NDIS Funding and Eligibility - Maple Services
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NDIS Funding and Eligibility
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NDIS Funding and Eligibility

Today, there are nearly 4.5 million Australians living with a disability. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a government-run program under the guidance of the National Disability Insurance Agency that serves all of Australia by providing funding and resources to those living with a permanent or significant disability. 

The NDIS provides nationwide support to eligible people with intellectual, physical, sensory, cognitive and psychosocial disabilities, including early intervention supports as needed. Engaging with the NDIA, Maple Community Services can guide you through the eligibility and enrolment process to make sure your access and support needs are met, including NDIS plan management.

Whether you are just curious about the resources available to you or your loved one or you are enrolled and looking to expand the services and supports you utilise, Maple Community Services has the experience and expertise to help you navigate the NDIS and secure the resources you need. Let’s take a look at how NDIS funding eligibility actually works.

What is Funded under the NDIS?

The NDIS funding can be used for various types of assistance, as well as products or services, to improve your quality of life. This includes funding for accessing healthcare services, living arrangements, relationship-building, education, life changes, day to day functioning, and more. 

The types of support funded for individuals must relate to your disability and the relative benefit of the funds provided is taken into consideration. Feedback and data will be collected from support workers and service providers, as well as from you, to evaluate if the supports you receive are successful. If they demonstrate a benefit, the NDIS will continue to fund:

An integral part of what we do at Maple as an NDIS provider is assisting you to identify the services you need and optimise your available funding to provide you the greatest benefit. NDIS providers in Sydney and throughout Australia may offer help with any or all of these services. At Maple, you work closely with your Support Coordinator, Plan Manager, and Client Relations Officer to add value to your eligible funding and see benefits beyond basic support.

Who Qualifies for NDIS Assistance?

If you are aged between 7 and 65 years old, live in Australia or have an Australian residency, and need support from a person or equipment because of a permanent and significant disability (this could be physical, intellectual, cognitive, neurological, visual, hearing, or psychosocial), then you may be eligible for funding from the NDIS. The general thresholds to qualify for funding are that; you live with a disability, your disability impedes your functioning or access in some way, and that there are services or supports of which you can use that will improve your functioning or access.

What Medical Condition Qualifies for Disability?

There are a number of conditions that may qualify a person for disability status , but no specific diagnosis is necessary. What matters most is that you have restricted, limited, impaired, or impeded access to normal aspects of daily life or society due to an illness or disability that you live with. Some of the most common disorders or conditions that cause people to live with a disability include:

How Much Funding Does NDIS Give You?

The level of funding you receive from the NDIS will differ  based  on your needs and the supports that are necessary for you to live a more fulfilling life. This is determined in the initial stage and on an ongoing basis as you participate in the program, particularly if your needs change. Overall , the NDIS will provide more than $22 billion yearly to around 500,000 Australians who are living with a disability. 

What is The Average NDIS Package Worth?

On average, NDIS budgets are approximately $67,000, though most people do not actually use the full amount of their funding. There are a few things you can do to make the most of your eligible funding to receive the best support available.

Before you receive any funding from the NDIS, you will meet with a planner and develop a thorough strategy to address your access and participation needs according to your specific disability. Try to come to this meeting with your personal needs and goals in mind so that you can be sure to share everything you are likely to need. That way, you can make the most of your planning session and, at the same time, receive adequate funding to cover the components of your plan. Remember, it’s not about the specific amount of funds you receive, but about the quality of the supports and improvement to your overall well-being that you can achieve through the available funding.

Who Is Not Eligible for NDIS?

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) estimates that 89% of people in Australia living with disabilities will not be eligible for the NDIS. This is mostly due to the majority of people living with disabilities being above the age of 65, below the age of 7, or people with impermanent disabilities. These groups are generally not eligible for NDIS funding as their needs are addressed by other aid and support organisations. Additionally, if you cannot show that your disability is significant or permanent, you may be referred to alternative support options. 

If you or your loved one is found to be ineligible for the NDIS, you may be eligible for other government funding and services. Usually, the initial access point for people living with disabilities in search of support services is the Local Area Coordinators (LACs). They are well-situated to offer support to anyone, regardless of eligibility for the NDIS, in order to connect them to available support services and local resources.