NDIS – DISABILITY SERVICES AND SUPPORTS
Please check with your nearest Simply Helping office if they are a registered NDIS service provider.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding for services and supports to people with permanent and significant disability aged under 65, their families and carers.
What NDIS services are available?
The NDIS is all about helping people with disability live an ordinary life. It aims to help people achieve greater independence, increase their community involvement, gain employment, pursue their goals, and improves health and well-being. Services and supports can include personal care, home help and domestic assistance, home maintenance, home modification, social support, community participation, transport and more.
Am I eligible to access the NDIS?
You may be eligible to access the NDIS if you:
- Are aged between 7 and 65 years
- Live in Australia and have Australian residency
- Have a permanent and significant disability
If you have a child aged 6 years or younger, contact your local Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) Partner or call the NDIS on 1800 800 110. Your ECEI coordinator can help you either access short-term supports and services, or help your child apply for the NDIS.
If you are aged 65 years or older, you may be eligible for the Continuity of Support (CoS) Programme. Please phone My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 for more information.
How can I access the NDIS?
If you already receive disability support services through a Commonwealth, State or Territory programme, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) will contact you as the NDIS becomes available in your area.
To become an NDIS participant and receive supports for the first time, you will need to make an ‘access request’ to the NDIA. This can be done by phoning 1800 800 110, or by contacting your Local Area Coordinator (LAC), or by visiting your local NDIA.
Alternatively, you may prefer to fill out an ‘Access Request Form’ which is also available from your LAC, your local NDIA, or by phoning 1800 800 110.
A family member, friend or support worker may help you when applying for the NDIS. With your permission, they can make the access request to the NDIS on your behalf.
Once you have made an access request, the NDIA will require more information from you so they can assess your eligibility for the NDIS. The information they may need could include evidence of your age and residency, details about your disability and how it impacts you each day, and any reports you may already have from medical specialists or health professionals. You may also seek help from a family member or friend to provide the information on your behalf.
Create an NDIS plan.
You will receive a letter notifying you of your NDIS eligibility. If you are eligible, the NDIS will contact you to arrange a planning meeting. The purpose of the planning meeting is to create an NDIS plan that will help you achieve your goals. Therefore, it’s a good idea to consider your short-term and long-term goals prior to the meeting, so it’s easier to determine which services you will need to help you achieve them.
Your NDIS plan will also outline the funding available for you to pay for supports and services. You will also be asked how you would like to manage your NDIS funding. There are three options; you may wish to self-manage your funds, or you may choose to use a plan manager, or you may opt to have your plan managed by the NDIA (sometimes referred to as agency-managed).
