Your NDIS budget must be managed while enrolled in the NDIS. Even though the plan specifies areas for funds distribution, you choose how, when, and where funds are spent. The choices you make should align with your needs to optimise your budget.
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides you with a wide variety of choices if you are a NDIS participant.
There are several valuable strategies that you can apply to ensure that you achieve your lifestyle goals, regardless of whether you are just getting started in the NDIS or have been a participant for some time.
The budget allocation is based on disability type and severity after the completion and approval of the assessment.
It makes an enormous difference whether you receive the care and support you need or miss them by making the wrong choices.
A crucial part of ensuring your NDIS goals is met by managing your funding efficiently. If you want to maximise the benefits of the NDIS, then this article is for you.
We hear people talk about NDIS every day here at Advance Care, and we know things can be done better no matter where they are in the process.
These are our top 10 tips for maximising NDIS funding for personal care for the NDIS participants.
What is ‘personal care’ for the NDIS support?
The term “personal care” refers to tasks related to personal hygiene (e.g., showering, toileting, keeping yourself clean, including continence management) or managing your appearance (e.g., dressing, shaving or other grooming).
Routines and needs vary from person to person. The type of care you need depends on your health condition. Some people may need assistance with bathing, getting dressed, or eating.
Many others will need more long-term help, while others will need short-term help.
Furthermore, personal care services can allow you to remain independent by continuing with your daily routine.
What services are available for the NDIS personal care?
The service you receive depends on the type of care you need. You should contact the organisation supplying the personal care support as you require to discuss the best options that will work for you.
The personal care agency may provide services for problems such as:
- A personal assistant can help with your hygiene needs, such as getting into the shower and ensuring that you do not fall while washing or bathing.
- Food preparation – assistance with cutting up food, feeding yourself or making food for you.
- Clothes dressing or fixing your buttons or belt yourself or with assistance.
- Providing grooming services, including hair, shaving, or applying make-up.
- You can get help with getting to the toilet or managing your continence problems with the toileting assistance.
- Take your medications with the assistance of a caregiver if you have a mental illness or a physical disability.
- Accessing to social and community activities – someone who can assist you by accompanying you on a walk or by organising social activities.
Top 10 effective ways you can use the NDIS to relieve support
Some individuals may opt to receive personal care services at home rather than moving to a NDIS care facility. Personal care services vary in cost according to the provider, the level of care requested, and the amount of time it takes to take care of the client.
Therefore, we have produced ten tips on how to maximise your care NDIS funding.
#1. Focus on what you need and what you want
Make a list of all the things you need in your life. You can break this down if that seems overwhelming. To aid in staying focused on your goals, the NDIS offers Outcome Domains.
List out the requirements for the personal care that will be seeking attention on a monthly, weekly, and daily basis, such as community participation, social needs, daily living, health & well-being, and the learning process (your ongoing employment).
#2. Setting up goals for the plan
It does not matter how big or small your goal is. However, the steps should be broken down into smaller steps rather than being narrow.
You can also receive informal support (your friends or family members) and mainstream support (through a local club or school).
You will receive a NDIS budget to cover consumables, aids, and equipment besides your needs and goals. Aids, equipment, and consumables can help you achieve your goals.
#3. Getting hold of a proper plan for personal care
Primarily get all your plans ready. Being ready means having all your documents and reports in place, with all the work papers. Also, align the goals and investigate the pre-plans and advice from the NDIS coordinator.
#4. Include social inclusion in the plan
NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency) places an exceedingly high priority on your safety, independence, and opportunities to participate in social and community activities.
You are supposed to get out with the NDIS and do things that anyone would expect you to be able to do. If your plan includes some support measures, you may find it easier to accomplish these goals.
You might have also considered certain social and community activities a pipe dream in the past.
Consequently, if you cannot do something safely or independently because of your disability, you must consider what support might allow you to accomplish these tasks.
#5. Taking care of informal support
Can you still go around even if your friend or family member cannot take you? Getting extra support through your health plan does not mean you must hate your friends and family. You might even be able to improve your relationships with them.
They will ask you about your support network. Formal and informal support are distinct kinds of support.
The NDIA does not fund informal support, so no one wants to push it away. When you are doing something, you love, you may get a lift in the car from people who often give it.
#6. Mobility/ transportation support
Participants who cannot travel independently may be supported by providing personal transport aids and equipment, training to use public transportation or the reasonable and necessary costs of private transportation options.
Participants may be eligible for higher funding in some cases if the plan contains general or funded support aimed at aiding employment.
Funding support is broken down into three types of items in NDIS transport budgets.
#7. Taking Local Coordinator support for transportation
It is important to remember that transport supports apply only to you and not to your family members, caregivers, or service providers who travel with you.
Taxi subsidy schemes will be considered when funding comes from the NDIS. Your NDIS plan should include the following levels of funding:
Level 1 transportation support includes a $1606 fund per year* for participants studying and seeking assistance for community access.
Level 2 allows $2472 per year* to the NDIS participants studying and working and participating in leisure activities.
Level 3 allows participants to fund up to $3456* who are currently studying and looking for work.
Note*: Prices are subject to change according to the NDIS guidelines.
#8. Make sure the NDIS personal care meets your needs
If the personal care is not up to the mark, you can ask the local coordinator to get it reviewed. You can get assistance from the NDIS agency and seek their advice in making changes to the personal care plan.
If you adjust with the personal care plan today, you will have to adjust throughout your living. So please review it carefully and through expert assistance.
#9. Spending and planning the budget
Monitor your daily expenses before. Your schedule must include monthly activities. Planning is essential if you do not intend to carry out some activities. At times, additional assistance may be necessary.
Provide a proper explanation for the daily and mandated expenses you will need throughout the year.
#10. Making best use of the given care fund
During your review meeting, you may be asked why you did not fully utilise the possible support budget.
You surrender any unused funds to the National Disability at the end of your plan.
Several factors can contribute to this, such as lack of relevant support for some time, starting your plan too late or experiencing other changes in your life.
Conclusion
As a part of personal care, assistance is provided with daily living activities such as helping with, or supervising, everyday tasks. Advance Care offers an array of NDIS personal care support services that are highly customised and flexible.
Through these services, people with disabilities are assisted with day-to-day activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. You can count on us to ensure that your loved ones receive the care and assistance needed to live comfortably and independently.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment and see how we can support you in as a registered NDIS daily personal care provider. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those in need.
