We have summarised some of the important changes you should be aware of. Note that these are temporary changes in response to COVID-19 and are therefore subject to change at a later stage. 

Changes to the NDIS plan review process

Face to face planning meetings are being shifted to telephone meetings where possible. Participants who have a plan review during this time can request a 24 month NDIS plan instead of a 12-month plan. The NDIS used to have an automatic 28 day extension to plans which are due to expire, which they have now increased to a 365 day extension to plans that are due to expire. On the day that a plan is due to expire, it will be automatically extended by 365 days. 

Temporary 10% price limit increase

The NDIS has a price guide which sets upper limits on what prices can be charged for certain disability supports and services. They have temporarily increased the price that can be charged for some supports by 10%. Remember that these are maximum price limits. You can agree on lower prices than those in the NDIS price guide, but service providers may not exceed the price limits stipulated by the NDIS price guide. 

Changes when cancelling services

For a participant to cancel a service they will need to give the provider 10 business days’ notice (previously only 2 days’ notice was required).

Participants can use Core budget for support coordination during COVID-19

Previously support coordination was only claimable under the Capacity Building budget. Participants can now use their Core budget to access support coordination. This change allows participants to use their funds more flexibly to access supports. These changes are reflected in the NDIS support catalogue under ‘Core Supports, Assistance with daily life’.

Increase to low cost Assistive technology (AT) items on current NDIS plan

The NDIS has have temporarily broadened the low cost Assistive Technology (AT) items a participant may be able to purchase, such as smart devices and fitness equipment. Participants can a total maximum of $1500 of their existing budget on low cost AT items, as long as: 

• It will assist NDIS supports that are already funding under their current NDIS plan
• The provider of the NDIS funded support has confirmed in writing that the low cost AT device is necessary to continue providing the support during COVID-19 social distancing practices 
• It is the lowest specification that is necessary to maintain the support
• The participant does not already have an item that could be used to maintain the support
• The item has not already been funded through another service system 
• Each item does not exceed $750

This change is in place until September 2020 and will be reviewed in June 2020. 

Electronic access forms 

The NDIS has made their Access Request Form (ARF) and Supporting Evidence Form available on their website to help people with disabilities maintain social distance during this time. 

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Please note our supported independent living, short term accommodation and in-home services are still operating and available. Below are some of the measures we have taken in response to COVID-19.

Training staff for COVID-19 response

All our staff have completed the appropriate COVID-19 training for NDIS workers. By staying informed about the pandemic, we can provide the best care possible.

Monitoring health

Temperatures of carers and participants are being taken daily. We are keeping a close lookout for symptoms displayed by participants and staff. Our carers have been trained to identify common COVID-19 symptoms such as dry coughs, sore throats and fatigue. If we have any concerns, we will immediately contact the National Coronavirus hotline, and inform the rest of the team.

Extra measures for carers

Carers who have had any kind of cold or flu will need to obtain a medical certificate before returning to work. This is for the protection of our participants during this time. Additional supplies have been made available such as hand sanitisers, disposable gloves and antibacterial soap. Hand sanitiser is being used by carers when entering the participant’s home and disposable gloves when grocery shopping. Carers are urged to wash their hands regularly and to encourage participants to do the same. Frequently touched surfaces are being cleaned frequently following government recommendations.

Limited community visits

We have had to reduce community outings and socials for the time being. In the meantime, we have increased the number and variety of home activity and recreation resources. We are also conscious that it is important to maintain as much of the usual daily routine as possible.

Visitors

We are limiting the number of visitors allowed at one time. Visitors are required to use hand sanitiser, temperature checking and go through screening questions when entering a supported independent living home or short-term accommodation facility.

While we are doing our best to protect our staff and participants, our team is also aligned on our contingency plan in case we need to respond quickly to a confirmed case of COVID-19. We appreciate the cooperation of our staff and participants while we all do our part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community.

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We have some ideas about how you can stay engaged with your loved ones and the community during this time. Remember that we are all in this together and can lean on each other to keep the good vibes going!

