
Understanding NDIS Funding What’s Covered and What’s Not?
NDIS is a life-changing Australian government initiative, that provides financial support to people with disabilities eligible for it. If you are new to the NDIS or have heard about it from residents in New South Wales, it goes without saying that knowing how to use NDIS funding is essential.
Popular Care Disability services in Wodonga which are part of the National Disability Insurance Agency, can be comprehensive. As a result, it can be challenging for people with disabilities to understand whether they can avail of all the services with their approved plan.
Knowing what is covered and not covered under NDIS funding is essential to expect things clearly and seek other resources if needed. In this blog, we will explore three NDIS funding categories: Core Supports, Capacity Building, and Capital Supports. Additionally, we will learn practical tips to maximise NDIS funding to help you lead a fulfilling life.
How Does NDIS Funding Work?
NDIS schedules a planning meeting with every person struggling with permanent disability. If you become eligible, the local area coordinator then asks about your goals, needs, and aspirations to discuss the type of support and services you will require.
The NDIS support workers guide you through each support category, which is Core, Capacity Building, and Capital support. Your budget in the NDIS plan is distributed to each of these categories which you can avail with Popular Care offering disability services in Wodonga.
Core Supports
Core Support is one of the primary funding categories within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Services under this category are about assistance with everyday activities and enjoy a social circle with community members.
What is Covered Under Core Support?
1. Daily Living Activities
- Help with showering, dressing, grooming, and toileting.
- Cooking, meal planning, and feeding.
- Help with cleaning, laundry, gardening, and other domestic chores.
- Support with moving around the home or shifting from bed to wheelchair.
2. Transport Facility to Allow Participants to Travel Around Community Events, Jobs, Training, and Leisure Places
- Help with commuting to social and community events, appointments, and other activities.
- Assist with travelling to offices, training centres, and other work-related purposes.
- Encourage commute to sports, clubs, or cultural events.
3. Medical Care Funding
- Funding for continence aids, wound care supplies, and other necessary medical products.
- Personal care items like disposable gloves, sanitary wipes, and other hygiene products.
What is Not Covered Under Core Support?
1. Non-Disability Related Expenses
- People with disability cannot avail expenses like rent, utilities, and groceries as these are not related to the participant’s disability.
- Movie tickets, video games, or vacation costs.
2. Luxury Items That Are Not Necessary for Daily Living
- Does not include costs for buying the latest smartphones, tablets, or gaming consoles.
- Premium household appliances that are not required for the participant's disability needs.
With such understanding, NDIS participants can use funds more cautiously while exploring different disability services in Lavington.
Capacity Building Supports
Services under capacity building support are focused on improving the participant’s life skills and enhancing their capabilities.
What is Covered Under Capacity Building Support?
1. Support Coordination
- NDIS funding helps with finding and selecting appropriate service providers.
- Guides you through the NDIS process, meetings, and comprehensive management plans.
2. Life Skills Development
- Trains participants to take care of personal hygiene, cooking, and cleaning.
- Teaches the concept of budgeting and financial management.
- Develops social and communication skills to assist you to lead your life independently.
3. Employment-Related Support
- Job training and skill development programs.
- Support with resume writing and job applications.
- Workplace modifications and support to help participants succeed in their jobs.
4. Plan Management
- Financial management of NDIS funds.
- Payment of invoices and managing service agreements.
- Regular financial reporting and budget tracking.
What is Not Covered Under Capacity Building Supports?
1. Personal Expenses
- General Life Expenses Not Related to Disability Needs
- Daily living costs such as rent, groceries, and utility bills.
- Non-disability-related personal expenses.
2. Services Not Meant for Developing Life Skills
- Leisure and entertainment activities not connected to skill development or independence.
- Services or items that do not contribute to the participant’s goals or capacity building.
Understanding what is covered under Capacity Building Supports helps participants make choices in the disability services in Lavington to achieve independence, enhancing skills, and achieving long-term goals.
Category 3: Capital Supports in the NDIS
Funding for services under Capital Supports offer higher-cost assistive technologies, equipment, and modifications that are necessary to fulfil disability needs.
What is Covered Under Capital Supports?
1. Assistive Technology
- Offers Wheelchair support to assist individuals mobility needs.
- Communicative devices to people who are finding hearing, speaking, or understanding what is being told difficult.
2. Home Modifications
- Installing grab rails, accessible showers, and non-slip flooring.
- Adding ramps or stairlifts to improve mobility within the home.
- Adjusting doorways to accommodate wheelchairs or other mobility aids.
3. Vehicle Modifications
- Installing hand controls for participants who cannot use standard vehicle controls.
- Adding lifts or ramps to vehicles to facilitate wheelchair access.
- Adjusting seating to improve comfort and safety for participants with mobility issues.
What is Not Covered Under Capital Supports?
1. Items That Do Not Directly Support a Participant’s Disability Needs
- High-end electronics or gadgets that are not essential for managing the participant’s disability.
- Items like bicycles or sports gear not designed for disability support.
2. General Household or Vehicle Expenses
- Standard appliances such as refrigerators, ovens, or washing machines that are not modified for disability use.
- Regular vehicle servicing, fuel, or insurance costs that are not related to disability modifications.
Understanding what is covered under Capital Supports is crucial for NDIS participants, as it allows them to make choices about the type of assistive technologies and modifications they need when considering disability services in Lavington.
How to Make the Most Benefit of Your NDIS Funding?
1. Plan and Set Goals
- Take the time to think about short and long term goals before scheduling meeting the NDIS coordinator. This can be related to daily living, employment, community participation or life skills.
- Write your goals while prioritising the most important ones.
2. Work with Support Coordinators and Plan Managers
- Engage a support worker to understand all about NDIS more closely. They will even help to connect with likewise service providers and manage your plan effectively.
- Choose the right plan manager if you are choosing plan management to manage your NDIS funds without any hassle.
- Communicate with all the concerned caregivers, healthcare professionals, and other workers who are making your life a little easier. This will help them understand your changing needs and concerns.
3. Review Your NDIS plan
- Keep track of what is working, and how you are progressing.
- Request a plan review if you think your current plan is not meeting your needs.
- Regularly look after the changes in NDIS policies, funding criteria, and other support systems you can access from disability service providers.
Final Words
We hope you liked reading this blog. We outlined how NDIS funding works, different support categories available to people with disabilities, and tips on maximising the funding available.
As mentioned, we explored what Core Supports cover and elements it does not cover. Coming to Capacity Building supports cover and funding you cannot avail under this service. At last, we also explored what services to expect from Capital Supports and what services require personal expenses.
As we weigh the funding available for different support categories, we also learnt how to make the best use of it. Still, the role of NDIS service providers like PopularCare cannot be overlooked. With their disability services in Wodonga, you can assure yourself that your NDIS funding is in safe hands.