Three Important Things You Should Know About the NDIS
The National Disability Insurance Scheme was launched in 2016 as a successor to the National Disability Agreement (NDA). The NDA, although a good initiative, had some critical flaws. The government had given contracts out to several disability service providers with different standards of services. People didn’t get to pick their service providers, and once appointed, it would take a long time before they could change providers.
With the NDIS, the government is changing its model by providing direct funding for people with disabilities. Although the amount of funding varies, the average funding provided so far stands at around $40,000 per year:
Who’s the NDIS for?
According to the official website, to be eligible for the NDIS, a person has to be:
- Between the ages of seven (7) to sixty-five (65)
- An Australian citizen or someone with a permanent or special category visa
- Someone who needs support due to a permanent or significant disability
- Someone who needs special equipment due to a permanent or significant disability
- Someone who needs some financial support to reduce their future needs
If your case doesn’t fall within the purview of the NDIS, other initiatives may benefit you. You can check them here.
How can I apply?
If you’re sure that you, or any of your loved ones, meet the requirements of the NDIS, you can call their hotline 1800 800 110 to make an Access Request.
You can also download an Access Request Form from their website. The form requires you to provide information like your name, place of residence, caregiver details, nature of the disability, and your preferred mode of contact with the NDIS. You’ll also be required to give the government consent to collect and share your information. If you’ve done any tests concerning your condition, you can attach the results to the form.
Once you’re done with the form, you can submit via email or post and wait for the approval. After approval has been given, you’ll be scheduled for a planning meeting. This scheduling can take a couple of months, so you’ll have to be patient.
What’s covered under the NDIS?
Is house cleaning included in NDIS supports?As was highlighted earlier, the NDIS uses a direct cash transfer to provide help to disabled people. However, the funds can’t be spent indiscriminately. The allocation of funds is typically done during the planning meeting. There, you meet with a planner who will ask several questions to determine what parts of your life require funding.
There are three types of budgets that the NDIS funds:
- Core budget: for activities that have to do with daily sustenance, e.g., buying groceries, daily assistance, transportation, etc.
- Capacity-building budget: based on plans directed at improving the quality of life of the person
- Capital support budget: for those that need assistive technologies and home modifications
Conclusion
The NDIS is a welcome development for disabled people that have been typically overlooked by society. If you’re yet to sign up, it’s essential to get it started as soon as possible. The wait can be painstakingly long, but it’s definitely worth it.
