NDIS – The National Disability Insurance Scheme, is designed by the Australian Government to provide all the needed support to people with disability. If you’re eligible under this scheme, you’ll be provided with all the needed support to make sure you’re living an independent life.
However, the question of eligibility is the main concern. Listed below is the step-by-step analysis of how you should start your NDIS journey. Let’s have a look at them.
Step 1: Groundwork
Before starting the journey, it’s critically important to assess your eligibility. There are platforms where you can easily check your eligibility. Once you’re sure you can avail of the benefits, moving forward would make sense.
Step 2: Fill out the form and submit your request
Once you’re sure that you’re eligible for the NDIS scheme, you’ll have to fill out a form and submit your request. This is available on the NDIS website. The form will have information about yourself, your disability, where you live and who’s your guardian. It’s an extensive form and it is made to understand you and your requirements. After filling out the form, you’ll have to submit it either via email or post
or deposit it to the nearest NDIS office.
Step 3: Be prepared for your planning meeting
Once you’ve submitted your application, NDIS will review and accept your form. Once that happens, they’ll invite you to attend the planning meeting. This can be either in person via telephone or online. This meeting is conducted to know more about your and knows what is your current support and to see what can be done for the future. The meeting can be overwhelming that’s why you’re allowed to bring in
your family, friend or support coordinator.
Step 4: Ask for a plan manager
It’s a known fact that NDIS meetings are overwhelming and one might feel stressed out. You can always ask for a plan manager. A plan manager will help you optimise the funds, negotiate the rate and keep track of your funding to avoid any overspending and underspending. The plan manager will help with the following tasks:
- Keeping records of your bills and paying them on time
- Keeping track of your budget and spending
- Providing necessary advice on how to optimise the budget and funds
- Helping with a customised plan to maximise the budget on services
- Helping with negotiation on your behalf
- Helping you understand the NDIS’s languages
Step 5: Start your journey
After you’ve received your plan and chosen whether or not to hire the plan manager, you have started your NDIS journey. Despite getting the required funding, there will be questions and concerns regarding the terminology and other technicalities. It’s ideal to rely on certain online information to clarify those doubts.
- NDIS website – The website has all the needed information about your plan and how NDIS functions. For any questions regarding NDIS, it’s advised to visit the website.
- Plan Manager – If you’ve opted for a plan manager, ask them as many questions as you can ask. They are well aware of the plan and the scheme.
- Total Lifestyle Care – If the above two options have failed to answer your concern, then you can surely reach out to us. We’ll be happy to guide you.
NDIS has come into existence with a motive to provide all kinds of support to people with disability. It’s advised to opt for the scheme and make the most of it. The above steps will help you in starting your journey with the NDIS.