1. Chat with family and friends

Staying in touch with loved ones is important. COVID-19 has made it difficult to see each other in person as much as we used to. However, in the meantime, we can use technology to stay in touch for the time being. You can look into the temporary increase to low cost Assistive technology (AT) funding on current NDIS plans, covering items such as smart devices so long as they help provide approved NDIS disability supports, such as meetings with a speech therapist over video. 

Over this period of social distancing, try to stay in touch with your loved ones over phone calls or video chats. Some video chat applications can be used to connect a few of your loved ones on one call, making it feel as close as possible to meeting up with a group. If you are not familiar with using a video chat app, ask someone to help set you up –  if you have a friend or family member who knows how to use video chats, ask them to talk you through the process over a phone call. If you are not used to chatting with family and friends in any other way than face to face consider booking a specific time for a video chat or voice call ahead of time with your family member or friend, it will make it feel like more of a social meeting.

Remember to reach out to family and friends who might feel isolated during this time. While it won’t be the same as your usual face to face chats, it will help you and them feel more supported. Remember that this period of social distance won’t last forever and that it’s important to maintain your relationships.

2. Make plans

Add some structure in your days to prevent each day from blurring into the next. Regularly schedule time with your family and friends time for catch ups, ahead of time. This will help you and your loved ones look forward to your next chat. Get creative with your chats with loved ones. Instead of just speaking on a call or video chat, do an activity together. Consider cooking the same dish over a video call, each getting the same book and reading a chapter to each other over calls, reading chapters ahead of calls and having a telephone book club, going for a walk while chatting, or playing online games together. This will help feel like you are still sharing experiences together and help bring some fun into your conversations in a time where perhaps we don’t have much news to share with each other. Remember that this is temporary, and you can continue to make plans and setting goals for after this period has passed. 

3. Join an online group

For some time now there has been a movement for people to connect online in many different groups and now is the perfect time to give it a try. As an interesting example, you could try online karaoke or join an online choir that allows anyone to join in and sing along.

4. Do something for others

During this time you should put your health and wellbeing first. However, if you can think of a way to help someone else that does not put you at risk, it can have a positive impact. This can be as simple as calling someone for a chat who you think is feeling lonely or talking someone through how to use video chat to speak to their loved ones. Helping others makes us feel good, so it can be a good way to keep you motivated and positive during this time. 

5. Ask for help

This is an unusually difficult time, so don’t delay in asking for help if you need it. If you feel down, stressed, or stuck, reach out and ask for help. There are family, friends and professionals who want to help you during this time. 

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COVID-19 is an airborne virus which can be contracted if you come into close contact with an infected person or an area they have recently been in. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, they expel contaminated droplets from their nose and mouth. The virus can be spread to other people who come into contact with the contaminated droplets, either through close proximity to an infected person or by touching objects or surfaces holding contaminated droplets.

People living with a disability or underlying conditions can be more vulnerable to infection and can have more serious complications. 

Good hygiene can help protect your health. We have listed some hygiene guidelines to use for as long as COVID-19 is still present in our community:

• Wash your hands with soap for 20 seconds before and after every activity
• Practice social distancing as much as possible. When you are with other people try to keep 1.5 meters between you and them 
• Avoid handshakes, hugs, or kisses as much as possible
• Keep a distance from anyone who has flu-like symptoms or a cold
• Cover your mouth with your elbow or with a clean tissue when you cough or sneeze
• Avoid crowds
• Limit the number of visitors at your home
• Have your annual flu vaccination (unless advised otherwise from your doctor)

What to do if you feel sick

COVID-19 symptoms can range from mild to severe and can include a sore throat, coughing, fever, headache, shortness of breath and other flu-like symptoms. If you are unwell or have flu like symptoms you should speak to your doctor, over the phone if possible. You can also contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080.

If you are struggling to breathe you should treat it as an emergency and contact emergency services.

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Supported independent living allows you to access support without sacrificing your personal freedom in a supportive and empowering environment. We have summarised the main benefits of supported independent living into five key points. 

