Table of Contents
What is the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)?
Introduction
What is the National Disability Insurance Scheme? It is a nationwide program that both assists and subsidises the Australians living with disability. The main task of the NDIS was to be able to empower people and make them independent, which it is only able to do by ensuring that participants are given an opportunity to access care, services, and resources, which may lead to them living a better life.
As we are now well into the calendar year of 2019, it is time to discuss what the NDIS is, how it can help you or someone you care about, and how it can work.
Who is Eligible for the NDIS?
To be eligible to apply for the NDIS, you need to tick a few boxes:
- Aged 9 to 65 years
- You live in Australia and are an Australian citizen, permanent visa holder, or Protected Special Category Visa holder.
- Have a permanent and significant disability that affects your daily life
NDIS eligibility also takes into account whether the disability is likely to be permanent and the extent to which it affects your capacity to care for yourself, perform social or economic participation functions, or live independently.
Functional impact of the disability is also a criterion for eligibility. This can be anything relating to communication, mobility, self-care, socialising, learning, or self-management.
If you’re unsure, Care Compatible will let you know whether they can help you find out if you’re eligible and apply.
How to Access the NDIS
Accessing the NDIS involves a step-by-step process:
-
Check Eligibility:
Go online to visit the NDIS or talk to a Local Area Coordinator (LAC). -
Submit an Access Request:
Submit reports, medical reports, and evaluations. -
Planning Meeting:
You will speak about your needs, intentions, and what kind of help will be useful to you. -
NDIS Plan Approval:
You will be issued with your plan that will contain your NDIS funding and what you can spend it on. -
Start Accessing Services:
Choose the right support providers and begin your journey.
For those under 9, access to early intervention supports is available to children and families through the Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) pathway without needing a formal NDIS plan in some cases.
The procedure may seem a little overwhelming, but with the support of a credible NDIS provider such as Care Compatible, it can be made easier.
What Does NDIS Funding Cover?
NDIS funding is personalised. It is meant to pay for services and supports thought to be reasonable and necessary to enable you to live a normal life.
Here’s what’s typically covered:
Core Supports
- Personal care (showering, dressing, toileting)
- Transport to appointments or community activities
- Support with household tasks like cleaning or meal prep
- Consumables (continence products, low-cost assistive items)
Capacity Building Supports
- Occupational therapy, psychology, speech therapy
- Social and communication skills development
- Help finding and keeping a job
- Training to increase independence and daily living skills
Capital Supports
- Such mobility devices as wheelchairs or gaiters
- Home modifications (like bathroom rails, ramps, or kitchen adjustments)
- Assistive technologies, including communication devices
Each of the supports has to be linked closely to the disability of the participant, and it should not be covered under any other form of government programme like Medicare or the funding of education.
The plan can incorporate one, two, or all three of the categories, which are dependent on your needs and those related to NDIS participant goals.
Understanding Your NDIS Plan
Once approved, your NDIS plan becomes your guide. It shows
- What you’re funded for
- What goals you’re working towards
- How the funding is managed
You can choose to manage your plan in three ways:
- Self-managed: You pay and claim from the NDIS yourself
- Plan-managed: A professional handles finances on your behalf
- NDIA-managed: The NDIA pays providers directly
The plan contains long- and short-term objectives, and it is necessary to update your objectives so as to make them timely. This facilitates monitoring progress and makes it possible to ask for your supports to be changed.
Need help understanding your plan? Care Compatible can explain your plan clearly and help you put it into action.
Choosing the Right NDIS Providers
With your plan in place, the next step is choosing providers. The NDIS gives you the freedom to choose services that suit you best.
Here’s what to consider when selecting NDIS registered providers:
- Experience with your disability or support needs
- Flexibility in scheduling and service delivery
- A person-centred, respectful approach
- Location, e.g., if you need help with disability in Melbourne, then using a local provider such as Care Compatible will help you better obtain help and support
It is a nice idea to read the reviews, pose questions, and even test some of the services beforehand. You must at all times be respected, heard and feel safe.
Care Compatible assist members in the city of Melbourne providing dependable, quick and culturally friendly healthcare according to the individuals scenario.
Support Coordination: Making Your Plan Work for You
If you receive funding for support coordination, you’ll have someone by your side to help you:
- Understand and navigate your NDIS plan
- Connect with services aligned with your goals
- Organise appointments and monitor your supports
- Prepare for plan reviews and changes
Support coordinators assist you to gain capacity in managing your supports more independently of them time and time again so that you can become more in charge of your life.
At Care Compatible, our support coordinators are trained to help you achieve your NDIS participant goals step by step. We aim to reduce the stress of managing your plan so you can focus on what truly matters.
Role of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)
The organ that is in charge of the running of the NDIS is the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). They direct applications, approve plans, and assure standards in quality in the scheme.
Key NDIA responsibilities include:
- Reviewing and approving NDIS plans
- Determining funding amounts
- Ensuring providers meet guidelines and standards
- Offering resources to help participants make informed choices
The NDIA does not provide direct services but is a critical part of the process of making the scheme both fair and efficient and opening it up to eligible Australians with disabilities.
Final Thoughts: Empowering Lives Through the NDIS
The NDIS is about more than just money, it’s about giving people with a disability the chance to live life their way. Participants receive tailored support to regain confidence and quality of life and become more included in the community.
The emphasis is always on goals, for better or worse, whether it’s acquiring new skills, getting a job, making social connections, or living with dignity. With the help of our NDIS support services, we encourage participants to lead themselves towards independence and help them along the way.
Curious about what the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is and how to get started? Care Compatible is here to assist you in all aspects of the process, from applying and planning to success.
FAQs
What is the main purpose of the NDIS?
To offer finances and services to help individuals with disabilities live their lives more independently, incorporate themselves in their communities, and reach their personal goals.
Can I choose my personal NDIS providers?
Yes. NDIS is founded on choice and control, and therefore you have a choice on who to provide your supports and how they should be provided.
How long does it take to get NDIS approval?
It is possible to reassess the plan when there is a change in circumstances or goals at any time.
What if my needs change after getting an NDIS plan?
It is possible to reassess the plan when there is a change in circumstances or goals at any time.
Who helps me manage my plan?
You can manage it yourself, choose a plan manager, or let the NDIA manage it for you. You may also get support coordination to help with daily management.
Does the NDIS cover mental health conditions?
That is, yes, provided one considers the mental health condition something permanent or highly influential upon your (daily) life, you can be a candidate to receive NDIS support.