Is this your first move out of the house for disability support? Is there something that isn’t working for you in your group home?
Before moving out, why not take an understanding of the living option?
You might be eligible for the option if you would like to live in your own choice and control or share a house with every support and service approved by the NDIA.
What are Individualised Living Options support?
NDIS has developed Individualised Living Options (ILO) as a funded support to assist participants in their living options. You can use an ILO to support your living in your preferred home environment.
You will not receive the actual housing options or assistance with the payment of your homes, such as residential cost or mortgage, under an ILO. But you will be able to enjoy the support and companionship of the home service providers.
The developed options let you live in your own home or pick the home you want to live in and arrange the support in a way that suits you. It is paid support that helps you live in your preferred home environment with a person or family or with co-residents.
With a support plan, you can determine how, where, and with whom you wish to live. You can live with a housemate or a friend in your home. In addition to living at a host family’s home, you may be supported by another family.
Who can avail of the Individualised Living Options (ILO)?
Individuals who require low or medium levels of support – usually around seven hours per day of in-home support – but do not wish to live in a group home are best served by ILO.
A supported independent living option may be more suitable for you if you need assistance around the clock.
It allows you to choose to live and set up supports that fit your needs through flexibility in every family home.
In the option, you get the support you need to live in the home that you’ve selected; however, the residential cost is not included.
When determining eligibility, an individual’s preference, strength, asset, support requirements, and community support will all be considered by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
Can any NDIS participant apply for the ILO?
NDIS participants aged 18 or older who are eligible for ILOs are the ones who;
- Depend on someone else to help you at home for six hours a day
- Look for residential options and housing providers.
- Prepare to put effort and time into creating a home in the future
- You might be able to get help from family or friends.
What are the stages of ILO support?
You will receive funding for your ILO in two stages – Exploration and Design (stage 1) and Implementation of your Support (stage 2).
Stage 1: Exploration and design
During stage 1, your needs must be identified, and every necessary step is determined. Furthermore, as a part of the services, the NDIS partner can help you find suitable residents and access other funded community or mainstream services (subject to price limits).
How does NDIS support stage 1?
The stage will be explored, and a suitable option is developed for the participants through a network of support items. Support service delivered includes:
- Examine the possibilities and potential risks in the context of the participant’s preferred lifestyle;
- Explore the insurance scheme alternatives that might be more appropriate;
- Design an individual option around the NDIS goals, emphasizing participants’ strengths with an understanding of community needs.
- Identify ways to support the participant in choosing a contemporary residence, a loving companion, and a living situation;
- Participate in the decision-making process with the participant.
- Assess the participant’s goals for their future home with flexible support options in their community.
Stage 2: ILO Support Package implementation
This stage is about implementing the support allocated to your NDIS plan.
The funding can be used flexibly, including every kind of support (substitute agency, friends, family, and community).
You can entertain it by monitoring and redesigning the individualised option. As stated, funding for this stage must be accompanied by a quotation, which means it can only be used for intended purposes.
How does NDIS support stage 2?
During Stage 2, the ILO service proposals will outline the need for your ILO.
The ILO provides services in the following areas:
1. Primary Support
You can receive immediate support at home in the form of:
- Emotional support
- Personal care (Cooking and cleaning)
- Getting ready for work
- Ensuring you’re safe at home
2. Supplementary Support
You may also need additional support jointly with your primary support with:
- Commute service (pick up and drop service)
- Mentorship support
- A volunteer
- A neighbour
- Provide paid “drop-in” support
- Support from family members or friends
3. Monitoring and Adjustment Support
Your ILO needs to be monitored and adjusted to ensure you receive the support you need. You must agree with your ILO agency on the frequency of every check-in.
What formal or informal support is included?
For the NDIS participants, the following supports are included:
- Personal care with the support of paying bills and home cooking
- Support in making crucial decisions
- Establish and manage your own home
- Assist you in becoming more independent
- Develop and maintain relationships with others
- Everyday decision-making assistance
- Emotional and behavioural support
- A regular helper or an unpaid caretaker
- Calling someone for help when needed (on-call)
- Train the supporters
What is not covered under the ILO options?
Though the NDIS scheme permits greater access to the fund, the following is not covered;
- A support program for independent living
- Accommodation for those with disabilities (SDA)
- Re-modelling your home
- Repayments on your reduced rent or mortgage
- The costs of food, electricity, and the internet you incur regularly
- Round-the-clock support
- Assistance with getting to work, school, or community activities
- Developing a behaviour support plan (if needed).
Explore and design the benefits of ILO for the NDIS
Getting individualised support has many benefits; one of the significant advantages can be attaining a new life goal.