1. Create a lifestyle that suits you

What is great about supported independent living is that you can start to create your own lifestyle. You may be living with your family now, who have supported you on your journey so far. In a supported independent living environment, you can maintain the relationship with your family while living in a home that you can call your own. You can also spend more quality time with your loved ones, because a friendly and skilled lifestyle assistant is there to help with your day to day needs. The primary goal of supported independent living is to build independence in a safe and supported environment. You can start to settle into a new lifestyle that suits your interests, personality, and goals while having confidence that you are well supported. 

2. Get daily support while you develop your skills 

Expert support is there as you need it. The SIL environment helps you grow your independence while providing constant access to support. The support you receive will depend on your needs and goals established by you in your NDIS plan. Whether you live in an individual or shared arrangements, a lifestyle assistant is there day and night to provide support to you in your home. On a day to day basis, your lifestyle assistant can provide support by cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, proving transport, and helping with your personal care. Your lifestyle assistant can also help you develop skills with budgeting, socialising, and maintaining a healthy routine. Importantly, this support happens in your own space, in a way that fits your lifestyle, personality, needs, and goals.

3. Get more social opportunities

Registered NDIS SIL providers normally have several SIL homes they provide support in the area. This means that there is a community that you can tap into to make new friends and socialise with regularly. Social events are encouraged, not forced. You can make choices about when and with whom you socialise. There will often be social gatherings that the SIL provider arranges that you can attend if you want to. Your lifestyle assistant can also sometimes accompany you on outings you want to go on, and help you keep to your budget while you are out. 

4. Combine freedom with security 

Your wellbeing should always be the top priority in a SIL arrangement, and your wellbeing includes not only your needs being met, but your happiness as well. Good SIL providers understand this, and will maintain a safe and functional environment, while encouraging you to engage with your interests and hobbies. A good SIL will enable you to make healthy choices about your lifestyle and routine while empowering you to reach your goals and develop your independence. Supported independent living celebrates individuality and does not follow a generalised approach but is flexible to your changing needs and goals. Reputable SIL providers have well thought out safely procedures, which they monitor closely. Lifestyle assistants need to be skilled and know how to maintain safely standards while handling different situations that arise. The combination of happy, empowering environments and safe, effective disability support is what sets supported independent living apart from other disability support options.

5. Develop your confidence to get more independence 

One of the main goals of supported independent living is to help you become more independent over time. Skilled lifestyle assistants and a supportive environment can help you achieve short and long term goals that can have a huge impact on your lifestyle. A good lifestyle assistant looks after more than just your daily needs. They get to know you, understand your unique NDIS goals, and find opportunities to develop skills that can empower you in the future. Effective lifestyle assistants are perceptive of your needs and personality, and they should encourage you in a way that builds confidence and belief in your abilities. 

To find out more about supported independent living at Good Vibes, please contact our friendly team on 1300 226 888.

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Before you submit an official review request, first contact your Local Area Coordinator you had your initial planning meeting with to discuss the issues you have with your plan. They may be able to assist in amending your plan. If they are unable to make the changes you have requested, you can submit an official review of your plan.

You should only request a plan review if you have genuine concerns that your current plan will not be sufficient. Requesting a plan review will result in your case being assessed again and can result in a different outcome, which can in rare cases result in a reduction in your funding. However, if you are confident that you have good reason for requesting a review, you can follow these steps to help you submit your plan review request.

If you want a plan review, you need to submit an application form for a review of decision to the NDIS. 

You can download the NDIS ‘Application for a review of decision’ ‘NDIS Reviewable Decision Form’ on the NDIS website: https://www.ndis.gov.au/applying-access-ndis/how-apply/receiving-your-access-decision/internal-review-decision. Alternatively, an NDIA officer can help you complete the form in person or over the phone.

Tips for filling out the application form

Part C of the application form asks about the grounds for your review request, specifically, it asks the below questions: 

• What is your request for review about? 
• Why do you want the decision reviewed? 
• How has it affected you?
• What outcomes are you seeking?

