There are around 4.3 million Australians who have a disability. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is Australia’s latest support system for people aged under 65 with a permanent and significant disability, which affects their ability to take part in everyday activities.
The NDIS was established in response to a 2011 Productivity Commission report by the Australian Government which found disability services were underfunded, unfair, fragmented and inefficient.
The commission recommended a new system of flexible individual funding packages that could be used to purchase disability supports.
How does the NDIS help people with a Permanent Disability?
Through funding for supports and services, the NDIS is helping people live more independently in several ways by:
- Finding ongoing employment
- Achieving their personal goals and aspirations
- Connecting to social and community groups
How does the NDIS Scheme Work?
The NDIS provides people with information and connections to services in their communities such as doctors, sporting clubs, support groups, libraries and schools. If you are eligible for the NDIS and have received your ‘access decision’ letter, the next step is creating your NDIS plan.
Your plan is a written agreement worked out for you. Everyone has a different plan depending on their individual needs and circumstances in life like your personal goals and what you’d like to achieve.
There are four plan management options to choose from:
1. Agency Managed
Agency managed plans are managed directly by the NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency). The NDIA is then responsible for directly paying providers for any equipment or services you book with them.
2. Self-Managed
If you feel confident in organising your own services, you can choose to manage your own plan yourself. You are responsible for the funding in your plan and will need to manage receipts, invoices and bookings yourself.
3. Plan Managed
You can opt for a third party to manage your plan on your behalf as a ‘plan manager.’ This could be an accountant or a plan management organisation. You will have to pay a fee to your plan manager for their services but it’s also possible to receive funding in your plan for plan management.
4. A combination of the Above
You may choose a combination of the above if for example you want to self-manage your equipment budget, but you want to leave service bookings and payments to someone else.
Who is Eligible for the NDIS?
To be eligible to access the NDIS you must:
Have a permanent disability which significantly impacts your daily activities
- Be under 65 years of age
- Be an Australian citizen, resident or permanent visa holder
- Meet the individual eligibility requirements determined by the NDIA
To check whether you’re eligible, you can review the eligibility checklist on the NDIS online.
What does the NDIS Cover in Funding?
Your funding limit is based on what is reasonable and necessary for your needs, in addition to the support provided by family, friends and other community and government services that you need to live your life and achieve your goals. Core support budgets are flexible depending on which areas you need to focus on more. Core Budgets cover:
- Daily Activities e.g. assistance with household cleaning
- Consumables e.g. everyday items you may need such as continence pads or mobility aids
- Social Community and Civic Participation e.g. a support worker to assist you with socialising
- Transport e.g. modes of getting to work (this varies from person to person)
What Products can I access under the NDIS through Life Mobility?
The NDIS covers mobility equipment and aids to help you get about more easily. This includes:
- Mobility Scooters & Powerchairs
- Wheelchairs & Ramps
- Walking Aids
- Lifters & Transfer Aids
- Bathroom & Toilet Aids
- Pressure Care Aids
- Compression & Protective Garments
Life Mobility works closely with the NDIS to help customers receive the right mobility products to improve their lifestyle. If you have an NDIS plan, fill out our enquiry form online, contact our team or visit us in store to find out more information about our products.
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