If you’re living with a disability and looking for support to live life the way you want to, there are several supports available through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to help you achieve your independent living goals.
These include Individualised Living Options (ILO), Supported Independent Living (SIL), Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), home modifications and assistive technology.
Read on to learn more about each option and which one might be best for you.
Individualised living options
What is an individualised living option?
Individualised living options (ILOs) are supports available under the NDIS that help people living with a disability live more independently. An ILO helps you to live how you want to live, where you want to live, and with the people you want to live with.
If you qualify for ILO support, they are added to your NDIS plan in two stages:
Stage one – In stage one, you’ll figure out what support you need, who you want to provide that support, who you want to live with and where you want to live. At the end of this stage, you’ll need to complete a service proposal form, which you can find on the NDIS website.
Stage two – Stage two includes putting all of these supports and plans in place.
If you have ILO included in your plan, chat to your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or Support Coordinator to assist.
Eligibility for ILO funding
An ILO might be a good option for you if:
- You’re 18+ years old
- You need at least six hours of support at home per day. This includes both formal and informal support
- You feel ready to live more independently and would like to create your ideal home.
An ILO might not be the best option for you if:
- You’re younger than 18 years old
- You require less than six hours of support at home per day
- You need full-time support
- You need overnight support
- You have a behaviour plan that includes restrictive support
Supported Independent Living
What is Supported Independent Living?
Supported Independent Living (SIL) provides support to complete daily tasks, such as personal care or cooking, so you can live more independently in your home.
How SIL funding works
SIL funding is provided by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and can be included in your NDIS plan if it’s right for you.
Your SIL provider will work with you to develop a roster of care, which is a document that identifies what supports you need, and when you need them throughout the week. Once the NDIA assesses and approves your roster of care, you’ll be ready to start receiving your supports.
Is SIL right for me?
For SIL to be the best option for you, you’ll need to:
- Be above 18 years of age
- Require more than eight hours of active disability support per day to do daily tasks
- Need some support for all other hours of the day, including overnight, seven days per week
If you have SIL included in your plan chat to your LAC or Support Coordinator to help connect you to a SIL provider.
Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
What is Specialist Disability Accommodation?
Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is a type of housing that provides accommodation for people living with a disability who have high support needs or significant functional impairment. SDA is designed to give people with a disability the opportunity to live as independently as possible in a home that is safe and appropriate for their needs.
SDA is funded by the NDIS, however it is important to remember that it is not a form of care or support, but instead is a type of housing. SDA can be provided in a range of settings, such as group homes, shared living and self-contained dwellings.
Your LAC or Support Coordinator to help you determine your housing goals and eligibility for SDA.
If you are eligible, you can prepare your application, which will involve exploring housing options and completing a Functional Capacity Housing Assessment to have SDA funding included in your NDIS plan.
Eligibility criteria for SDA funding
To be eligible for SDA funding, you must:
- Have high support needs or functional impairment
- Meet the SDA needs requirements and NDIS funding criteria
You can learn more about SDA eligibility on the NDIS website.
Home Modifications
What are home modifications?
Home modifications are changes made to your home to make it more accessible, safe and usable, which the NDIA may fund. Home modifications can include things like ramps, handrails, and bathroom modifications.
Any necessary home modifications can be discussed in your planning meeting with your LAC or NDIS Planner.
When do you need home modifications?
You may need home modifications if you:
- Experience safety concerns regarding how you move around your home
- Have difficulty completing tasks due to the way your home is built, such as showering
- Can’t use areas of your house that you need to
- Need changes made to your home so that your carers can provide the right supports
Types of home modifications
There are several types of home modifications available, including:
- Minor modifications – modifications that cost between $10,000 – $20,000
- Complex modifications – modifications that involve more than one area in your home
Your LAC or NDIS planner will help you determine what types of modifications you might need to support you to achieve your goals.
Assistive Technology
What is assistive technology?
Assistive technology is any device or system that helps you perform tasks that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to do due to your disability. Assistive technology can include things like wheelchairs, communication devices, and hearing aids, all of which can help you to live more independently.
As with all other supports, your LAC or NDIS planner can help you determine in collaboration with consulting allied health professionals whether assistive technology could help you achieve your goals.
Types of assistive technology available
Depending on your assistive technology (AT) needs, you may require low-risk AT products which are unlikely to cause harm in daily life and are easy to access, or you might need high-risk AT products, which are more complex and may require professional guidance to use safely.
Depending on your eligibility, AT products that are covered by the NDIS can include:
- Low cost – under $1,500 per item
- Mid cost – from $1,500 – $15,000 per item
- High cost – above $15,000 per item
If you have assistive technology included in your plan chat to your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or Support Coordinator to use your funding to acquire the relevant assistive technology.
Need more support?
If you need further support managing your NDIS funds and supports, you might like to consider reaching out to MyIntegra. We offer both Plan Management and Support Coordination services to help you make the most of your NDIS plan.
To learn more about how we can help you get the most out of your NDIS plan to help you live more independently, give us a call.
