NDIS

In order for support or service, to be considered reasonable and necessary, it must be:

• related to the individual’s disability
• must not include costs, that are not related to a participant’s support needs.
• should be effective and align with participant’s goals.
• must represent value for money
• should also take into account, the support provided by family, carers and government agencies.

Your Support Coordinator, Early Childhood Partner, or LAC will help you understand and start your NDIS plans.

They can support you with:

• Understanding your NDIS plan, and what supports you can pay for with your allocated NDIS funds.
• Connecting you with the right supports and providers to help you make the best use of your NDIS funding.
• Help you put service bookings and service agreements in place with your providers.
• Help you connect with the community and other government services.
• Be your point of contact for any questions, or concerns you may have, including any life changes or transitions.

The information you provide to the NDIS planner will help you build an NDIS plan to access the type and amount of support you need as a participant. You will be required to complete Planning – Booklet 2 before your planning meeting. You may also bring any medical reports or assessments to help your planner, understand your life goals and unmet needs in your current life.

You may attend your planning meeting either in person or via phone, the best possible way to ensure you communicate your current needs and goals effectively. Make sure you discuss your life goals including personal, health, social and career goals to your NDIA planner, LAC or early childhood partner.

There are three ways to manage your NDIS funding:

• Self – Managed Funding – An individual receives funding from NDIS to self-manage their NDIS plan by paying their own invoices.
• Plan Managed Funding – An individual works with a registered provider, also a plan manager to manage their NDIS funding. The funds allocated for plan management are excluded from the allocated funding to you.
• NDIA Managed Funding – An individual can choose for NDIA to pay all their invoices and manage their funding.

You may either choose one of the following options or combine the two options. For instance, you may choose to manage a part of your plan and the rest have it managed by the NDIA.

In most cases, an individual’s funding may NOT roll over to your new plan. However, a participant’s plan and funding are reviewed every 12 months.

A type of capacity-building support, that helps individuals make the best use of their NDIS supports by:

• Understanding and implementing their NDIS plan
• Connecting you with providers, community and government services
• Coordinating your NDIS supports to manage your life as independently as possible.

There are three forms of Support Coordination that can be included in your plan:

• Support Connection – Building a participant’s ability to connect with kinds of informal, and community supports to make the best possible use of their plan.
• Support Coordination – The participant works with a support coordinator to ensure a combination of supports is provided to the participant. Supporting participants to increase their social connections, community participation and live more independently as possible.
• Specialist Support Coordination - Individuals with high care or complex needs may need support from a specialist support coordinator. Supporting the participant to manage challenging situations, while ensuring proactive service delivery.