What is NDIS About? The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a new way of helping people with a disability. The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is the government agency that manages the NDIS. The Agency will work with you (the Participant) to determine your eligibility and create your NDIS Plan. The steps to implement and manage your services under the NDIS are: Step 1 - You go to the NDIS website https://www.ndis.gov.au/ to review the entry requirements. Step 2 - You call NDIA on their info line 1800 800 110 to discuss your eligibility and they will send you an application pack. Step 3 - You complete the NDIS Access Request Form. Step 4 - You prepare for the planning conversation with your NDIA Planner, using the Getting Plan Ready form on the NDIS website or the Planning Workbook sent by the NDIA. Peruse the NDIA information https://www.ndis.gov.au/applying-access-ndis/how-apply It is recommended that you make initial contact with your proposed Support Worker and Plan Manager at this step in the process. Step 5 - You meet with your NDIA Planner to discuss your needs for support services. Ensure you advise the planner that you wish to engage a plan manager and they will add an amount to cover plan management fees. Step 6 - You receive your approved plan from NDIA which outlines the budgeted costs for each support service. Step 7 - You then implement that plan by selecting providers to give you the supports and services you need. Step 8 - You prepare a Service Agreement with each Provider. Step 9 - You review your plan with your NDIA planner each year. What supports and services are available?
There are two primary support roles that can help you with implementing and managing your plan:
Support Coordination – a Support Coordinator, as a Provider will assist you to choose and source the support services you require and
Plan Management – a Plan Manager, as a Provider will assist you to manage your plan (financial budget) including arrange payments to your support service providers and provide regular reports on your expenditure against your plan.
This is the area where Disability Plan Management can assist you! However, you are free to choose to “self-manage” ie. DIY or nominate someone else or enlist NDIA to undertake either or both of these services for you. Peruse the NDIA information here www.ndis.gov.au/participants/creating-your-plan/ways-manage-your-funding You may also choose to access relevant services that are not part of the NDIS framework but you would need to fund these separately eg. massage services