You should state that your review is about your NDIS plan. When answering these questions, try to be as specific, and objective as possible. Although this can be an emotional process, try to approach your motivations for additional supports from an objective and practical perspective instead of an emotional one. 

You will also be asked to attach any supporting documentation relating to your review request. 

Submitting your application

You can submit your completed form to the NDIS in person, by email or by post. Further details of how to submit your form are detailed on the application form. If possible, submit your request in writing and keep a copy so that you have a record of your submission. Forward a copy of your request to your LAC and ask them to confirm they have received it. 

It can take the NDIS up to 3 months to get back to you about your review request, but you can follow up with them around 3 weeks after submitting your application if you have not yet heard anything back. The NDIS may contact you for more information about your review request. If you have a face to face meeting to discuss your review request further, remember you are allowed to take someone with you, such as a family member, friend or carer. 

Your new plan  

Once your new plan has been finalised, request a copy of it and go through it to ensure the changes made are correct. Let your relevant service providers know about the funding changes that will impact the services they provide. 

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The NDIS will review this plan once a year because your goals and needs change over time. You can bring someone with you to your annual review, such as a family member, friend, advisor, or carer. You can also ask someone to help you prepare for your annual review. 

The annual review is done to make sure you are getting the support you need. If you want to, you can get some assistance with preparing for your annual review from a family member, carer, support coordinator or friend. 

The NDIS annual review meeting will be used to reflect on the past year, assessing the extent to which the supports and services you have been receiving are helping address your needs and support your goals. Next to be reviewed is how your needs, goals and circumstances have changed since your last meeting. Use the opportunity to discuss what you liked and disliked about your plan over the last year. Also try to look to the future in terms of how your NDIS plan can help you achieve your more long term goals, and how your plan can help prevent any long term disability concerns you have. We have made some notes to help you prepare and get the most out of your annual review.

How to prepare before your meeting

You can prepare for your meeting by asking yourself some of these questions, and making notes of your answers:  

• How well did your last NDIS pan worked for you over the past year?
• What worked well in your NDIS plan over the last year?
• What didn’t work well in your NDIS plan over the last year? 
• How was your NDIS funding used over the last year? 
• Were there any barriers to using your funding?
• What current needs do you have that are not being fulfilled?
• What additional services, supports or therapies you think would be beneficial to you?
• What changes would you like made from your previous NDIS plan? Go through your previous NDIS plan and make a note of changes you would like to discuss for your next NDIS plan. 
• How well has your current NDIS plan helped you with your needs established in your last review, or with your needs established from your initial NDIS meeting?
• How well has your current NDIS plan helped you to achieve your short term goals from your last review? 
• How well is your current NDIS plan helping you on your path to achieving your long term goals?
• What new needs do you have?
• Which goals are you still working on from your last review? 
• What new goals do you have?
• Do you have any concerns about future challenges you might face due to your disability? Make a note of these concerns. If you know of any therapies that might help reduce or prevent these challenges, make a note of them.

You should also: 

• Gather any assessments, reports, and quotes you have. If you have any recommendations from doctors or therapists in terms of therapies you could try, bring their recommendation along. 
• Discuss these points with a family member, friend, carer, or advisor to get their input 
• If you are taking someone with you to your annual NDIS review, go through your meeting notes with them. 
• Write down your answers to the above questions, and anything else you think is important to discuss and take this with you to use during your review.

What to expect during your review

You will have your annual review with your local area coordinator (LAC) or NDIS Planner. Remember you can bring someone else along if you like. The review will be similar to your initial NDIS planning meeting. The delegate will ask you some questions about your needs, goals, challenges, support and funding. Remember to bring everything up you want to discuss, and show your delegate any assessments, reports and quotes you have brought with you. If you like, you or the person you bring along can take notes of the important points of the meeting so that you can look at them later.

