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Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the National Disability Insurance Scheme?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a new way of providing funding and support for people with disabilities across Australia.
The NDIS provides lifetime supports to individuals who meet the eligibility to criteria. The support is based on a plan that includes your support needs, goals and aspirations.
Who is the National Disability Insurance Agency?
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is the government agency responsible for managing the NDIS.
The NDIA manage the administration of all NDIS funding and are able provide information about how the NDIS works, whether you or the person you care for is eligible, and how you can take part in the NDIS.
What is the difference between NDIS and NDIA?
NDIS stands for National Disability Insurance Scheme.
It is a new national system of providing support for people with disabilities, their families and carers. It is focused on providing real choice and flexibility to people with disabilities, through the provision of personalised funding.
People with a disability who are eligible take part in the scheme are called “participants”.
The NDIA is the National Disability Insurance Agency.
It is a government agency whose role is to implement and manage the NDIS and ensure people with disabilities continue to get the support they need.
How does it work?
If you are eligible for the NDIS, you will receive funding on an annual basis to purchase the services, aids and equipment you need from the service provider/providers of your choice such as Elm Embrace Support Services.
You can choose to either to self-manage your own funds, in which case you make claims to NDIS personally, or else ask the NDIA – the agency established to administer the NDIS – to manage your funding for you.
As individual circumstances, conditions or needs change, NDIS participants will be able to apply to have their funding plan adjusted so it always meets their needs and goals.
Who can access the NDIS?
Eligibility for NDIS funding is determined by the NDIA and comes down to various factors:
Disability & Early Intervention You must:
Have a permanent disability, which limits your ability to participate in your community, obtain employment, and perform day-to-day tasks without support from a carer or assistive technology.
OR
Have a permanent disability (or developmental delay for children under 6 years) which would likely benefit from receiving supports now, with the aim of reducing the amount of support needed in the future.
Residency status
You must be an Australian citizen, hold a permanent visa or be a New Zealand citizen with a Protected Special Category Visa.
Age
You must be under 65 years of age.
We recommend that you confirm your eligibility with the NDIS by calling the NDIA on 1800 800 110.
What about people over the age of 65 years?
People over the age of 65 are not eligible for the NDIS.
People over 65 who currently receiving disability support will be provided with the same supports and funding that they received prior to the transition to the NDIS.
Is there a limit to the funding available for my plan?
The NDIS does not have a defined limit for each person’s funding. Funding is very personalised, and tailored for your specific needs. When support is deemed as ‘reasonable and necessary’, you are entitled to funding for that support.
As such, the focus is not on the cost of funding, but on delivering the supports you need to achieve your goals.
Do I need to do anything?
Yes, the NDIS will ask you to think about what your goals are and what support you need.
Goals are ideas you have about what you want to do in your life. They can be big or small and cover many parts of your life. For example, goals can be becoming more independent, going to school, spending time with friends or being healthy.
This will be easier if you do some planning. Elm Embrace Support Services can help you figure out what you already get and we have people who can help you to figure out what you need to achieve your goals.
I am currently receiving services and support from another provider. What will NDIS mean for me?
Increased flexibility and choice is what is encouraged under the NDIS. This means that many people can access different support from many services.
You may find as you transition through to the NDIS that you identify goals and ambitions in areas where Elm Embrace Support Services can support you to achieve your goals, and some areas where another provider is better able to assist you.
We are here to help you achieve your goals. You tell us what you need, and we can tailor it for you.
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