- Understanding basic life skills – The NDIS allows you to develop new skills or enhance your existing ones to increase your independence and participation in the community. A few of the key areas include:
- Budgeting, planning and decision-making.
- Skill development and training.
- Enhancement of life skills such as meal preparation, cleaning and cooking.
- Support community participation – Encourage individuals to participate in community programs. Alongside, one can take support for regular medical appointments, shopping, or participating in events.
- Domestic support – Help people with disabilities living at home by providing them with various personal and domestic services. Here you get help with regular domestic chores with cooking and cleaning.
How do you include the ILO fund in your NDIS plan?
If you are interested in keeping your freedom through individualised living options, then you need to follow the given procedure:
Complete a request form
You must complete a “Request for Home and Living Support” form. By filling out the form, NDIS allows you to decide about your needs and situation in a formal pattern.
Carefully fill in your needs
You need to fill the given form carefully, mentioning your clear requirements, support needs and living situation. By getting through the lengthy procedure, the NDIS will understand the importance of support in strengthening your independence and capacity.
Take immediate support
If you are unable to understand the form or are unable to locate your needs, you can either take help from an experienced NDIS member or the NDIS service agency.
What is the ILO support coordination cost?
The agenda of an individualised option is to allow you to live the way you feel most comfortable.
Depending on the individual’s needs, participants can receive funds up to $3000*, $5000*, or $10,000* for ILO.
Various services are available, such as personal hygiene, skill development, or assistance with household chores such as cooking and shopping.
Your friends and family may also help you. The program provides individual support. The aim is to create apartments that make you feel like you are living in your home and part of the community.
(Note*: Prices are subject to change, please review the ILO pricing plan with the coordinator)
What does your ILO appear like?
The scheme entirely focuses on the individual. They include the following:
- Co-residency: Your primary caretakers and helpers live with you for a fee or discounted charges.
- Host – Usually, you live with a family or friend who isn’t related to you. You are provided with a safe and welcoming environment.
- Living together option: Two or more two NDIS participants live together, sharing the support.
- Support circle – There is a volunteer who supports NDIS participants to live more independently.
What are the ways to ensure safety with the provider?
The living option is delivered in compliance with the NDIS Act, NDIS Code of Conduct and NDIS quality and safeguard.
Nevertheless, there are some strategies that you should follow for your safety and independence.
- Agreement – A vital document that clearly outlines the role and responsibilities of every NDIS individual living under certain situations. The document prepared must be easily understood by the participants. You can easily assign responsibility to your agency to frame an agreement between the host or housemate.
- Premises – One must ascertain the safety of your living.
- Health and well-being – One must ensure the living and community are safe and well-off.
- Training & development – Before assigning any caretakers, they must ensure sufficient training and information about their role.
- Complain process – A simplified complaint process should be developed.
- Emergency context– Clear guidance must be provided about the possible emergency to the caretakers or family members.
Contact us
For further inquiry and support for ILO, you can easily connect with Advance Care Agency. Our experts are available to guide you to make the most of the support. You can also discuss and brief your needed support that best suits your current needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between ILO & SIL?
Your choice depends on several factors, such as:
- Availability of funding options
- Involvement of informal support such as family, friends, and the community
- Supports that are needed physically, socially, and emotionally.
Although ILOs and SILs both aim at increasing independence, they cannot get both funded through NDIS.
For participants requiring higher levels of care, SIL is typically recommended for those living in shared accommodation.
ILO participants usually need maintenance on an occasional basis.
What are the benefits of ILO?
Many Australians live in these well-developed options.
Rather than having to ‘fit in’ to an existing model, they allow you to design your system of support.
Positive relationships are central to ILO. People can connect, participate, and share their lives through these living arrangements.
Is ILO responsible for paying my rent?
The option doesn’t pay the housing cost of the participants who live with others. But for the support, the funds are available.
A participant’s home cost or mortgage cannot be covered by ILO funding. The purpose of ILO is to provide support for home living.
For whom is ILO not suitable?
Several NDIS Participants may not be suitable for ILO, including:
- Under 18 years of age
- Do not qualify for Supported Independent Living or may not qualify in the future.
- Do not need help solving problems other than 6 hours per day at home.
- A 24-hour roster of support workers is required.
- Your daily support needs to include registered nursing care.
- In need of frequent overnight help.
How can Advance Care help with the ILO?
We are committed to providing a holistic level of care; Advance Care incorporates a participant’s family into support decision-making and application process.
In consultation with you and your family, our highly experienced team can discuss the various supports that are available. If ILO is a good fit for you, we will help you in evaluating your options with the requirements.
