Maximising Potential
All About NDIS Funding
Your NDIS plan may include three different types of support budgets, namely core, capacity building, and capital supports. These budgets are customised by your NDIS planner to cater to your specific needs and goals, and to provide the necessary funding for supporting you in your daily activities and achieving your objectives.
Core Support
Support Budget Categories
1
Assistance with Daily Life
Help with routine requirements such as daily tasks, upkeep of the house, or maintenance of the yard.
2
Assistance with Social & Community Participation
Help with routine requirements such as daily tasks, upkeep of the house, or maintenance of the yard.
3
Transport
This support facilitates your commuting to your workplace or other locations that will aid you in achieving the objectives in your plan. The allocation and payment of your transport budget, including upfront or regular payments, will vary depending on your individual circumstances. Your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) will guide you on the usage of this budget and how you can spend it to meet your transportation needs.
4
Consumables
Regularly required items that could be necessary for your daily routine. These could include products like continence items or cost-effective assistive devices and equipment that can enhance your self-sufficiency and/or ability to move around.
Capacity Builder
Capacity Building Supports are intended to assist you in developing your self-sufficiency and abilities, which can aid you in accomplishing your objectives. Unlike your Core Supports budget, the funding allocated for Capacity Building Supports cannot be interchanged between support categories. The funds can only be utilised to obtain approved individual supports that come under the specific Capacity Building category.
Support Budget Categories
1
Support Coordination
This is a predetermined sum allocated to a Support Coordinator who can assist you in utilizing your plan effectively.
2
Improved Living Arrangements
Assistance provided to help you locate and sustain a suitable residence.
3
Increased Social & Community Participation
Education and preparation provided to enhance your abilities, enabling you to engage in community, social, and leisure activities.
4
Finding & Keeping a Job
This may involve job-related assistance, education, and evaluations that can aid you in obtaining and retaining employment, such as the School Leaver Employment Supports.
5
Improved Relationships
This assistance will enable you to cultivate positive behaviours and establish effective communication with others.
6
Improved Health & Wellbeing
This may involve recommendations regarding exercise or dietary habits to manage the effects of your disability. However, it’s important to note that NDIS doesn’t provide funding for gym/health club memberships.
7
Improved Learning
Examples of this support could include education, guidance, and aid to facilitate your transition from school to higher education, such as university or TAFE.
8
Improved Life Choices
Plan management is a service that assists you in managing your plan, financing, and payment for services.
9
Improved Daily Living
Evaluation, education, or treatment intended to enhance your abilities, self-reliance, and involvement in the community. These services can be provided individually or in groups.
Capital Support
Capital Supports encompass costlier assistive technology, equipment, home or vehicle modifications, and funding for non-recurring purchases that you may require (including Specialist Disability Accommodation). It’s crucial to keep in mind that the funds allocated under the Capital Supports budget can only be utilized for their designated purpose and cannot be used for any other expenses. The Capital Supports budget is divided into two support categories: Assistive Technology and Home Modifications.
Support Budget Categories
1
Assistive Technology
This comprises equipment for mobility, personal care, communication, and recreational involvement, including wheelchairs or adjustments to vehicles.
2
Home Modifications
Home modifications may include installing handrails in bathrooms or other areas, and Specialist Disability Accommodation is provided for participants who require special housing due to their disability.
Other Relevant Information
Support Budget Categories
1
Stated Supports
Stated supports are inflexible, meaning that funding has been assigned to a specific support or service, and cannot be used for anything else. You cannot substitute ‘stated supports’ with any other supports.
2
In-kind Supports
If any supports in your plan are categorized as ‘in-kind’, it implies that the services have already been paid for by either your state, territory or the Australian government. These are pre-paid supports. When you utilise an in-kind service, your existing provider will deliver the support and you will not be required to pay for it using your NDIS plan funds. However, if you have any issues or concerns about utilising a specific in-kind provider or service, you can always discuss it with your ECEI Coordinator, LAC, or NDIA planner.
3
Quote Required
If a support is listed as ‘quote required’ in your NDIS plan, it means that you will need to provide additional information such as quotes and/or specialist reports before funding can be made available for that particular support. This is because the NDIA needs to assess the cost and suitability of the support before approving it. Once the quote is provided and approved, the NDIA will allocate funding for the specific support in your plan.
4
Mobility Allowance
When you join the NDIS, your plan will include all the supports that are funded by the NDIS, including any transport-related supports that are reasonable and necessary. If you are currently receiving Mobility Allowance, this will stop once you have an approved NDIS plan. However, you will still keep your Health Care Card if you have one.