The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is mainly responsible for deciding what supports and services are financially supported under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). However, there are some things that the NDIA does not fund, which third-party providers also must observe. Today’s article contains information and resources to help you understand what the NDIA will and won’t fund and what payments an NDIS provider in Sydney can and can’t process.
How Do the NDIA and NDIS Fund?
Three types of support budgets can be included in your NDIS plan: core, capacity building, and capital support. Your NDIS provider will create a custom plan for you with budget categories and funding connected to achieving your goals and supporting you in your everyday life.
- Core support: The core budget is the money set aside to help you with everyday tasks and expenses related to your plan and goals in life. This is where your career, support worker, cleaning, and other regular costs will be covered. The core budget is usually flexible, which means you can spend it however you want between the different categories.
- Capital support: The capital support budget pays for products and services to help reduce the impact of your disability. This budget is not very flexible and usually covers specific items discussed in your planning meeting and have been approved in your plan by the NDIA, such as assistive technology and home modifications.
- Capacity building support: The capacity building support budget is a pool of money to help you improve your skills and reach your goals. Its inclusions are support coordination, increased social and community participation, improved relationships, health and well-being, learning, life choices, and daily living, to name a few.
First, Would They Fund It?
If you must know whether or not the NDIS would fund a certain support or service, the best starting point is the NDIS’ ‘Would we fund it‘ guidelines. These guidelines cover everything from assistive technology and consumables to improved health and well-being and mainstream support. By looking at these guidelines, you can get a good idea of what the NDIS and—by extension—your NDIS provider does and does not fund.
Second, Is It Reasonable and Necessary?
For something to be considered reasonable and necessary by the NDIS, it must first be a type of support that can, by law, be funded or provided. This means that it must be essential for the individual to be able to participate in the community and live a fulfilling life. In addition, support must be considered necessary for the individual to reach their goals and achieve their desired outcomes.
The NDIS will consider the information you provide about your circumstances and the funding criteria in this guideline to determine whether support is reasonable and necessary for you.
Aside from the ‘Would we fund it’s guidelines, the NDIS also has a page dedicated to reasonable and necessary expenditures here.
In Closing
Discernment is key in properly spending funding for your NDIS provider. Avoid wasted time, effort, and unnecessary headaches by finding out straight from the NDIA what they do and do not fund.
Contact OSAN ABILITY for Immediate Assistance
Get support, accommodations, and more for disabilities with OSAN ABILITY. We’re an NDIS-approved provider in Sydney that’s helped countless patients and their families live with a sense of dignity and well-being. Inquire now at 1300-799-941 or visit our website to learn more!
