Question 1

What is the difference between the budgets in my NDIS Plan?

Accepted Answer

There are three main budget groups in a NDIS Plan.  Not everyone’s plan has all three, it depends on what disability support/equipment you may need.
 
The Core Budget is the first and most common.
This budget is the most flexible in it’s use. It is most used to pay for your disability support at home or in the community, the purchase of consumables, low-cost Assistive Technology (AT) and travel.
 
The Capacity Building budget is the next.
This budget is mostly used to pay for the allied health services.  Services that help you to maintain your strength and protect against future loss of independence.  This budget is used to pay for services such as Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech Therapy, Sports Exercise/Dietician, Psychology, and other clinical services of a similar kind.Your Support Coordination is also funded in this budget. If you don’t have Support Coordination funded in your plan but need a Support Coordinator, then give us a call to see how Yes Service may be able to assist.
 
The Capital Budget is all about items to be purchased.
This budget is used to pay for your disability support equipment. Items such as wheelchair, hoist, ramps special bed/mattress and many other kinds of Assistive Technology to aid you in overcoming the inherit constraints of your disability. This budget is also used to pay for car and house modifications and other accommodation related services.

Question 2

What happens if I spend my money too fast?

Accepted Answer

If your disability support requirements increase, we need to notify the NDIS that you have had a Change in Circumstances, this may trigger a review of your plan to reconsider what your funding needs are.  Your support coordinator can assist you with this.

If you have not had a change in circumstances, then you may need to reconsider your plan budget with a view of aligning your support expenses with your available funding. Your support coordinator can assist you with this.

Question 3

What the NDIS does not cover?

Accepted Answer

The NDIS does not cover general everyday living expenses that people without a disability would be expected to pay, such as rent/mortgage payments, groceries, cleaning products or theme park tickets.

Question 4

Do I have to pay for my services from my own pocket if my plan runs out of money?

Accepted Answer

Generally, the answer is No.

When you engage a service to support you, your Support Coordinator can assist you to understand the terms of the Service Agreement between yourself and your service provider before they start supporting you.

If there is any financial obligation to yourself it should be outlined in the service agreement up front.

Question 5

Does my Support Coordinator pay my service providers from my NDIS Plan?

Accepted Answer

No, your Support Coordinator role does not involve paying invoices on your behalf.

Question 6

Will I get less funding in my next NDIS Plan if I don’t spend all the money in my current plan?

Accepted Answer

Each plan should reflect your assessed reasonable and necessary need.  If you can provide a reasonable explanation to your NDIS Planner when your plan is reviewed about why your previous plan was underused, the Planner will be able to take this into account when assessing what support is anticipated to be Reasonable and Necessary in the next plan.

For example, you may have been sick and in hospital for a large percentage of your previous plan. If this was the case it would be expected that your funding is not all used. In fact, it may be an inappropriate use of the funding if you have used all your funding.

Every case should be considered on its individual merits.

Question 7

Can I use my plan funding to go on a holiday?

Accepted Answer

Your plan funding may be able to pay for your disability supports when on holiday, but the NDIS will generally not pay for the travel, accommodation or site seeing (admission to attractions) for yourself or your support worker/s.

Frequently Asked Questions