The Australian Government and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) announced improvements and changes to the home and living supports covered under the NDIS at the start of April 2022. The new adjustments have been established in consultation with NDIS participants and providers to ensure the best possible outcomes for the people with a disability.
Minister for the NDIS, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC, said the changes will ensure that NDIS participants have easier access to Home and Living supports including Supported Independent Living (SIL) housing. The Australian Government is highly committed to speeding up the process and access to Home and Living supports for participants while respecting the individual needs and circumstances.
UDC is excited to see further improvements in these important categories and how they will help the people we support in achieving their goals. Read on to find out specific improvements announced by the Government in April 2022.
What are NDIS Home and Living supports?
The NDIS assists people with a disability to live more independently by providing supports in home and living categories. There are some costs that NDIS participants will be responsible for such as groceries, internet and general household items but the NDIS offers support in many other areas for its participants.
Although, there are some limited circumstances when NDIS can contribute to other specific costs. These contributions will depend on individual circumstances, and it is always best to check with your Support Coordinator or Plan Manager whether it will apply to your situation.
Supports funded by the NDIS in home and living categories include items and matters that will assist people with a disability to live more independently. These can include supports that build the participant’s capacity to engage with the community, improve their living, social and communication skills, and supports that improve their behavioural management.
If NDIS participants require any modifications to their home to assists them in the home and living goals, the NDIA will assess them on a case-by-case basis. Any assistance with personal care, cleaning, and other help around the home are usually funded if the participant is unable to engage in these tasks.
What is Supported Independent Living disability housing?
People with a disability who require assistance at home and have higher support needs are best suited for SIL housing. UDC offers shared SIL housing in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Tweed Heads, and Northern New South Wales such as Ocean Shores.
Our current NDIS SIL housing vacancies can be viewed on our website and support can be available 24 hours per day. We aim to help the people we support to find the right home where they can live in a peaceful and balanced environment. We take care to ensure that each of our tenants are compatible with each other and have shared interests with their housemates.
Our SIL homes vacancies are generally a room in a shared accommodation home and occasionally a private unit or similar.
Improvements to SIL in 2022
The NDIA is committed to improve the delivery of SIL supports to NDIS participants. So, the NDIA is aiming to work with SIL housing providers in the future to further improve the delivery of Home and Living supports for people with a disability.
The new innovative approach allows providers and participants to design modern ways in which participants can achieve their goals. The NDIA has announced that the specific metrics for its home and living decisions will be published in the aim of improving the timeliness of decisions.
Minister Reynolds also mentioned that in order to provide transparency and clarity for NDIS participants, the NDIA will provide a point of contact in regards to these decisions. These improvements will further enhance the previous implementation of Participant Service Guarantee for the NDIA. The further announced changes in April 2022 have been briefly outlined below.
Simplifying the claiming process
The new claiming process entails weekly claims which aims to assist NDIS participants in negotiating with providers about their supports. In addition, this change will reduce the burden of administrative tasks by simplifying the process.
Transition approaches
The improvements to SIL include a simplified and transparent transition process to new levels of support. This entails step down processes for managing material changes to SIL supports.
Unplanned exist payment
A new SIL payment for providers is introduced under the 2022 improvements. The payment will apply only under limited circumstances when a participant leaves shared SIL housing in an unexpected way.
Pathways for Individualised Living Options improved
In 2022, the NDIA will improve the pathways to Individualised Living Options (ILO) for both participants and NDIS providers. The purpose for ILO supports is that NDIS participants can choose the home they live in.
Under ILO supports, people with a disability can set up their supports in a way that works for them and their goals and individual needs. This includes sharing their home with housemates, friends, family members or partners.
Minister Reynolds says that the NDIA will aim to improve and develop ILO pathways in 2022 so that participants with home and living goals can better examine ILO as a potential support option. She further highlights the Government’s commitment for ensuring that people with a disability have the support they need and the choice and flexibility to decide where and how they want to live.
If you have any further questions about the announced improvements or if you’re seeking SIL housing on the Gold Coast or any other area, make sure to contact our friendly team today or give us a call on 1300 454 850.
