WHAT IS THE NDIS?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme is a national system providing individualised support for people with a permanent and significant disability, their families and carers.
Am I eligible?
The first step in accessing the NDIS is to check your eligibility to apply for the NDIS. Your location, age, and whether you meet the requirements for disability or early intervention support all contribute to your eligibility for the NDIS. You can also check your eligibility by following the questions available on the NDIS website using the Eligibility Checklist.
How to apply?
If you meet the criteria for accessing the NDIS, you can apply to become a participant. You can call the NDIS and ask to make an ‘Access Request’. You may need to include evidence of your disability when you apply – such as information on what your disability is, how long it will last and how it impacts your life. The NDIS website outlines the type of evidence you may need to provide.
What is an NDIS plan?
Your NDIS plan will be a written agreement as to the types of supports and services you will receive funding for. It’s important to go into your planning meeting well prepared. You should think about your immediate support needs and the long-term and short-term goals you want to achieve through your NDIS plan. Try to be as specific as possible.
Managing your plan
Once approved, you can start to use your plan to help you to move towards achieving your goals. Depending on your plan, you can get help from your Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) Coordinator, Local Area Coordinator (LAC), or Support Coordinator.
You also need to understand your plan, the management of different budget types within your plan and how you can make your plan work for you. The NDIS has a range of resources to help you learn more about managing your plan.