How to review your new NDIS plan

Once you have had your meeting, you will receive a new NDIS plan for the year ahead. Go through carefully and make sure you are happy with it. If you pick up any issues with your new plan, contact your Local Area Coordinator or NDIS Planner immediately to discuss your concerns. If you are still not happy, you can request a review of your plan.

Can’t wait until your next review? 

Remember that if your situation has changed significantly or you feel that your NDIS plan is not working for you, you can request a review at any time. You do not have to wait until it is time for your annual review if you would like to meet with the NDIS sooner.

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It is important to understand the specific criteria the NDIS uses to decide whether a support or service does – or does not – get approved to be funded through your NDIS plan. We have broken down the criteria so that you can use them when motivating why you need a particular support or service. You should especially bear these criteria in mind during your annual NDIS review meeting. 

The NDIS was established to give people living with disability more control and flexibility in making decisions about how they use their NDIS funding. However, a basic framework was needed to give the NDIS decision maker a basic framework to determine whether a support or service should be funded through a participant’s NDIS plan. This framework is the ‘reasonable and necessary’ criteria. 

What does ‘reasonable and necessary’ mean?

There are two main factors that both need to be true for a support to be considered reasonable and necessary: 

1. The support is directly related to your disability
2. The support provides value for money 

Additionally, a reasonable and necessary supports should: 

• Help you reach your goals and aspirations established in your NDIS plan 
• Help you to be more independent 
• Help you take part in the community, social activities, or work
• Be likely to be effective and work for you

Your NDIS funding also takes into account informal supports you receive, such as support given to you by your family and the community. 

Below are examples of the type of supports the NDIS funds:

• Assistance with personal care activities 
• Day to day general transport 
• Help at work to help you get or keep a job
• Therapeutic supports, such as occupational therapy, speech therapy, and behaviour support
• Help with home maintenance, such as cleaning and cooking 
• Aides or equipment that helps you do things more independently 
• Home modifications that allow you to live at home
• Mobility equipment 
• Vehicle modifications that make your car easier for you to use

Below are examples of the type of supports the NDIS does not fund: 

• Supports that are not related to your disability
• Supports that are (or are more suited to be) funded through other areas of government, for example, school teacher aides, GP and hospital visits
• Day to day costs that are not related to your disability support needs, such as groceries
• Is likely to cause you or others harm 

Once a support is approved for funding through your NDIS plan, remember that you have choice and control about how your supports are given and which service providers you use in your plan.

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Before you can start reaping the benefits of your brand new plan, there’s a few things to do that will help you get the most out of it. Take these six steps before you do anything else and navigating your new NDIS plan will be a breeze!

Read your plan thoroughly

It’s most important that you understand all the details of your plan to ensure you make decisions that support your best path forward. The document will be comprehensive and some of the language might be confusing so it’s possible it won’t make sense immediately. It might be a good idea to speak with a friend or family member, or even a service provider you know well, to help you decipher it. You’ll need to start using your plan as soon as possible. It’s considered active from the approval date and any existing funding is immediately replaced. So don’t put off reviewing it!

Get acquainted with the online portal

‘Myplace’ via the NDIS participant portal is a secure website through which you can review and manage your plan. The letter you received when your plan was approved would have included your activation code. You’ll need a myGov account to access the portal and then you link it to ‘myplace’. Your activation code will expire within 10 days, so you should do this as soon as possible. If you don’t use the code within the required time, simply contact your planner and they will organise a new one for you.

Familiarise yourself with the different funding categories

This is an especially important step if you’re self-managing your NDIS plan. Here is a helpful breakdown to help you understand what types of services fall under which category:

Your three main funding categories are:

Core: this is any activity that helps you with everyday living. Your core budget is flexible and can be used across all four support categories as per the table above.

Capital: this is funding for any support equipment for your home or vehicle. This aspect of funding is quite specific and must be used for exactly what the NDIS allocates.

Capacity Building: this is any activity that assists you to develop existing or learn new skills. Think finding a job, getting assistance with your NDIS plan or transitioning to independent living arrangements. There is flexibility here, like with your core budget, but funds will need to be used within the support category as per the table above.

