Knowing where to begin when accessing the NDIS for the first time can be confusing. This step-by-step checklist can help put you on the front foot with your NDIS plan.
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What is the NDIS?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding directly to people with a disability. Hear and Say is a registered NDIS provider, with many of our programs and services eligible for NDIS funding.
We have a dedicated team to support you at any stage of your NDIS journey – from assisting in completing some of the required documentation (access request form), to preparing for the planning conversation, to using your funds.
How does it work?
Each NDIS participant has an individual plan which lists specific goals and the approved amount of funding. NDIS funding is used to purchase supports or services from an organisation, such as Hear and Say, to assist in achieving these goals.
Advocating for funds
Advocating for all the supports and services your child requires is key to ensuring they receive adequate NDIS funding. It’s a good idea to start by discussing what is needed with your clinician and our NDIS team, to ensure you have the information and quotes to advocate for this budget within your child’s NDIS plan.
Your NDIS planner also needs to know the different services your child will require throughout the whole 12-month timeframe.
Example services and impact
The below fact sheets can be used during your planning meeting with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) when updating or advocating for your NDIS plan. They provide common language used by the NDIA, as well as examples of how hearing loss may be affecting day-to-day activities and recommendations for devices and services which may be of benefit.
To start the process, fill out an Access Request form. You can do this by calling the NDIA on 1800 800 110 or download the form from the NDIS website, here. If your child is under seven years old, call your local Early Childhood Early Intervention Partner (more information below), before completing this form, to discuss the best access pathway.
This form gathers personal information, parent or legal guardian authorisation and evidence of disability or need for early intervention support. Your treating professional and copies of relevant assessments or reports also need to be included. Hear and Say’s NDIS team can also help you to fill out this form if needed.
You will receive confirmation of your access approval via email or mail. You will then be assigned a Key Worker who will contact you to arrange a planning meeting, either over the phone or in person.
Following the planning conversation, your Key Worker will submit your plan to the NDIA for approval. Once approved, you will receive a copy of your NDIS plan via email or post.
Once you have received your NDIS plan, please send a copy through to our NDIS team (via ndis@hearandsay.com.au) who will arrange a Service Agreement for your support at Hear and Say.
Managing your funding
As part of your planning meeting, you will discuss how you would like to manage your child’s NDIS funding. There are three ways you can manage your NDIS plan.
Agency-managed: Sometimes referred to as NDIA-managed, your providers (such as Hear and Say) will claim directly from your NDIS plan for the services they deliver.
Self-managed: Self-managing gives you complete control over how and where your NDIS funds are spent. Participants who self-manage their NDIS funds are responsible for paying providers directly for services received, submitting payment requests online via the NDIS myplace portal, and keeping records of supports purchased with NDIS funds.
Plan-managed: Plan-managing involves engaging a third party or financial intermediary organisation to manage NDIS funds on your behalf.
Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) partner
For families with children from newborn to six years old, NDIS will assign an ECEI partner. They will organise the planning conversation and assist in setting supports tailored to your child’s individual needs and circumstances.
Local Area Coordinator (LAC)
Families and carers of children over seven years of age will have a LAC who will organise the planning conversation and help you understand and use your plan.
Support Coordinator
If you need additional help in coordinating your supports and services, the NDIS may fund a Support Coordinator within your NDIS plan. The Support Coordinator will support you to use your child’s plan and achieve the agreed goals.
Using your funds
Once you receive your child’s approved plan from the NDIS, it is important for you to understand the different budget buckets and how your child’s plan is managed. You will be allocated funds across three different budgets:
- Core supports
- Capacity building supports
- Capital supports
These can be used across different services at Hear and Say, and our team can guide you to ensure you’re maximising your allocated funding.
Run out of NDIS funds?
Your approved NDIS plan will be valid for 12, 24 or 36 months with funds allocated based on your child’s support needs. In some cases, you may know that your approved NDIS plan will not cover your recommended services. You may also unknowingly overspend or run out of funds, or your circumstances could change affecting the services you need.
Change in circumstances
Sometimes, your child’s personal circumstances may change significantly which could then impact the supports or services they need. It is important to let the NDIA know about your changed situation, as a review of your plan can be requested.
We’re here to help
Our friendly NDIS team can support you at any stage of your NDIS journey. Be it accessing the NDIS for the first time, preparing for the planning conversation, or using your funds – we’re here for you.
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NDIS and group programs
If you have NDIS, you may be able to pay for the Group Social Skills program through your plan. Prices are subject to change in accordance with the NDIS price guide and will be applied at time of invoicing.
Under seven years old
Listen Little Stars, Little LEAP, LEAP, LAUNCHPad and ROCKET
These programs fall under the Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living category (15_005_0118_1_3) of your NDIS plan.
Over seven years old
PLANET, COMET, MARS, STAR, Hear to Live
These programs fall under the Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living category (15_056_0128_1_3) of your NDIS plan.
Payment options
There are several payment options for the Group Social Skills programs to suit various individual needs including:
- Individual upfront payment
- Through your NDIS plan funding
We understand upfront payment may be difficult for some families. If this is the case, you may choose to be invoiced for your registration on the day of the program starting. This invoice must be claimed immediately through the NDIS and then payment forwarded to Hear and Say within five days.
If you do not have NDIS
If you're ineligible for NDIS funding, or are yet to receive their NDIS plan get in touch with us and we'll see how we can help!
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We acknowledge the traditional custodians of all the lands on which we meet, work and live and recognise that this land has always been and always will be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land.
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