If you, a family member of someone you care for have a disability and you are looking for a helping hand to guide you through the process of applying for the NDIS, then you have come to the right place. There are a few important steps involved before you can have your very own NDIS plan. So, stick with us here and we take you every step of the way.
What is the NDIS?
The NDIS or National Disability Insurance Scheme, is Australia’s national scheme for those living with a disability. It funds the costs associated with disability.
There are a number of ways you can access the fund from the NDIS and these include:
- Vehicle modifications
- Daily living products – such as our Uccello Kettle
- Home modification design and construction
- Transport
- Therapy supports
- Help from skilled works etc.
Checking your eligibility:
There are 5 short questions the NDIS asks to help you identify whether you or someone you care for are eligible.
- Your age
- Citizenship
- Your disability
- Whether you use mobility aids or not
- Whether you need support now to help reduce your future needs
To answer these questions is easy, it’s with a yes or a no. If the vast majority of your answers where yes, you can move forward to applying for the NDIS. If your answers where a no, there are potentially others supports available for you here.
Applying for the NDIS:
In order to make life that little bit easier, they offer 1 of 3 ways you can apply:
- Via phone on 1800 800 110
- Via email (once you have completed the Access Request Form, which you will need your doctor to help fill in) on NAT@ndis.gov.au
- At your local LAC or NDIA office
It can generally take up to 21 working days to hear back about your application, while you wait, might we suggest enjoying a cuppa?
Your NDIS Planning Process:
After submitting your Access Request Form, you will hear back within 21 working days whether you are eligible or not for NDIS support. If you are, you will be asked to sit down together with an NDIA planner or your LAC.
In order to make you feel more at ease and comfortable, you can bring your family, Carers, therapists etc. to the planning meeting. Within the planning meeting you will be asked about:
- Your personal details
- Your support network (family/community/mainstream)
- How you manage everyday activities such as washing, cleaning, cooking etc.
- Your safety
- Goals you would like to achieve
- How you would like to manage your NDIS plan
Once you have completed your planning process meetings, all of the above information will be sent to the NDIA for their approval. It’s important to note that the planner you sit with at the meetings cannot approve the contents of your plan.
NDIS Funding Packs: What Are They?
In your planning process meetings you will have spoken about how you wish to manage your NDIS plan. There are 3 packs you can choose from.
Self Managed
This is 100% managed by you. You can access your funding via the Myplace portal and are responsible for tracking all of your spending, claims and paying providers (such as store or a website you wish to buy a daily living aid from).
You would need to pay your service provider from your own account and then claim it back from the NDIA.
Plan Managed
The NDIA will allow for the funding of a plan manager within your plan. They will be able to access the funding for you, pay your providers and you keep track of your spending.
NDIA Managed
The NDIA pays the service providers for you. But you should note that if you choose this option, you will only be allowed to select from a list of NDIA-approved providers for any of your equipment or service needs.
Uccello Designs & The NDIS
You can purchase any of our daily living products, like the Uccello Kettle with your NDIS funding. Here’s how:
- If you have a ‘self managed‘ pack, there are 2 options open to you, you can either:
- Make a payment request to the NDIS and they will pay for your Uccello order or,
- You can pay for your Uccello order and claim it back from the NDIS.
For both options, you will need to contact our Customer Care Team and ask them for an invoice. All we ask is that you let us know whether you need it before or after the purchase.
- For those who have a ‘plan managed‘ pack, your plan manager can arrange to make the payment for you. You can buy direct from our website without issue here.
- With an ‘NDIA-managed‘ pack, you can contact out Customer Care Team and they will be happy to help you find a list of NDIA-approved provider stores near you.
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