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Get the lowdown on all things NDIS
19 November 2019
Disability is no barrier to living a fulfilling life. Inspiring role models who haven’t let their disability hold them back are all around us. From athletes to comedians, scientists, politicians and more. Ok – so we’re not all born with Stephen Hawking’s intellect or Stevie Wonder’s voice! But with the right support, we can all make the most of what we have.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funds supports for all eligible Australians, to live better and to achieve their goals. The range of potential support options is very wide. NDIS plan funding may include everything from transportation, to support to stay in the workforce or equipment to make everyday life easier.
Each person has different support needs, which is why every eligible person needs to get on-board to receive a tailored NDIS support plan. A dedicated Feros Care NDIS consultant can help you along the way – and fill you in on the plan of attack.
An LAC can help!
As an official partner of the NDIS, Feros Care is charged with the responsibility of Local Area Coordination (LAC). In layman’s terms, that means it’s our job to help you understand your rights, what funds you’re entitled to and how to navigate the NDIS process, starting with working together to apply for access to the NDIS.
It’s an exciting time planning for your future, but it can also be a time of many questions. Like, what funding is available? How can you make it work for you? And where do you start? That’s why we’re ready to jump on board to help with your NDIS plan management. We promise it’ll be worth it.
The most important thing to remember is that this is all about YOU. So here’s your chance to be unashamedly self-focussed. The process begins with a planning meeting – and as with most things in life – the more preparation, the better the result. So start thinking about what goals and concerns you may have. Are there specific daily tasks that you struggle with? Or is your accommodation not meeting your needs? Also consider how you want to live in the future.
Our NDIS planning meetings are designed for you to have your say and to set some clearly defined goals. But apart from yourself and a Feros Care advisor, it can be a good idea to invite another trusted person to come along. A parent, guardian, family member or friend can often provide another perspective on the support you need.
Together we’ll prepare and review your plan, before sending it to the NDIA for the stamp of approval. Once finalised, Feros Care gets to work to help translate your bespoke plan into solid support services offered by providers in your community.
NDIS funding can be used across three support category budgets, with each covering a different scope of services. So here’s the lowdown.
Core Supports Budget
This is designed to help with everyday activities, current disability-related needs and to work towards your goals. This is the most flexible budget, and can include the purchase of everyday use items, daily assistance, assistance with social and community activities, and help with transport.
Capacity Building Budget
This can help build independence and skills to smash your long-term goals. The funding is allocated across eight support sub-categories, each matched with the goals you’ve come up with in your plan. You can choose how to spend these funds to purchase any approved individual support within its category, but won’t be able to move funding from one category to another.
The Capacity Building support categories include:
Choice and Control e.g. training in planning and plan management
Daily Activity e.g. therapy aimed at building your capacity to participate
Employment e.g. employment related assessment and counselling
Health and Well being e.g. exercise advice required due to impact of disability
Home Living e.g. support to obtain/retain appropriate accommodation
Lifelong Learning e.g. assistance moving from school to further education
Relationships e.g. positive behavioural support strategies to reduce behaviours of concern
Social and Community Participation e.g. Individual life skills development and training including public transport training and support, developing skills for community, social and recreational participation.
Capital Support Budget
This covers higher-cost items such as assistive technology, home or vehicle modifications and funding for one-off equipment purchases. Funds within this budget can only be used for their specific purpose (e.g. a rail in the bathroom or a wheelchair) and cannot be used to fund other items.
Which support budget you are approved for depends on your initial meeting and assessment. From then on, the role of Feros Care is to help you use NDIS funding, to close the gap between where you are – and where you want be. So that ultimately you can have more control over your life. Plus, as your LAC we’ll support you with ongoing plan management, service reviews and with requesting a review of your NDIS plan if your circumstances change. We’ll always be there to ensure that your voice is heard and that you get the support you need to shine.