What do the budgets in my plan mean?

Your budget has three main areas where the money can go:

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Core: A support that helps participants undertake their daily activities.

The participant has flexibility to use money across categories (in some circumstances funding is specific and is not flexible such as for transport or specialist disability accommodation (SDA).
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Consumables
Everyday items such as continence aids

Daily Activities
Assistance with self-care activities

Assistance with Social and Community Participation
Supports to engage in social or recreational activities

Transport
Alternatives to public transport due to disability constraints

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Capacity building: A support that enables a participant to build their independence and skills.

Participant only has flexibility to allocate funds within budget category but not across the below categories.
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Choice & Control
e.g. training and education in plan management or a plan manager

Daily Activity
e.g. therapy aimed at building capacity to participate

Employment
e.g. employment related assessment and counselling

Health and Well Being
e.g. exercise and diet advice to manage disability

Home Living
e.g. support to find or maintain appropriate accommodation

Lifelong Learning
e.g. assistance moving from school to further education

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Capital: Assistive technology, equipment and home / vehicle modifications

Participant must use funds for supports specifically mentioned in plan (e.g. wheelchair)
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Assistive Technology
e.g. communication aids, wheelchairs or vehicle modifications.

Home modifications
e.g. bathroom rail / general home rails

Car modifications
e.g. hand and foot controls or ramps.

How will I receive my money?

It all depends on how you manage your plan:

If you Agency manage then the payment will be made by the government directly to the provider who will supply the invoice on the myplace provider portal.

If you plan manage, then your plan manager will pay your providers on your behalf.

If you choose to self-manage your funds, the NDIS put money into your bank account after you've been invoiced by your supports, you can also be reimbursed if you have paid upfront.

At Provider Choice, we are a plan manager who can teach you how to self manage if you want. We see many families benefiting from both plan management and the transition to self management. If you're interested just get in touch at hello@providerchoice.com.au.

What happens if I don't spend all of my funds this year?

Funds that aren't spent at the end of the year can't be used for the next year. At your annual review meeting your planner will see how your money has been spent and if you have underspent they may reduce the amount you are given for the next year. There is one exception; if a service provider gave you a service during the year, they can still be paid with those funds. You'll talk about how you managed your funds and if your supports need to be changed in your review meeting.

Is there a cap on how much I can receive through the NDIS?

The only limit on the supports the NDIS fund for you is what's reasonable and necessary for your disability.

There is a price guide for support services, this is based on what the NDIS think is fair, and they'll pay that price for supports. If a service provider charges more than that price, and you don't self-manage and want to use them, you'll normally have to pay the difference.

What happens if I spend all my money before the end of my plan?

If you spend all your money before the end of the year and you feel you need more support, you can ask for your plan to be reviewed. If the NDIS agree that it's reasonable and necessary, that means fair and you need it, then the NDIS may give you more funding, but they may think it's not reasonable or necessary for you to get more funding.

Can the NDIS help me get a job?

The NDIS can help participants become employed by paying for supports that aren't paid for by employment services or employers.

These supports can include:

Learning job skills
Having transport to get to and from work
Having equipment such as wheelchairs or hearing aids.

How does choice and control really work?

Choice and control is a very important part of the NDIS.

As long as it's reasonable and necessary, you can make decisions about what's important to you to have in your plan.

You can choose providers to give you the supports in your plan.
• Depending on how you manage your plan you can choose from registered providers, or you can choose providers who are either registered or not like your local occupational therapy.

You can decide how, when and where you get those supports.

Are NDIS service agreements mandatory?

In some instances service agreements are mandatory under the rules of the NDIS. These include: specialist disability accomodation, the claiming of an establishment fee, negotiations of cancellations.

However many services do not require one, for example: carers, occupational therapists, personal trainers. It is up to the participant as to what they think will best suit the needs of their family when this is the case. Often fixing a price for a period of times and establishing you rights can be beneficial.

How does the NDIS money work?