The 2021 NDIS fund allowance plays a large role in supporting those who are less advantaged. This removes a large financial burden on participants, allowing them to reintegrate back into society as valued and helpful individuals. Below is an in-depth explanation of everything that the NDIS fund allowance provides to help you achieve your short to long goals.
Across Australia, it is estimated that NDIS participants are utilising only 68% of their budgets. On average, the NDIS budget is $67,000, which means that over $21,000 is left over. Generally, support items, when subjected to price controls have a single national price limit. Every July, these price guides are usually updated by the NDIA.
Below is a guide for NDIS participants to be more mindful of their NDIS fund allowance, and use it accordingly and to their advantage.
Support Purposes
The NDIS Participant budgets have been allocated according to three separate support purposes:
Core; This time of support is what enables participants to carry out the basic duties of living. As such, budgets often provide a lot of flexibility when choosing their specific supports with their core support budget. However, note that participants are not able to reassign this funding for any other support purposes.
Capital; These are investments, such as assistive technologies, home modifications, vehicle and equipment modifications, or Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA).
Capacity Building; This budget support is aimed at providing NDIS participants with the opportunity to build their independence and skills.
Furthermore, support in connecting with a broader ranges of services and providers allows participants to understand and implementing their budget plan. Hence, the NDIS budget will support up to $63.21- $94.82 (also as per the 1st December, 2020), depending on your location. As a result, this support could fall under any of the categories above, dependant on what the participant learns from these services.
NDIS Price Guide
The support system is priced in three different ways:
Price controlled supports; this can be claimed when a provider from the participant’s plan. However, it must be necessary and reasonable to meet the needs of a participant.
Quotable supports; only a provider from the participant’s plan can claim this
Some supports are not quotable; these can only be claimed if very reasonable and necessary for the needs of the participant. These supports do not fit in with the above two options. Rather, this usually occurs on a case by case basis
There are a few major categories within this price guide that can be considered to see where support can be further given. There are 8 outcome domains in this framework. This assists in allowing NDIS participants to think about different requirements in their life. These 8 support categories are aligned with the NDIS Outcomes Framework. All of this has been developed to measure goal attainment for individuals. As a result, these domains are:
Daily living
Home
Health and Wellbeing
Lifelong Learning
Work
Social and Community Participation
Relationships
Choice and Control
COVID- 19 NDIS fund allowance
In response to the outbreak of COVID- 19, the NDIS funding has slightly changed to ensure the safety of all NDIS participants.
For those who:
have COVID- 19
instructed to quarantine or self-isolate
are in isolation or quarantine as they are waiting for the results of a COVID- 19 test
There are two support items available- cleaning services and additional supports for those who are living with SIL (Supported Independent Living) providers.
There is also a one-time deep cleaning cost that participants can access when a close support worker has been diagnosed with COVID- 19. This is a service that we can provide for NDIS participants. Click here to see how we can help with this issue.
Furthermore, participants who receive an average of at least an hour a day of face- to- face daily living support can access up to $50 per week from their NDIS fund budget. This goes towards their PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), used when their support worker is present in their homes.
Telehealth Service
Telehealth Service can be used to deliver support directly to the client from the comfort of their own home. Providers can only claim Telehealth Services where the following conditions are met:
The support delivered by the Telehealth Service must be appropriate
The proposed charges for Telehealth Service activities comply with Price guide and the service agreement of the participant
What to do now?
As an NDIS Participant, you are eligible for a lot of different purchases and schemes dependant on your daily lifestyle and preferences. To follow on, make a list of what you need to suit your life. Then, continue researching to see if you eligible for certain schemes and payments. If so, this will most likely take the financial strain off a particular part of your life. The NDIS fund allowance is present to assist in creating a simpler and thus more enjoyable life.
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