Your NDIS Questions Answered

There are a lot of changes coming with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and we will keep you up-to-date and informed with what those changes mean to you and your family.

We’ve answered many of the big questions below but if you have a question that hasn’t been covered, answer just send an email to hello@montrose.org.au.

What is the NDIS?

The NDIS is a national scheme that aims to make disability support more equitable and provide people with a disability greater control and decision making regarding their supports. The NDIS is managed by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) which is a legislated, independent launch transition agency. The NDIS will provide individual funding packages to people who meet eligibility criteria.

When is the NDIS coming to my area?

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will progressively roll out across Queensland over a three year period. The NDIS agreement outlines the progressive rollout of the scheme across Queensland as follows:

1 July 2016
Townsville, Hinchinbrook, Burdekin, west to Mount Isa and up to the Gulf

1 November 2016
Isaac, Mackay, Whitsundays

1 January 2017
Toowoomba area and west to the borders

1 July 2017
Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim and Somerset (existing package holders can access the scheme from June 2017)

1 October 2017
Bundaberg (existing package holders can access the scheme from September 2017)

1 January 2018
Rockhampton, Gladstone and west to the borders (existing package holders can access the scheme from November 2017)

1 July 2018
Logan City, Redland City, Gold Coast City, Brisbane City, Fraser Coast, North Burnett, South Burnett, Cherbourg, Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Tablelands, Croydon, Etheridge, Cape York and Torres Strait

1 January 2019
Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Gympie, Moreton Bay (including Strathpine and Caboolture)

Am I Eligible for the NDIS?

Australian resident
Disability is permanent or likely to be permanent and results insubstantially reduced functional capacity (communication, social interaction, learning, mobility, self care, self-management)

Meet early intervention requirements where the person may not have functional deficits but the impact of the impairment may lead to substantially reduced functional capacity without support
There is no known clinical, medical or other treatment that could remedy the impairment
The access request must be made before age 65

CHECK YOUR ELIGIBILITY

How do I Apply for the NDIS?

Check your eligibility here.

People can apply by completing an Access Request Form.

In many cases, Queensland’s Disability Services will work with current providers to directly contact people who are already receiving support through Disability Services funding.

How is My NDIS Funding Determined?

Eligible people are called “participants” and a planning assessment is undertaken by the NDIA to identify the participant’s goals, aspirations, strengths, capacity, circumstances and context.It will also assess activity limitations and support needs created by their disability. Supports are about achieving goals and aspirations not about the type of disability, so two people with the same disability maybe assessed very differently as it is based on functional needs and what other supports are available to them.

The NDIA will use this assessment to determine how much funding they will provide. Planning is undertaken yearly but a review can be requested if a person needs change. Funding is not means tested and does not affect disability support pensions.

What Type of Supports Can I Get Through NDIS?

Supports may be provided to help meet goals and aspirations. For example, in the areas of:

Mobility – in the home and community (e.g. equipment and training)
Communication – devices to assist with communication, reading and writing
Self-Care and Self-Management– personal assistance, equipment and training
Social Interaction – support to participate in recreation, cultural and sporting activities
Learning – aids and equipment to access education and training,assistance to access education
Capacity for Social and Economic Participation – assistance to participate in the community and access work

Supports must:

Be considered reasonable and necessary
Provide value for money (If two supports provide the same outcome, the least costly support would be funded)
Be considered ‘good practice’(that is, there is evidence in the literature or expert opinion, lived experience or in the learnings of the NDIA that the support is effective)

Will I Better Off?

The NDIA has stated that there will be “no disadvantage” for people with a disability when transferring to the NDIS.

This relates to the overall outcome for the person, not the amount of support or funding they will receive. For example, purchasing a piece of equipment might mean that a person may not require as much assistance, and therefore, would not need the same amount of funding for a support worker. The amount of funding may be the same, less or more than you currently receive.

Who Can Manage My NDIS Plan and Funding?

There are three options for managing plans and funding. A participant may choose one option or a mixture of any options.

Self-Management
The participant can choose to manage the financial and administrative aspects of their plan and funding.

Plan Management Provider
The participant can engage a business or organisation to manage their funding on their behalf (e.g.paying suppliers, service agreements with providers, hiring and paying staff, funding reports)

The NDIA Can Manage the Funding for the Participant

What Does the NDIS Mean for Montrose?

Montrose Therapy and Respite Services is preparing for the changes for our organisation and clients.

Montrose currently receives block funding from the Queensland Government to provide services. As people receive their individual NDIS funding, block funding will be gradually withdrawn until organisations will totally rely on income from people purchasing their services from them.