Are you making these NDIS mistakes?

There’s a saying that ‘smart people learn from their mistakes, but really smart people learn from the mistakes of others’.

We’ve identified some of the common mistakes people make when it comes to preparing for the NDIS and put them in to this blog, so others don’t make them too.

1) ‘Winging it’

We’ve found time and time again that the people who get the best results are the ones who put in the most work in the lead up to their NDIS transition.

When it comes to the NDIS, knowledge is power – the more you have, the better your chances of getting a plan you are happy with.

We understand that not everyone has oodles of time to devote to their NDIS journey, so we created a resource called Mapping My World to help you prepare. This tool will assist you in getting the most out of your NDIS plan.

2) Being vague in your planning meeting

We get it – talking about intimate details of your life to a virtual stranger can be tough. But in the case of the NDIS, it may be necessary.

One of the most important things to remember going in to your meeting is that the NDIS Planner does not know you. They will only know what you tell them. The more you tell them, the better they will understand your needs and goals, which will lead to the best outcomes.

At the end of the day, your Planner will be looking for an insight in to your life, what’s working and what’s needed. They might just need to ask a lot of questions to get there.

3) Not learning the lingo

Lots of people say their NDIS planning meeting can feel a bit like another language. In this regard, learning some of the common lingo can go a long way. 

4) Not speaking up

Don’t be afraid to ask for something that better suits your needs. For instance, if you prefer to have a face-to-face meeting and the Planner is organising a phone meeting – speak up! Let them know what works best for you.

It’s also worth noting that if the Planner calls at a bad time, you don’t have to have the planning meeting straight away. You can ask them to call you back at a time that’s more convenient for you.

5) Not writing things down

Planning for the NDIS can be a pretty stressful time, and sometimes important points can slip our mind. By writing things down, you can be sure you won’t forget anything on the day.

Here’s a few things we recommend you take with you to your meeting:

• A completed Mapping My World Booklet.
• A list of questions you would like to ask your Planner (we’ve put together this list of 10 questions to get you started).

6) Having unrealistic expectations

The NDIS won’t pay for your holiday, or fancy dinners out.

They will only fund what’s reasonable and necessary to support you in your daily life. To get a better idea of what that is, click through to our blog on the topic.

7) Not asking questions

The NDIS can be really confusing. No question is a dumb question, so if you’ve got even a little bit of doubt in your mind about something, be sure to speak up!