I've got my NDIS plan! Now what?
Hooray, you’ve got an NDIS plan!
It’s probably been a while in the making. You did the preparation, you met with your Planner, and now you’ve seen the dollar figure attached to your supports.
Now what?
Read on as we take a look at your next steps.
1. Take the time to understand your plan
Let’s be frank - it can be confusing.
There’s a lot in there, and there’s a good chance some of it won’t make immediate sense. It’s important that you know what your plan means so you can do what’s best for you.
2. Make sure you understand the different budgets and what they can be used for
Your funding will likely be broken up in to three budgets, or ’support purposes’ as they are known in NDIS speak. These are core, capital and capacity building.
It’s important to understand the difference in the budgets - especially if you are self-managing.
There are 15 support categories that sit under the three support purposes. Here’s the breakdown of what that looks like:
| Support purpose | Outcomes framework domain | Support category (Plan budgets) |
|---|---|---|
|
Core |
Daily Living |
1. Assistance with Daily Life 2. Transport 3. Consumables 4. Assistance with Social & Community Participation |
| Capital | Daily Living Home |
5. Assistive Technology 6. Home |
| Capacity building |
Choice & Control |
7. Coordination of Supports |
On your plan, you’ll notice that your budgets will be broken up by support categories. This also helps make things easier to find in the NDIS Price Guide.
Core
A core support is an activity that helps you in your everyday life. The biggest thing to remember with your core budget is that the funding is flexible across the four support categories.
Capital
A capital support provides funding for equipment, home or vehicle modifications.
The NDIS are very specific in what this funding can be used for. Capital funding is not flexible and must be used for what it is allocated for.
Capacity building
Think of capacity building as an activity that helps you learn new skills. This includes things like living independently, finding a job, or getting help with your NDIS plan.
Capacity building funding is flexible, but can only be used for services in the support category.
3. Think about what you want
Take an hour or two to think it through. You’ve seen the bottom line of your plan, now it’s up to you to think about how you might like to use those funds.
You have ultimate control over which services to enlist and who provides them. (This includes working with providers to determine what is provided.)
4. Choose your service providers
It’s your choice which providers you choose to deliver the supports in your plan.
You have the right to feel respected by your chosen providers and you should feel free to raise questions and concerns with them. You can tell your providers how you would like to be communicated with and other things that are important to you when you are receiving supports.
If you have a Support Coordinator, it’s a good time to loop them in. They will be able to help you choose service providers.
5. Share your plan (if you want to)
Your NDIS plan is 100% yours.
You can choose who you share the details of your plan with, but you do not have to share your plan with anyone if you don’t want to.
Often people will share their plan with their family members and service providers, but you are under no obligation to do so. Your plan contains sensitive information about you and we recommend you think about who you are comfortable sharing this information with before you show your plan to anyone.
You can save and print your plan from the Myplace Portal.
6. Make agreements with your service providers
To receive services under the NDIS, you will need to fill out what is called a ‘Service Agreement’. This document should simply spell out how and when your supports will be delivered.
Service Agreements are different from your NDIS Plan. An NDIS Plan lists your supports, and your Service Agreement outlines how they will be delivered.
If you have a Support Coordinator, they will be able to help you through this process.
A couple of quick questions:
What if I’m not happy with my plan?
If you think a decision about your plan is incorrect or unfair there is a course of action you can take. This is called a ‘review process’.
Do they stop paying my old supports?
Yes, but only once you have a plan in place. Your plan will state when it takes effect.
Still confused?
You can give us a call on 1800 363 328 or send an email to [email protected].