NDIS

Understanding the NDIS and your Supported Independent Living plan with Shalom Retreat

What is the NDIS?

In Australia, approximately 4.3 million people are living with some form of disability. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding to eligible individuals who are living with a significant and permanent disability, to give them access to support and assistance to help them live a more dignified and fulfilling life and more choice on where they would like their funding dedicated. For some individuals, their NDIS plan allows them to live independently with the level of support they need to achieve their life goals and aspirations.

NDIS – what does it actually mean?

NDIS stands for the National Disability Insurance Scheme;

National

The NDIS is available to all eligible Australia citizens and residents and is being rolled out across all states and territories throughout Australia.

Disability

The NDIS provide support to eligible individuals who have a significant and permanent disability. This includes individuals with an intellectual, physical, sensory, cognitive and psychosocial disability.

Insurance

The NDIS provides support and peace of mind for individuals living with a significant and permanent disability and their support networks that they will get the funding and assistance they need to live a long and fulfilling life.

Scheme

The NDIS is not classified as a welfare system, although it is funded by the Australian government. It is an insurance scheme designed to give individuals the support they need to live independently despite their disability.

How does the NDIS work and how do I know if I am eligible for a NDIS support plan?

The NDIS has specific eligibility criteria to be able to access funding for disability support. This includes:

Be aged between 7 – 65 years old
Be an Australian citizen, resident, or permanent visa holder
Have a significant or permanent disability that requires support from others
Utilise special equipment to support you because of your permanent and significant disability
The need for support now to assist you in managing your significant and permanent disability in the future

To check whether you are eligible for the NDIS, you can fill in the eligibility checker online.

If you believe that you meet the eligibility criteria for NDIS support, you can apply directly for the NDIS by filling in an Access Request for funding. The Access Request will ask questions about your eligibility status, and gather information about how your significant and permanent disability impacts on your daily life and your overall quality of life. You may be asked to provide supporting evidence from medical practitioners, as well as other health professionals to confirm your statements. Once you have received confirmation through an Access Decision, you can proceed with creating your own NDIS plan.

Your NDIS plan is tailored to your own specific needs and, together with your assigned support coordinator, you are able to dedicate funding to areas in your life that next extra support and assistance. This might include funding to support the pursuit of lifelong goals, household supports, physical disability support aids, or ongoing care staff. Once your plan is implemented, it is reviewed periodically to ensure that your supports are working for you and helping you as best as is practicable.

What types of supports can I get under my NDIS plan?

As each individual is different, there are different levels of support and funding available. Funding can be dedicated to different support areas including:

Assistance with daily personal activities
Transportation and travel
Social support to enable community participation, social interactions and social activities
Workplace assistance to provide adequate environmental supports for the individual to stay employed and fulfilling their job description
Therapeutic supports for individuals who need behavioural assistance or therapy
Household assistance to help maintain the home environment including cleaning, washing, vacuuming, maintenance, and general household tasks
Home modifications including new designs and construction of aids to assist with day-to-day living
Mobility equipment and disability support aids
Vehicle modifications to allow you access to drive your vehicle without limitation

For more information on how your NDIS plan can be utilised, view the government NDIS website online.

What can Shalom Retreat offer NDIS plan holders?

Shalom Retreat is a dedicated Supported Independent Living (SIL) facility, providing ongoing and supported independent care for individuals under their dedicated SIL NDIS plan. Our beautiful Tingira Heights facility has dedicated disability support staff who work alongside you to ensure you get most out of your SIL plan. We can offer spacious grounds, with six fully accessible dwellings with private suites and room for carers and aids. Built to foster independence in our participants, Shalom Retreat has a variety of support furnishings available to suit the needs of the individual participant.

Commonly asked questions about the NDIS and Shalom Retreat’s SIL support services

Is Shalom Retreat a registered NDIS provider?

Yes! Shalom Retreat is a registered NDIS provider for supported independent living support and care.

How does the Shalom Retreat disability support staff work with me to get the most out of my NDIS plan?

We work alongside you and your dedicated support coordinator to match your outlined NDIS support plan with our offered support services. This means that you get all the necessary support and assistance to achieve your goals and aspirations in line with your NDIS funding.

Can I still be a participant at Shalom Retreat if I don’t yet have an eligible NDIS plan?

Currently, we only are taking participants with eligible NDIS supported independent living care plans. If you believe you are eligible for the NDIS but have not yet applied, you can start the process online and get access to the right funding to support you through your SIL journey.

Will I be living with multiple SIL participants at Shalom Retreat?

The residences at Shalom Retreat can cater for up to twenty-nine residents at any one time. This means that multiple residents live in each dwelling. The residences have privately accessible suites and facilities with room for dedicated carers, meaning you are still able to maintain your own privacy within the shared living facilities.

How do I know if supported independent living is right for me?

Supported independent living is specially catered for individuals who require higher support needs. You can research online via the NDIS website whether SIL is the right choice for you. You should also talk to your support coordinator and support network to assist you in making an informed decision.