Individuals with disabilities encounter numerous challenges on a daily basis concerning social engagement, employment, education, communication, transportation, and overall well-being. Nevertheless, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has proven to be instrumental in enhancing the lives of countless Australians with disabilities and helping them achieve their full potential since its inception.
Acquiring the knowledge to effectively manage your NDIS plan holds great significance because the funding you receive will depend on your disability, needs, and goals. BridgesCare can assist you in navigating the process, ensuring that the allocated funding aligns perfectly with your individual needs and goals.
There are currently three ndis funding options available:
The Three Ndis Funding Supports
Within the framework of the NDIS, participants have access to three distinct types of budget support: Core, Capital, and Capacity Building. These options allow individuals to choose the most suitable support depending on their specific goals and aspirations.
NDIS funding is allocated based on what is deemed reasonable and necessary for achieving the participant’s objectives. These goals may encompass various aspects such as education, communication, employment, transportation, social engagement, independence, living arrangements, and overall health and well-being. The support provided should fulfill the following criteria:
- Facilitate the pursuit of their goals, objectives, and aspirations.
- Foster the development of their skills and abilities to actively participate in the community.
- Enhance their level of independence.
- Encourage greater social and economic involvement.
Core Support – Ndis funding
The core support budget stands out as the most flexible category, encompassing a wide range of assistance such as daily living support, transportation aid, provision of essential consumables, and support for social and community engagement.
Within this category, participants can access assistance for various self-care activities throughout the day and evening, receive transportation support if they face challenges using public transport due to their disability, purchase essential items required for daily living, and obtain support to actively participate in social or recreational activities.
The budget allocated for core support is divided across four sub-categories, allowing for adaptability and customization. However, it’s important to note that the core support budget cannot be reallocated to other purposes within the budget.
Capital Support – Ndis funding
Under the Capital Support category, participants can access funding for assistive technologies, equipment, home and car modifications, as well as capital costs. Additionally, the NDIS may cover the assessment, delivery, adjustment, maintenance, and set-up costs associated with this budget support. It’s essential to utilize these funds only for the specific purposes outlined in the participant’s plan and refrain from using them for other expenses not specified in the plan.
Capacity Building Support – Ndis funding
Finally, the Capacity Building category encompasses a variety of supports aimed at empowering participants to enhance their independence and skills. This category is further divided into eight sub-categories, each catering to specific aspects:
- Choice and control: This includes training in planning and management to enable individuals to take charge of their NDIS journey effectively.
- Daily activity: Participants can access therapy to build their capacity for active community engagement and daily living.
- Employment: Support is provided through assessments and counseling to assist individuals in seeking suitable employment opportunities.
- Health and well-being: Exercise and therapy options are available to promote overall health and well-being.
- Living arrangements: Participants can receive modifications to their accommodations, enabling them to perform household activities efficiently.
- Lifelong learning: This sub-category focuses on facilitating continuous learning and personal development.
- Relationships: Behavior support and management are offered to promote positive interactions with others.
- Social and community participation: Support includes training for public transport usage and other assistance to foster active engagement in the community.
Participants have the freedom to choose any individual support within this category. However, it’s important to note that funding cannot be transferred from one category to another. Additionally, certain supports are not covered by NDIS funding, such as those falling under the responsibility of other government systems or community services, those unrelated to the person’s disability, those associated with daily living costs not directly tied to support needs, and those likely to cause harm or risk to others.
For instance, while the NDIS can assist with funding the support required for a child to attend school, the funding does not cover items like classrooms, tables, and chairs, as those are the responsibility of the government system. Similarly, groceries are not directly funded, but the NDIS can provide assistance for the participant to purchase groceries.
In cases where support coordination is required, the Capacity Building budget includes a fixed amount to help participants strengthen their abilities to coordinate and implement supports outlined in their plans, as well as to participate actively in the community.
Participants have full autonomy over how support is provided and which service providers to utilize.
How to Manage Your Funding
Participants have the flexibility to choose how they manage their funds, with three options available: self-managed, NDIA-managed, and plan-managed. They can also opt for a combination of these options to best suit their needs.
- Self-managed: The participant or a family member can directly manage the funding for the support. If needed, the participant can appoint a nominee, such as a friend or carer, to manage the funding on their behalf.
- NDIA-Managed: NDIA can assist the participant in finding and communicating with registered providers. The participant can choose service providers from the registered list on the NDIS website, and NDIA handles direct payments to these providers.
- Registered plan management provider: This option allows the plan management provider to take on the responsibility of managing funds. They can find and organize providers, handle necessary documentation, make payments to service providers, and collaborate with them in planning and decision-making.
Even if a person does not meet the NDIS criteria, there is still the possibility of connecting with community or mainstream support through the new program, which offers information, linkages, and referrals.
For long-term needs, personalized support packages are available, covering transport for social activities, workplace assistance, therapeutic support, daily activities, household tasks, home modifications, mobility equipment, vehicle modifications, and skilled personnel assistance.
Conclusion
Annually, NDIS plans are reviewed to assess progress and the impact of support on living conditions and community participation. If unsatisfied, participants can discuss adjustments with their coordinators. Additionally, NDIS may provide assistance to connect individuals with disabilities to a community or mainstream supports through information, linkages, and referrals. Embrace the possibilities with NDIS today!
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