The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding to help individuals with disabilities increase their independence, inclusion, and social and economic participation. Understanding what the NDIS funds and how you can spend your funding flexibly is key to making the most of your plan.
What the NDIS Funds
The NDIS funds supports that are considered reasonable and necessary. To qualify, supports must meet the following criteria:
- Related to your disability: The support must directly address your disability.
- Goal-oriented: It should help you pursue your personal goals.
- Barrier reduction: The support should reduce disability-related barriers and enhance social and economic participation.
- Value for money: The support should be cost-effective, considering both benefits and alternatives.
- Proven benefit: There must be evidence that the support is beneficial.
- Complement existing supports: It should complement the informal support you receive from family, friends, and the community.
- Appropriate funding: The support should be funded by the NDIS, not another agency or system.
Types of Funded Supports
The NDIS may fund various supports, including:
- Daily personal activities
- Transport for community and daily life participation
- Workplace assistance for employment
- Therapeutic supports like behaviour support
- Household tasks to maintain your home
- Aids or equipment assessment and training
- Home modifications
- Mobility equipment
- Vehicle modifications
What NDIS Won’t Fund
The NDIS won’t fund supports that:
- Cause harm to you or others
- Aren’t related to your disability
- Are considered everyday living costs (e.g., food, rent)
- Duplicate other NDIS supports
- Are against the law
- Replace income
- Should be provided by other systems, like education or state government
For detailed information about what NDIS covers, visit the NDIS website.
Flexible Spending in Your NDIS Plan
NDIS funding is designed to give you choice and control over how you access the supports you need. Here’s how you can use your funding flexibly:
- Core Supports: These funds are flexible and can be used across a range of supports to help with everyday activities, social participation, and independence. You can allocate these funds to personal care, transport, consumables, and assistance with social and community participation.
- Capacity Building Supports: These funds are allocated to help you build skills and achieve long-term goals. This might include support coordination, training, and employment-related support.
- Capital Supports: These funds are typically for higher-cost items like assistive technologies, home, and vehicle modifications. While less flexible, they are essential for significant improvements to your living conditions and mobility.
Making the Most of Your NDIS Plan
At Marvel Care Australia, we offer training to help participants and workers understand how to utilise NDIS funding effectively. Register for our next Free Information Session. Remember, you have choice and control over your NDIS plan within the guidelines.
For further assistance, contact your NDIA Planner, Local Area Coordinator (LAC), or Support Coordinator.
Interested in how Marvel Care Australia can help you maximise your plan?
Contact Marvel Care Australia today.