We get many questions about how to get the most out of your NDIS Plan. There's always a desire to get more. Many of our members are nervous about tackling the NDIS and worry that they won't get enough (or any) funding – but you shouldn't be!
This month, CPSN sat down with our Support Coordinator, Brian, to discuss how our members can get the most out of their NDIS Plan. This article is a must-read for new NDIS participants and anyone with a review around the corner!
Tip #1 – Know your Price Catalogue & Understand your Funding Periods
The NDIS Price Catalogue isn't used nearly enough by NDIS participants. Most people don't know that it's out there.
Brian explains that this guide offers a list of hundreds of services a person might be eligible to receive on their plan, including line items, costs, and support categories.
So how does this benefit you? It can provide a helpful guide to accessing therapies or consumables. Various treatments available under the NDIS go beyond Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy. Some examples of therapies include Early Childhood Services, Podiatry, Psychology, Exercise Physiology and Dieticians.
The Price Catalogue can also provide a guide for stretching your budget; for example, we hosted a webinar exploring the benefits of therapy assistants. Therapy assistants can be a more affordable alternative to Physiotherapy and estimates of their costs can be found in the guide.
NDIS reviews can be stressful, but they present an excellent opportunity to maximise your funding and improve your Support. This is a crucial time to sit down and look at the guide to find out what you're entitled to receive.
You can learn more about the NDIS Support Catalogue here.
Understanding funding periods in your plan is crucial to make sure you or providers supporting you are not left with an outstanding invoice. If you’ve had a new plan in the last few months, it is likely you have funding periods applied in your plan.
Knowing how much you have to spend on what in each time period will allow you to plan your supports correctly with your team.
It is very important to understand when you funding periods start, how much you have in that period to use, and when that period ends. It is likely your providers are going to asking you about this.
Tip #2 – Don't be afraid to be a squeaky wheel & request a Plan break down
Getting the most out of your Plan requires persistence, so you must know when to make some noise. During the development of a new Plan, it's a good idea to stay connected with your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) and voice any concerns you have throughout the application or review process.
You can also request a copy of your plan break down, becauase knowing exactly what the NDIS has funded in your plan is key to help understand what you can use, and what may be missing.
When you receive a new plan the NDIS should be offering you a detailed break down that will help you understand what has been funded (despite some supports being flexible^).
If you haven’t received this, you can request this from the NDIS (you may need to be persistent, see below). You also should have in writing an explanation for any supports that have been denied.
If you're unhappy with any outcomes of your Plan meetings, there are several avenues that you can go down. You can provide formal feedback to feedback@ndis.gov.au.
If you're unhappy with the outcome of a decision handed down by the NDIA, you can call 1800 800 110. Brian explains:
"If you're still unhappy with the outcome, call 1800 800 110 AGAIN! Persistence is the key."
^ This means, some supports may be flexible, while others may be stated. You should also receive and written explanation on any support that you have requested but have been declined.
Tip #3 – Know what your 'Live Plan' looks like
Keeping track of how much funding you are spending and where the money is going is another critical step in ensuring you get the most out of your Plan.
If you use a Plan manager, you can view a live version of your Plan through an online portal. This portal will provide a breakdown of how much of your funding you have used and will also hold copies of all your invoices and other vital information, like the persons who are authorised to receive payments.
Alternatively, you can access your NDIS information on the NDIS portal. So, why does this matter? Looking at a 'live version' of your Plan is like keeping a bank app – it enables you to track what you're spending and what you can spend before the end of the Plan. Using your funding is essential because if you don't, you might lose access to funds when it is time for a review.
Tip #4 – This is an "Insurance Company" and Keep Track of your Communication with the NDIS
Although it isn't profit-driven the way a traditional insurance company is, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) must be able to calculate risk and weigh up costs the way any insurance company does.
"If you want to get approved for something, you need to provide evidence that's in your well-being to have it," Brian says.
Consider what you are trying to add to your plan and how it mitigates risk and enhances your quality of life and safety. An example might be getting a new walking stick that provides more physical support, thus reducing your risk of falls.
Keeping track of your communication with the NDIS is also very useful when you are requesting supports or information from the NDIS.
It helps keep you and your team aware of what stage you may be up to in a plan or on a project, but then it allows you to follow up with the NDIS and keep them accountable to ensure your requests aren't sitting stationary in a queue.
Tip #5 – Stick to your goals, stay connected with your team and access the NDIS Particpant Charter
It is easy to get caught up in the financial aspects, but ultimately the NDIS is designed to help people with disabilities achieve their goals. Any time you establish a new plan, you will have a list of goals you aim to achieve.
Now, ask yourself, "Who do I need on my team to achieve that goal?"
For example, one of your goals might be to improve your health and lose weight. So, it might be helpful to include a Dietician and Exercise Physiologist in your next plan. Find out how much this might cost using your Price Catalogue and start a conversation with your Support Co-ordinator or LAC to get your goal moving.
You can also use the NDIS participant Charter to help keep your goals and targets on track with your team.
The NDIS has values and measurable targets on these values. For example, the NDIS need to respond to certain requests within a certain time period to meet their obligations. We know they don’t always meet these, but it can be of use to know these so that you can move your requests along as soon as they start falling behind on what they have promised in their Participant Charter.
You can view more about the NDIS Charter here and download the resource information for your reference.
If you have a current plan that needs a refresh, or you have any questions and would like to speak to one of our Support Coordinators, you can arrange a free 20 minute no obligation plan 'check up' with them today. Get in touch with us via phone or email below.
Hopefully, these tips can help guide you. If you're seeking more information, contact cpsn@cpsn.org.au or call 03 9478 1001 or 1300 277 600 We're here to help.
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