When you’re using your NDIS plan, it’s not always obvious why some things can be claimed and others can’t. That’s because what you’re able to claim isn’t decided by your Plan Manager. It’s shaped by the NDIS scheme itself and the details of your individual plan.
This is often where confusion begins. When families hear different responses like “yes that’s fine” or “you’ll need to check with the NDIS,” it can feel inconsistent or frustrating.
In reality, Plan Managers don’t approve supports. Our role is to help individuals and families navigate the rules of the scheme and provide guidance on whether an invoice can be processed without putting your funding at risk.
Guidance within NDIS scheme rules
That’s a lot of jargon, so let’s break it down into everyday language:
“...ensuring your funds are being spent in accordance with your plan.”
This means that your Plan Manager helps you to stick to the general NDIS rules and what’s specified in your NDIS Plan.
Your Plan Manager should have a good understanding of the NDIS claiming rules around supports. They help you avoid making risky claims that may result in you having to pay the NDIS back or reducing the funding in your plan if the NDIS were to audit your spending.
“...the role of a plan manager is not to determine whether the supports or services purchased are ‘reasonable and necessary’...”
Simply put, your Plan Manager can’t give you permission to work outside the general NDIS rules.
You can ask your Plan Manager for advice about claiming for specific supports. They’ll take into account your NDIS Plan, NDIS rules and they can tell you if they’ll be able to process it or not.
So what does that mean in practice?
Your Plan Manager is going to be the one to process the invoice for your supports, so if you’re not sure if it’s covered by NDIS you’ll want to double check with your Plan Manager. Nobody likes nasty surprises when the bill arrives!
Your Plan Manager shouldn’t have any issues with processing the support if it fits within your NDIS plan or NDIS’ rules.
What if my Plan Manager says that they can’t process the support?
If they tell you that they can’t process the support, it’s because the support is outside of the general NDIS rules so claiming for this support would put your NDIS funding at risk.
If you wanted to go ahead with claiming, you’d need the right kind of permission to get exceptions to the normal NDIS rules.
If you want to gain that permission, you’ll need written approval from an NDIS Planner. Many people will try to get approval from anybody who works for NDIS, such as a Local Area Coordinator. It’s important to know that only somebody who holds the title of NDIS Planner has the authority to give you this permission.
If you’re interested in a support and need advice, book a FREE Guru Session and let one of our experts give you personalised help.