Think about what you want to get out of your NDIS program

Ultimately, it’s up to you what you choose to do with your NDIS funding. You’re the custodian of deciding which providers to deliver your services. So, take some time to think about what the best solution for you will be.

Connect with whoever will help you start using your plan

If you have a service provider, this is the time to get them on board. Discuss your goals with them and they can provide advice on your best options. You might have a planner as part of your agreement and, if so, they will be reaching out soon after your plan is approved to help you through all of the steps listed here, as well as helping you to choose and make agreements with your service providers.

Choose and make agreements with your preferred service providers

Once you’ve decided on your best services and chosen providers, it’s time to reach out and make agreements with them! Your support coordinator can help you with this step too. You might want to continue using a provider you’ve been using up until now and that’s entirely possible. You’ll just need to advise them of your new plan and set up a new service agreement with them. Your service agreement is an outline of how your preferred services will be delivered and is an important part of your agreement with your service providers.

So that’s it! Hopefully now you’re feeling a little more confident on how to approach your brand new NDIS agreement. If you need any further support, feel free to get in touch with our friendly team here.

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While, of course, each meeting is adapted to the individual, a general format is followed. It’s helpful to be prepared so that you know what to expect. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the key things that are covered in your NDIS meeting so you can go in feeling confident you can answer everything you will be asked.

What’s your story?

Your planner will need to fill out your ‘participant statement’. This is basically your story; a snapshot of your life. It goes into the ‘about me’ section of your NDIS plan and your planner will guide you through everything they need to know. Sometimes it can feel like we’re put on the spot when we answer questions about our life—it can be hard to know what to say! So, while of course it is entirely personal, you might like to inform them about:

• Your health needs
• Your living situation
• How you get around
• Employment
• Education
• Any specific hobbies or interests you have

What are your needs?

Once they have a complete picture of your circumstances, your planner will ask you about what kind and what level of assistance you need for everyday living. To do this, they use a questionnaire called the WHODAS (World Health Organisation Disability Assessment Schedule). This questionnaire asks you a number of questions related to functional tasks and asks you to rank your ability to perform them. These responses will help to identify the type and level of funding you receive as part of your NDIS plan, so be as specific and accurate as you can. Those under 17 answer the PEDICAT, which is very similar to the WHODAS, but adapted to minors.

What are your goals?

Your goals are the basis of your NDIS plan—your support and funding are directly related to them. So, this is a significant aspect of your planning meeting! You will be asked about both short-term and long-term goals. Your short-term goals are those that you want to achieve within the next 1-2 years while your long-term goals are those you’d like to accomplish within 2-5 years. It’s a good idea to have thought carefully about what you most want to achieve to ensure you get the most out of your NDIS plan.

The impact statement

This can be an uncomfortable part of the planning meeting but it’s also an important part of helping to create a plan that is relevant to your unique needs. Your ‘impact statement’ helps the NDIS to understand how your disability affects those around you, especially your primary carer. This might trigger an emotional reaction is both of you. If it feels right, you might like to consider having a conversation with your primary carer before your meeting and discuss this so that, when it is brought up in the meeting, you’re both comfortable with what will be shared.

The other aspect of your impact statement is to decipher whether you might need support managing your NDIS plan. If you request to have support managing the financial aspects of your plan, legally the NDIS has to include ‘plan management’ in your plan. The planner will also discuss whether you feel you would like support finding and connecting with service providers. If you indicate this is something you would like, and you meet the eligibility criteria, you may also have support coordination included in your plan.

Is there anything else?

To finish, you will be asked by your planner if there is anything else that has not already been discussed that you would like to add. Take your time and think carefully about whether anything has been missed or if you’re content that everything has been covered. Before you end the meeting, it’s a good idea to ensure you have your planner’s contact details so you can connect with them if anything comes up after the meeting.

We hope this helps you to feel a little more confident as you prepare for your NDIS planning meeting. Remember, we’re here to help if you have any questions or would like some additional support.

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