eligible people must be aged between 7 and 65
• Must be an Australian citizen or a permanent visa holder
• Their permanent disability requires them to obtain support from another person
• Special equipment is required to assist with day-to-day tasks
• If you believe your child meets this criteria or would like to discuss your needs with an expert, contact Disability Plan Services.

How can my child join the NDIS?

If you’re wondering how to apply for NDIS funding for your child, don’t worry you’re not alone!

To apply for NDIS funding, your child must first meet with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). As their parent or guardian, you will need to demonstrate to the NDIA that your child has a significant and permanent disability that impacts their day to day life.

To support your application, you need written evidence and proof of your child’s disability. This can be through reports, assessments and letters from doctors or other allied health professionals.

The report from your health professional should include the following details:

• Durability of condition, e.g. is it determined to be lifelong
• How it effects the everyday life of your child
• Is there a need for additional supports such as equipment and house modifications
• How much extra support is required for daily life

Once the NDIA is satisfied, you will work on developing a personalised NDIS plan for your child that outlines their supports needs and goals to work towards. This plan is how funding is allocated.

What exactly will the NDIS fund?

The NDIS may fund a range of supports for your child depending on their needs for day to day life. Below is a generalised list of different assistance that the NDIS may support and some that they generally will not support.

What the NDIS may support:

• Daily personal activities, for example, dressing, eating and hygiene
• Transport that allows your child to participate in the community or social activities
• Workplace help which can include transport or assistance
• Therapeutic supports such as behaviour support, physiotherapy and speech therapy
• Basic aids or low cost consumables such as nappies or pads
• Mobility equipment and vehicle modifications
• Home modifications

What the NDIS usually won’t fund:

• The responsibilities of another government system or community service
• Matters not related to your child’s disability
• Day to day living costs that are not related to your child’s needs
• Anything that is likely to cause harm to your child or others

My child is under 7 years old, can I get NDIS funding?

Wondering how to apply for NDIS funding for a child 6 years or younger? Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) is your answer. ECEI is the way the NDIS can support your child aged under 7 who may have a disability or development delay.

ECEI believes early intervention services are very important in supporting younger children with disabilities. They can help your child develop the skills they need to thrive in daily activities and adapt to environments like childcare, kindergarten, and school.

Contact our team here for more information.

How can I manage my child’s NDIS plan?

There are a few different ways to manage your child’s NDIS plan and it is important to choose the option best for your family.

Agency-managed

• You will be limited to choosing only registered NDIS service providers
• You may not be able to work with your preferred service provider
• Use an online portal to track your budget
• Prices paid to service providers are non-negotiable

Self-managed

• You must appoint your own support services and liaise with providers
• You pay for your services directly
• Extensive record-keeping is required
• You must access the online portal to complete online forms each time you pay someone
• Can be more time-consuming for you

Managed by a registered, third-party Plan Manager

• No extra cost to you – simply ask for additional budget for a registered Plan Management provider
• They pay bills on your behalf and handle all record-keeping
• They manage your budget and keep you informed of any remaining or low funds
• They provide you with tailored advice on how you should/can be spending your budget to maximise services
• They help you prepare for NDIS plan reviews
• They liaise with service providers on your behalf and can negotiate better rates
• They help you to navigate the NDIS in simple language you can understand

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 you and your child’s needs.

To learn more about Disability Plan Services please call us on 1800 312 870 or email info@disabilityplanservices.com.au.