10B Washington Street, Port Lincoln, SA 5606 (by appointment only)

Empowrd Port Lincoln

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Call (08) 8683 4401

Understanding the NDIS

What is the NDIS?

The National Disability Insurance Scheme is called the NDIS. The NDIS helps those under 65 with disability get care and supports.


The NDIS also helps families and carers with information about services to support people with disability. When people get help from the NDIS they can enjoy an ordinary life now and as their life changes.


As an insurance scheme, the NDIS takes a lifetime approach, prioritising early investment in people with disabilities to improve their outcomes later in life.

 Accessing NDIS

To Become an NDIS Participant a Person Must: 

Have a permanent disability that significantly affects their ability to take part in everyday activities;

Be aged less than 65 when they first enter the NDIS;

Be an Australian citizen or hold a permanent visa or a Protected Special Category visa; and

Live in Australia where the NDIS is available.

The below link contains relevant information about accessing NDIS, along with the NDIS Access Request Form which can be downloaded and printed.

https://www.ndis.gov.au/applying-access-ndis

Source : ndis.com.au website and 'About the NDIS' downloadable PDF resource.

Developing your First NDIS Plan

Your first step once you access the NDIS is to create your first plan. Find out more about using services such as plan management and support coordination to assist.

What is Plan Management?

This is when a participant chooses to use a plan management provider who will assist a participant with managing their NDIS plan funds. Plan management providers can purchase supports on behalf of participants from either registered or unregistered providers. A plan manager will receive funds from the NDIA and disburse funds on behalf of a participant to providers of other services received.

Management of Funding in a Participant’s Plan 

There are three ways that you can manage your plan - self-management, plan management and NDIA management, also known as agency-managed.

  • Plan Management

    The NDIS will pay your Plan Manager, who will directly pay for all support. You will have the choice and flexibility of providers

  • Self-Managed Plans

    The NDIS will pay you directly for the support you claim. Being self-managed, you also have choice and flexibility of providers.

  • Agency-Managed Plans

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Read More About Empowrd Plan Management Services

What is Support Coordination?

Support Coordination is carried out together with and on behalf of participants. It involves identifying, coordinating and accessing supports and services that meet your specific needs, wants and preferences.

Your Support Coordinator will

Help you understand your NDIS plan

Talk to you about the services you want

Find at least three providers that can deliver the services you want

Complete the paperwork needed by your chosen providers

NDIS Support Coordination Levels

There are three levels of support coordination that you can include in your plan:

Support Connection

This level is about helping you connect with informal community supports and services so you can reach your NDIS goals yourself. We’ll work with you to help create your goals and you get to choose your preferred providers and coordinate your own supports.

Support Coordination

Support coordination is when a provider such as Empowrd helps you understand your plan, navigate the NDIS, and use it to its full potential. This includes providing support to help you increase your capacity to maintain relationships, manage tasks, live independently, and become more active in the community.

Specialist Support Coordination

Specialist support coordination is for NDIS participants with complex needs. It involves working with a specialist support coordinator who will help you manage the challenges you’re facing in your support situation and ensure that you’re getting reliable service.

Read More About Empowrd Support Coordination Services

Simply ask your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or your planner at your next NDIS plan meeting to be plan managed or access support coordination.

After Your Planning Meeting

Once you have had your planning conversation, a number of things will happen so you can put your plan into action and start receiving your support funding.  The plan you discussed needs to be formally approved by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).

What Can I Buy?

We have prepared a checklist to support your understanding, rights and responsibilities in relation to what the NDIS refers to as ‘reasonable and necessary supports’.

Your Plan and your Budget

As an NDIS participant, you have choice and control over how you manage your NDIS plan.

NDIS and Other Support Available

While the NDIS is not intended to replace other services that are available to all Australians, such as health, education, employment, transport, aged care, justice and housing.

If you need some additional information, please refer to the NDIS website link here.

NDIS Booklets

If you need help contacting the NDIS, please call the translating and interpreting service on 131 450.

You can download digital translations of the booklets in 17 languages. See the languages page.


Applying for the NDIS

Booklet 1 of 3

This booklet covers:

  • what the NDIS does and who is involved
  • how to apply for the NDIS
  • what the NDIS funds.
Download

Creating your NDIS plan

Booklet 2 of 3

This booklet covers:

  • getting ready for your planning conversation
  • creating your NDIS plan
  • receiving your approved NDIS plan
Download

Using your NDIS plan

Booklet 3 of 3

This booklet covers:

  • what your plan includes
  • how to use your plan
  • how to choose and pay for your supports and services
  • how to prepare for a plan reassessment.
Download

Applying for the NDIS

Booklet 1 of 3

  • Easy read version
Download

Creating your NDIS plan

Booklet 2 of 3

  • Easy read version
Download

Using your NDIS plan

Booklet 3 of 3

  • Easy read version
Download

Let’s talk about work

This booklet covers:

  • planning for employment
  • exploring your employment goals
  • planning for when you leave school
  • fnding employment providers. 
Download

The early childhood approach

Helping children younger than 7

  • Information for parents and families
  • Easy Read version
Download

NDIS Getting started 

Download

Let’s talk about work

  • Easy read version
Download

Supporting families and carers

Psychosocial disability, recovery and the NDIS

Download

How to start NDIS

  • Easy read version for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders
Download

Provider Registration

Do you deliver supports and services to NDIS participants? Please contact us if you would like to make a difference in the lives of local people.

Get in Touch

Refer a Participant

Do you know someone who could benefit from our services? Refer them to Empowrd to help them get the support they need and deserve.

Contact Us Now

Be EMPOWRD to Live Your Best Life

If you are ready to be empowered to live your life to the fullest, let us steer you on the right path. To get started, sign up today or get in touch with us via our online enquiry form and we’ll get back to you shortly.

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