Navigating your own NDIS journey
[Image Description: The image has dotted lines, looking like roads that lead to grey numbered boxes with orange text stating: You Are Here, 1- Apply to the NDIS, Access Approved, 2- Planning meeting, Receive NDIS plan, 3- Implementation meeting, 4- Is your plan working? 5- End of plan.] Want a detailed copy of the map? Download here.
Who’s ready for a road trip?
The road to the NDIS stretches out to the horizon, promising to take you to a land where your needs are taken care of. A land where you’ve got the support you need to reach your goals, and the chance to be both more independent and part of the community.
But how on earth do you get there?
The NDIS process is a tricky journey, and many people find themselves taking a wrong turn before they’ve even been approved. But just like with any road trip, being in the driver’s seat and knowing what to expect, which forks in the road to take and which to avoid, makes the ride so much smoother.
Here’s your map to the NDIS, so that you can be prepared, be proactive, and get yourself to where you want to go, leaving the overwhelm behind. Are you ready to take the wheel?
Apply to the NDIS
After checking that you might be eligible for NDIS, the first thing you need to do is gather your evidence and submit your application. The Access Request Form is available on the NDIS website, but if it’s easier for you, you can apply verbally by calling 1800 800 110.
The evidence you supply regarding your disability could make or break your acceptance, so take your time here.
There are certain diagnoses that the NDIS acknowledges will likely be accepted - check out the lists of conditions that are likely to meet the disability requirements, and conditions that are likely to result in a permanent impairment, to see if any of these apply to you.
However - If your disability is not listed, then it becomes absolutely vital to have evidence that shows your functional capacity - that is, how your disability impairments impact on your day to day life.
The best evidence will come from your treating health professionals, such as your GP, psychologist, or occupational therapist, and could be in the form of reports, assessments, or letters. If you’re using the NDIS Access Request Form, section 2 should be completed by them also.
Yourself and those closest to you know your day to day struggles better than anyone, so you could also provide evidence in the form of a carer impact statement, or letters from support staff or teachers etc. If you can, you should also provide a self account of what your days look like. Be truthful here, but also make this an account of your worst days- this is not the time to downplay your impairments.
If you need any help filling out forms or submitting your application, your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) is able to help you. LAC’s are partners of the NDIS in the community who help connect people with supports both inside of and outside of the NDIS. You can find your local LAC office by searching here.
The NDIS will respond to your application for access request within 21 days.
Your application could go one of three ways:
They ask for further information - this means they don’t believe there is enough evidence to make a decision and they will likely ask for something specific to be supplied. It’s in your best interests to supply this as soon as you can, together with any other new evidence you’ve obtained since you put in the original application.
Access declined - unfortunately the NDIS don’t believe you meet their eligibility criteria. You have the right to request they review this decision and you can supply further evidence.
Access approved - Breathe a sigh of relief! You’ve made it past the first bump in the road.
2. Planning meeting
After getting approved, the next step is to have a planning meeting with your LAC or NDIS Planner. In the planning meeting you will discuss:
Your goals.
Where you live, your living arrangements and how you take care of yourself.
How you move around home and the community.
Your social and recreational activities
Whether you work or study – or want to
Your current support network – e.g. friends, family, service providers
Whether you use assistive equipment or devices
What supports you might need to build your skills or independence
Remember that your Planner/LAC doesn’t know you! This meeting will help them understand the level and type of funding you need in your NDIS Plan but it’s up to you to let them know what you need. The more prepared you are, the more likely you’ll end up with a plan that includes what you hope for.
NDIS Booklet 2 is an excellent guide with worksheets that will help you get down on paper everything you’ll want to talk about in the meeting.
A big part of an NDIS plan is the “Goals” section. Goals become the gatekeepers to what supports you can access. Make sure you spend some time thinking through your goals and writing them down before the planning meeting. Here are some blog posts that will can help you along:
Explore the eight domains of your life for life-changing NDIS goal setting
Give your NDIS goals some SCOPE
Before the meeting, you’ll also want to think about how you would like your budget to be managed. There are three options: Plan managed, Self managed, or Agency Managed. Here’s a overview of the different types from our partner’s website, with the pros and cons of each to help you decide what’s best for you:
Which type of plan management is best for you?
