Whether you have just started your NDIS journey or you're a seasoned coordinator, there's always more to learn about.
We are going to look at the basics of different housing options and how the NDIS fund it. There are also a real-world example, so that you can understand there are barriers, but in the pursuit of your NDIS customers wellbeing, you will travel those roads to get what they need.
The NDIS helps support individuals to live as independently as possible while still maintaining and participating in their communities. These options include:
Supported Independent Living (SIL)
SIL accommodation assists with the day-to-day tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, and personal care. This can be done in a shared living arrangement. Participants can often live in a house with others and receive 24/7 support from support workers based on their individual needs. If your customer is seeking this type of housing, they'll need to set a new goal to explore their home and living options. You can assist them with this as their plan approaches its end, or if there's more urgent need due to a change in circumstances. When the NDIS evaluates an application for Supported Independent Living (SIL), they consider how it:
Helps the participant pursue their goals.
Improves or maintains functional capacity, essentially enabling the participant to do more with less support.
Reduces or maintains their needs for person-to-person assistance.
Helps to enhance family and community ties.
Let's look at a potential scenario, these can be familiar in family situations where a participant resides with their parents. Initially, the parents have taken on the role of caregivers out of love and concern for their child. However, as time progresses, this can inadvertently result in the customer becoming excessively dependent on their parents for all aspects of their life. The continuous strain of caregiving responsibilities can lead to burnout for the family members, affecting their overall well-being. Aging parents often have their own health battles. The participant and their family may experience fatigue and a sense of being overwhelmed, eventually everyone withdrawing from activities and not fully engaging in life. Transitioning to supported accommodation can offer a positive experience for the participant. It provides them with the opportunity to learn new skills, establish meaningful friendships, engage in outings, and potentially enhance their daily living abilities. By living more independently, the participant can regain a sense of autonomy and agency over their life. Moving into supported accommodation can alleviate the obligation on the family members who were previously the primary caregivers. This shift can definitely impact the family dynamic, allowing them to focus on nurturing their relationship without the constant strain of caregiving responsibilities. |
To make an informed decision, they NDIS will also need additional information from your customer's allied health team, such as assessments and daily needs reports.
Initially, the chosen provider can submit a roster of care (ROC) indicating the hours of support your customer is likely to require. While the NDIS no longer requires the ROC on an ongoing basis, it can still be helpful if there are any changes in circumstances.
Providers can use the ROC internally on an annual basis to manage their budgets and support hours. However, the NDIS won't base the final plan budget solely on the provider's assessment of what the provider deems as necessary support.
It's important to note that all Supported Independent Living (SIL) providers must be registered and adhere to the standard code of conduct in all interactions with your customer.
Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
SDA refers to housing that is designed to meet the needs of people living with major disabilities. It includes items such as wheelchair accessibility, specialised equipment – like hoists and modifications to support independent living. (It should be noted that the SDA company is obligated to include basic equipment, like ceiling hoist rails installed).
SDA funding covers the cost of the physical dwelling, but participants still need to cover their support costs through other NDIS funding streams like SIL.
There is a growing market for SDA housing and the NDIS has assisted with encouraging investment in high-quality and well-designed dwellings. In this type of home the SDA funding is paid directly to the provider to cover building and maintenance costs. Participants pay a reasonable rent contribution and other day to day costs such as utility bills.
There are stringent rules in place on the obligations of SDA providers, they need to be registered and NDIS oversees the requirements such as design, building type and how the pricing is affected by these criteria.
Your customer will need a goal surrounding this support and evidence such as:
Reports from allied health
Evidence of extreme functional impairment
High support needs
As with all funding, the NDIS criteria are the same:
Helps to pursue goals.
Is effective.
Is value for money.
Is appropriately funded by the NDIS.
Wont cause harm to others.
There are options based on what type of home your customer requires and this could include living alone with shared onsite support. This means that when there are not their own supports available at regular hours, then the onsite support can assist.
Short-Term Accommodation (STA)
Is respite care, but also an opportunity for your customer to explore different things – such as building their independence. STA provides temporary housing for individuals living with disabilities when their usual carers are unavailable or during periods of transition. It can be provided in various settings, including group homes, specialist facilities, or private residences.
You can further explore this topic in our previous post: Short Term Accommodation
MTA Accommodation
Medium term accommodation is a housing support option where the NDIS can provide your customer housing if their long-term home has delays in getting their disability supports ready. Or your customer is moving from one SIL support to another. It's not a standalone support but is included in your plan along with other home and living support needs.
Usually, the NDIS fund medium term accommodation for up to 90 days, with the possibility of extensions in certain situations. If the longer-term housing will take longer than 90 days to be ready, then the NDIS needs to be notified.
Funding for medium term accommodation covers only the cost of the accommodation during your stay. It's an additional expense incurred due to your disability support needs, such as waiting for home modifications to be completed. However, it doesn't include everyday living expenses like food, internet, or electricity, nor does it cover personal care supports or other in-home services. If you require these supports while in medium term accommodation, they will be funded from your customers plan in the usual way.
Medium term accommodation funding is typically provided as a one-time support because it's assumed that once you move into your long-term home, you won't need it again. It's distinct from short term or emergency housing, as there are other mainstream, and community supports available for general housing and accommodation assistance such as homelessness.
Home Modifications
The NDIS will also fund home modifications to existing homes to improve accessibility and independence for people living with disabilities. These modifications can include installing ramps, widening doorways, adding handrails, or adapting bathrooms to accommodate specific needs.
As providers ourselves, we understand the frustration and length of time it can take for NDIS home modifications.
Take, for example, Dave, a man in his early fifties living with early onset Parkinson’s Disease alongside his wife and two sons. Despite his wife's full-time job and Dave's part-time work in a modified role, managing the disease's progression over the past decade has been mentally and physically taxing for the entire family. The family explored various options but ultimately decided to remain in their home, despite its design flaws posing risks to Dave's ability to shower independently and move around safely. Dave applied for Home Modifications through his support coordinator, who enlisted a specialist occupational therapist to document the necessary home and living adjustments. The proposed modifications included changes to the bathroom and installation of rails and a front ramp due to uneven steps. During a plan review, the NDIS planner added the requirement for quotes from a specialist builder to assess and report on the proposed work. Although everything initially seemed on track, the NDIS took over eighteen months to approve the building works. During this delay, Dave experienced multiple falls, rendering him unable to continue working. However, the process was prolonged, requiring Dave and his family to use temporary facilities for showering and toileting due to their modest home having only one bathroom. Dissatisfied with the design options presented, (remember value for money) Dave opted to include additional features at his own expense. From application to completion, the entire process of obtaining the new bathroom and safer separate toilet took two years and eight months. |
There are many options available to your customers, you need to begin with the Home and Living assessment and see what is going to suit them.
The NDIS is not always swift in their rulings in any of the home support categories, but when it does come about it can mean a new life for your customers, one that enhances their wellbeing.
We wish you well, as always.
The Lama Care Team
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