With over 4.3 million Australians having a disability that has been increasing since the launch especially in the past 5 years. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) would need to provide $22 billion in funding a year to an estimated 500,000 Australians who come under permanent and significant disability.
The NDIS provides all people with disability with connections and information to services in their communities such as support groups, doctors, sporting clubs, libraries and schools, as well as information about what kind of support is provided by the states and union territories. For several people, it would be the very first time that they would receive the incapacity support they have.
NDIS has eligibility criteria and everyone has to undergo a process in order to receive NDIS funding and this funding differs with each case. In order to know if you can receive a funding make sure to contact a NDIS provider if you fit in the following criteria.
- Are you aged between 7 and 65?
- Do you live in Australia or have Australian Permanent residency or citizenship ?
- Do you require support from someone because of a permanent and significant disability?
- Do you use special equipment due to a permanent or significant disability?
- Do you require some support now to reduce your future needs?
Once you meet the requirements of NDIS, you must contact a support coordinator who would help you formulate a plan. When your plan is approved and developed, you need to find an NDIS provider, this provider can be registered or non-registered. Choosing a registered coordinator would be beneficial as they can provide quality services as NDIS approved providers go under rigorous audits to make sure that the services provided reach the utmost quality and consistency at all times.
Here are some tips after you prepare a plan-
- Understand your plan – There is a huge chance you might not understand your plan and would get confused. Take a step back and understand it. Contact your plan manager or a trusted family member/friend to know what services are funded.
- Share the plan only if you wish – this can be an awfully important point, the plan belongs to you. You’ll choose who you share your plan with. You do not need to share your plan with anyone if you don’t want to. That said, most participants will share their plan with their relations and repair providers to form sure they’re getting the simplest support.
- Understanding different funding categories – The NDIS plan can be divided into 3 main categories of support : core, capital and capacity building.
- Core – They are for your daily life and the funding is flexible. It helps provide assistance with daily life, transportation, consumables, society and community participation
- Capital – They are funding for equipment and funding is very rigid. It helps with assistance technology and home
- Capacity building – It can be used to develop life skills and the funding is somewhat flexible. It helps with coordination of support, improved living conditions, finding and keeping a job and improving relationships, life choices, learning and daily skills.
- Think it through – Now it’s up to you to think about how you might like to use those funds. You have got ultimate control over which services you buy and who provides them. (This would also include working with your nearby service providers who determine what can be provided.)
- Choose your service provider – How do you choose one? There are thousands of them available. You deserve the right to feel respected by your chosen providers and communication is the key so make sure to ask questions. You can tell your providers how you would like to be communicated with and other things that are important to you when you are receiving support. Involve a support coordinator or relative as well. See what services they provide and how those services can benefit you.
- Make agreements – Service Agreements are different from your NDIS Plan. An NDIS Plan lists your supports, and your Service Agreement outlines how they’re going to be delivered.
- Get ready to undertake new things – NDIS is about making life better and more interesting. you’ll get help from the NDIS to do new things, explore your interests and meet new people. New things you can try are volunteering at a sports club or signing up to an art class or a walking group, or even just to see family more often. NDIS would help you build your social skills and get involved with community groups as it introduces you to more people like you.
If you are looking for assistance regarding your plan or finding a provider, contact NDIS service providers or, feel free to call us at 1300 799 941
