Organise an NDIS Planning Meeting to ensure a successful NDIS Journey!

March 19, 2021

So, you’ve applied for an NDIS plan and have been approved? Congratulations! The next step on your journey is to create your plan. This is an important step as it outlines your goals and what funding you may be eligible for. 

Creating your plan is done at your NDIS planning meeting. During a meeting with your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or NDIA planner you will discuss your personal situation, your informal supports, what you do day-to-day, the areas of your life where you need support, how you want to manage your plan and most importantly, your goals.

The goals you set during your NDIS planning meeting and the decisions you make will be in place for the next 12 months, which is the standard tenure for an NDIS plan, so it’s good to be prepared and have an understanding of what you want out of your plan.

Your first meeting will take roughly 1 to 2 hours and you are welcome to bring a trusted adult along with you. Bringing someone with you that understands your needs can be a good way to ensure you cover everything that is important to you and don’t miss any details.

If you need help setting your goals, check out one of our blog posts:

• An NDIS Plan Manager’s Top Tips For Goal Setting!
• How Your Goals Affect Your NDIS Funding Amounts
• Setting Goals When Planning Your NDIS Funding

Managing your plan

An important choice you need to make during your NDIS planning meeting is how you want to manage your plan funds for the next 12 months.

There are three options to manage your NDIS funding – self-managed, plan-managed and NDIA-managed. You can also choose a combination of the three options. For example you may choose to self-manage one part of your plan to start with and have the rest managed by a plan manager. 

• Self-management – The NDIA provides you with funding so you can access the supports that will best help you achieve your goals. 

• Plan-managed funding – The NDIA will provide funding in your plan to pay for a plan manager, such as Disability Plan Services, who pays your providers for you, helps you keep track of funds and takes care of financial reporting for you. 

• NDIA-managed funding – The NDIA pays your providers on your behalf. 

If you need help deciding which option is right for you, check out one of our blog posts:

• What is the best NDIS plan management option?
• What is NDIS plan management? 
• 6 reasons to choose NDIS plan management
• NDIS plan management myth busting

Outlined in the 2013 NDIS plan management rules legislation, in some situations it may not be deemed appropriate for participants to manage funding for supports under their plan for themselves. In particular, if self-management would pose an unreasonable risk to the participant this option may not be made available.

If you are deemed unable to self-manage your NDIS plan, talk to the team at Disability Plan Services about the alternative options available to you. Contact us on 1800 312 870 or email info@disabilityplanservices.com.au.

Your plan review

After 12 months with your current plan, you will be contacted by the NDIA to conduct an NDIS plan review which allows you to evaluate how your plan went, if your funds were allocated appropriately, what changes are required and if your goals are still relevant. 

Your NDIS plan review is your opportunity to discuss how you are progressing towards your goals and make any changes necessary to your disability support services and funding. 

It is normal for your needs and goals to change over time, that’s why your plan reviews are an important way to make sure your plan is still working for you and keep you on track towards your long-term goals.

If you’re working with an NDIS Support Coordinator or Plan Manager, such as Disability Plan Services, they will help to prepare you for your plan review by collating reports from your service providers, reflecting on your goals, setting future goals and discussing with you the disability support services you are currently receiving. They can also develop a list of support services for a disability that may be suitable for your next plan. If you and your Disability Plan Services partner feel confident with your progress, you can request for your plan reviews to be up to 3 years apart.

If your circumstances change or you are not happy with how your plan is being managed you can request an early NDIS plan review. To make a special request for an early plan review, contact the NDIS on 1800 800 110. To ensure your request is processed in a timely manner we recommend stating that you need to review your plan early due to COVID-19.

To get help from a team of trusted NDIS plan management experts, contact us today.