So you may have heard people talking about the NDIS, but you don’t really know much about them, what services and support are offered and how to find out if you are eligible. Well here is a quick rundown of the most common questions people want to know when they contact the NDIS or a service provider like ConnectAbility.
What is the NDIS?
The National Disability Insurance scheme (NDIS) was create in 2013. It began the full roll out in 2016 and it currently assists around 4.3 million Australians who have a disability. The NDIS is not a welfare scheme; it designed to help support people, giving them the necessary skills to help them live a more independent life. The hope is that introducing this scheme will provide people with choice and control on how to funds are spent, so they suit their individual needs. After all, having a disability is not a one size fits all type of scenario.
Who is eligible for NDIS?
Eligibility for the NDIS depends on a couple of different criteria,
- You must be aged between 7 and 65
- You must live in Australia and have Australian residency
- Do you require a support person to help because of a permanent or significant disability?
- Do you use special equipment because of a permanent or significant disability?
- Do you need to extra support now to reduce your future needs?
If you answer yes to these questions, then you may be eligible for NDIS assistance. Click here to apply.
How does it work?
If you are eligible for NDIS then the next step is to create your individual NDIS plan. Meeting with a NDIS planner, LAC or a coordination of support will help with creating your own unique plan.
This plan is a written agreement which is draft up with your input, as each plan is individual you will be asked a series of questions regarding different areas of your life, your goals and what you plan to achieve, and how additional support can help with this,.
Once your plan is complete, its time to start putting it to use. ConnectAbility can assist in making these plans become part of your everyday life and help get you moving towards your goals.
Checklist:
- Read and understanding your plan
Register for myGov and link to NDIS participant portal my plan - Connect with the person who will assist with starting your plan.
What Supports and Services are available through the NDIS?
There are a variety of different support and services that are funded by the NDIS. Here are some of the main services available.
- Daily personal activities
- Transport to and from activities
- Therapeutic support
- Help with daily household tasks
- Mobility equipment
- Vehicle modifications
- Home modifications, design, and constructions
To view a more in depth list please visit: https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/creating-your-plan/plan-budget-and-rules
What is your Local Area Coordinator?
Local Area Coordinators (LAC) are an important part of the NDIS, as they work with individuals, so they make the most of the NDIS services, and introduce those to activities and support services in their local community.
How will my funding be managed?
There are 3 different ways your NDIS plan can be managed;
- Your plan is managed by someone from the NDIA
- Your plan is managed by a Plan Manger
- You manage your NDIS plan
ConnectAbility Australia is a registered service provider through the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and can offer services and support such as a Coordination of support, Our team are able to assist with your NDIS application, and once your plan is approved we can help you to understanding your budget, how to start using your plan and managing it.
Still have more questions? Call us on 02 4962 1000 and speak with our friendly team who will be able to help support and guide you through the process.
NDIS Keywords
- Permanent and significant disability: A permanent disability means your disability is likely to be lifelong. A significant disability has a substantial impact on your ability to complete everyday tasks.
- Support and Services: Assistance or products that help a person in their daily life and help them participate in the community and reach their goals.
- Early intervention: Providing support to a person, either a child or an adult as early as possible to reduce the impacts of a disability or developmental delay and to build their skills and independence.
*Disclosure: The information provided in this article is intended for informational purposes only and is subject to change without prior notice.
