What is Supported Independent Living NDIS?

June 12, 2020

What is Supported Independent Living NDIS?

Supported independent living (SIL) is the name of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funding that provides support to eligible people with disability to enable them to live as independently as possible.

Funding for SIL is usually provided to people who need 24/7 support while living in a shared home, however, you may still be eligible if you have lower support needs or live in a different type of housing, such as with your family.

We all aspire to live our lives on our own terms with choice and control over where we live and what we choose to do. This is no different for people living with disability.

The NDIS exists to provide all Australians, who are aged under 65 with permanent disability, with the reasonable and necessary supports they need to live an ordinary life.

At Disability Plan Services, we aspire to go above and beyond this. We aim to improve the quality of life for people with disability by providing a safe space for people to ask questions about their NDIS plan, receive assistance with managing their plan and be connected to service providers to deliver the supports they require.

In this article, we cover what supported independent living NDIS supports can be funded within your plan and how these supports can be delivered to you.

What supported independent living NDIS services are funded?

Depending on the level of support you require, a wide range of SIL supports may be included in your NDIS plan. Although most supports are delivered inside your home, some may also be delivered within the community, depending on your personal goals and plan inclusions.

Some of the supported independent living NDIS services include:

• Support with daily life skills including cooking, doing laundry, cleaning, and garden and home maintenance
• Personal care such as showering, toileting and dressing
• Overnight support (for those with higher level needs)
• Participation in activities such as sports, community access and other recreational activities
• Development of social, relationship and communication skills
• Help with budgeting, including managing and paying expenses

What are the levels of supported independent living NDIS?

There are three levels of SIL funding, each depending on the level of support required and the participants care needs. Usually delivered by an independent support worker NDIS, there are three levels of support for SIL which are categorised by the NDIS as:

• Lower needs – This low level of support is usually not provided 24/7 and includes regular supervision of living arrangements.
• Standard needs – This level of support is available 24/7 and includes overnight support and the supervision of most day-to-day tasks.
• Higher needs – This is the highest level of SIL available and includes continual active support with day and night activities. This level is often only required by those with high medical needs or complex behavioural disabilities.

If you don’t currently have funding for SIL within your plan but think you may be eligible, speak to the team at Disability Plan Services today. Our experienced plan managers can determine if you may be eligible and organise a plan review to have funding for SIL included in your plan.

What are the NDIS Supported Independent Living housing options?

Often delivered to people with disability living within shared accommodation, independent living support services are designed to help adults and young people with disability to build their living skills.

There are many benefits to sharing a home when receiving funding for SIL. Some of these benefits include:

• Sharing the cost of rent. When you aren’t living alone out of home, you can divide the living expenses with other people, including the rent, electricity charges, rates, water usage, internet and other household expenses.
• The cost of some disability supports can also be shared if multiple household members are receiving the same supports.
• You have the company of another person and can share household responsibilities.

SIL funding can also be used in a number of other living situations such as Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), a private rental, Government housing, a house that you own or another form of group accommodation.

Have more questions about supported independent living? The team at Disability Plan Services understand the NDIS and can help you to get the most out of your plan.

If you already have funding in your plan for supported independent living, Disability Plan Services can help to ensure you are receiving the best possible supports in your chosen living arrangements.

If you think you may need supported independent living but don’t currently have funding in your plan for it, we can help you to request a plan review and ask for funding to be added to your plan.