If you know you’ll have difficulty understanding your plan or connecting to different service providers, you may want to request funding be included for a Support Coordinator (or a Recovery Coach if your disability is psychosocial). Support Coordinators can help to make sure you’re utilising your funding in the best possible way, as well as taking on admin type tasks that would be difficult for you to manage.
A good thing to keep in mind at the meeting is… if you don’t ask, you don’t get.
Following the meeting, your LAC/Planner will consider what funding should be included and write up your plan within 56 days (or 90 days for children under 7). You will receive your plan and be invited to the next part of the journey.
3. Implementation meeting
Your LAC or Planner will contact you to ask if you would like to have an implementation meeting (usually within 28 days). It’s not a requirement but it is a good idea, especially for new NDIS participants.
Your implementation meeting is a chance to:
Ask any questions you have about your plan and how to use your funding
Bring up any concerns you have about your plan
Ask what you can and can’t buy with your funds
Get advice on finding service providers, setting up service agreements and service bookings
Get instructed on how to use the MyPlace portal to track your spending, view your plan, and update details
Ask about supports you may be able to access in addition to your NDIS plan (such as community or mainstream supports)
Hopefully at this stage you have a clear idea of how you can use your funding, who can help you do it, and how it comes out of your plan. You’ll see plenty of billboards for all different Service Providers during this part of the road trip, and now’s the time to choose the right ones for you.
4. Assess - Is your NDIS plan working for you?
Even when we’re cruising down the highway, music on with the windows down - we still need to check the map every now and then. Things change, new stuff pops up, and your plan could need an adjustment. It’s a good idea to take some time every 3 months or so to assess:
Is my budget on track?
Do I feel like I'm working towards my goals?
Am I happy with my service providers?
Have my disability needs changed?
You should also request progress reports from your treating health professionals if you’re nearing the end of your plan.
If things aren’t going well or you feel something's not quite right, always speak up and contact your LAC.
If your plan needs a major reassessment, there are a few options:
If you are within 90 days of your new plan being approved, you can ask for an internal review of the funding decisions made in your plan.
If your situation or needs have changed, you can submit a Change of Circumstance form at any time
If your plan is close to its end date you can request that a full plan reassessment be undertaken at that date
There’s always going to be bumps in the road, but it’s how well we navigate around them that determines what happens next. Remember it’s up to you to be your own self advocate - only you know if your plan is working for you.
5. End of your plan
About six weeks before your plan is due to end, the NDIS should be touching base for a check-in. If you don’t hear from them, make sure to be proactive and give them a call on 1800 800 110.
They’ll ask how you’re going and look at whether your funding has been utilised properly. This check-in will help them decide whether your plan needs any changes for the next one, or if it can maintain the same level of funding for the next period.
This is your time to speak up and tell them what you want out of the next plan and any evidence or reports you have gathered along your journey to support your position. If you have new support needs you want to access in the new plan, you should request a plan reassessment.
A plan reassessment is much like your initial planning meeting back at step 2, and remember it’s all about preparation. If you’re seeking changes, make sure you have the evidence to back it up, or obtain quotes for equipment. This is where your progress reports from your treating health providers will be critical too, particularly if they are recommending an increase in services.
If your current plan end date comes up before the new plan is approved, don’t worry your current plan will be extended so that you can continue with all your services and supports in place. But, make sure you be proactive to find out what is going on and to stay in the loop of what is happening with your new plan.
Navigating your NDIS Journey requires you to be prepared, proactive and ready to self-advocate
You are in the drivers seat and it is up to you to get to the destination you want. Did you find this article helpful? Join Kinora’s supportive NDIS online community, because this winding and bumpy journey can be made better when we do it together. Connect with others who are going through their own NDIS journey and access information and resources to help you along the way.
