Congratulations!!!

You have an NDIS plan now! You are a NDIS participant with National Disability Insurance Scheme with funding for the supports you need. It is good to know what you need to do once you are eligible for NDIS funding so please take a look at your next steps to achieve best supports you need without a hassle.

Frankly, when you’ve received a NDIS plan it may be confusing that what to do next, how can I use my funding, what kind of supports that I can get with this funding, who do I need to talk, Yes, there’s lots of questions and lot’s in there. Sometimes it will not make immediate sense so it is important that you know what your plan means then you can do what’s best for you. If you need more clarifications about your NDIS plan; speak to someone in the know, your friend, family member or a relative who knows you well. If you are looking for professional help deciphering your NDIS plan, please contact a service provider like Caring Friends.

It is important to know that your NDIS plan is 100% yours and you can choose who you share the details of your plan. Mostly NDIS participants will share their plan with their next of kins and services providers to make sure they are getting the best supports. You can get your plan’s soft copy from myplace participant portal.

The National Disability Insurance provides funding to participants to access a range of supports which fall into three support purpose categories; they are core, capital and capacity building supports. Make sure you understand the difference between these categories and what they can be used for-especially if you are self-managing. These categories are then divided into daily living, home supports, relationships, lifelong learning, work, social & community participation, health & well-being and choice and control. These will help identify the different needs you have based on the different areas of your life.

Core Supports- A core support helps you in your everyday life and core funding is flexible across the Transport, Consumables, assistance with daily life and assistance with social and community participation support categories.

Capacity Building Supports- Capacity building is an activity that helps you living independently, learn a new skill, finding a job, or getting help with your NDIS plan. Capacity building funding is flexible but can only be used for services of Finding and managing a job,
coordination of supports, Improved life choices, Improved daily living skills, Improved learning, improved relationships, Improved living arrangements, Improved health and wellbeing, increased social and community participation in the support category.

You have ultimate control over which services you get and who provides them and how you like to use those funds. You have the right to feel respected by your chosen providers and you should feel free to raise questions and concerns with them. You can tell your providers how you would like to be communicated with and other things that are important to you when you are receiving supports. If you have a Support Coordinator, he/she will be able to help you connect with service providers.

If you think a decision about your plan is incorrect or unfair you can review your NDIS plan and receive the services to fulfill your short-, medium- and long-term goals. Please visit NDIS website https://www.ndis.gov.au/ if you have any questions regarding your supports and plan.