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National Disability Insurance Scheme

The implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has changed the way in which people under 65 will receive support for amputation, limb loss or limb difference.

The NDIS will provide funding for people with a disability, including amputees to enable them to be independent and participate in home, work and recreation, this includes funding for prosthetic limbs.

There a several things that you will need to consider when transitioning or applying for the NDIS, this can be difficult if you are unsure.

The physiotherapist and social worker will assist you with registering for the NDIS whilst you are in hospital.

If you are eligible for the NDIS and have received an ‘access decision’ letter, the next step is creating your NDIS plan.

Meeting with an ‘NDIS Planner’

You will need to prepare prior to the meeting with your NDIS Planner. Your NDIS Planner or Local Area Coordinator (LAC) will help you to develop your Plan. Your Plan should take into account all of the things that you need to achieve your goals, live your life and plan for your future.

Think about and take into consideration what you will need to regain your mobility, live independently, achieve your goals and make informed decisions based on choice and control.

We advise people to take note of things over several weeks, write it down and take it with you when you see the Planner or LAC. It is important to flag the days when you need more support or assistance than usual, this is the times when you need the help.

Depending on your level/s of amputation you may need to consider including emergency assistance funding.

Core Supports

Core Supports help you with everyday activities, your current disability-related needs and to work towards your goals. Your Core Supports budget is the most flexible, and in most cases, you can use your funding across any of the four support categories. However, there are instances where you do not have flexibility in your funding, particularly for transport funding.

CategoriesDescription
Daily ActivitiesFor example, assistance with everyday needs, household cleaning and/or yard maintenance.
ConsumablesEveryday items you may need. For example, continence products or low-cost assistive technology and equipment to improve your independence and/or mobility.
Social, community and civic participationFor example, a support worker to assist you to participate in social and community activities.
TransportThis is support that helps you travel to work or other places that will help you achieve the goals in your plan.

How you can spend your transport funding and how it is paid to you (whether upfront or in regular payments) will be different for each person. Your LAC will explain how you can use this budget.

Capacity Building Supports budget

Capacity Building Supports help build your independence and skills to help you reach your long-term goals. Unlike your Core Supports budget, your Capacity Building Supports budget cannot be moved from one support category to another. Funding can only be used to purchase approved individual supports that fall within that Capacity Building category. The Capacity Building categories are:

CategoriesDescription
Support CoordinationThis is a fixed amount for a Support Coordinator to help you use your plan.
Improved Living ArrangementsSupport to help you find and maintain an appropriate place to live.
Increased Social & Community ParticipationDevelopment and training to increase your skills so you can participate in community, social and recreational activities.
Finding & Keeping a JobThis may include employment-related support, training and assessments that help you find and keep a job, such as the school leaver employment supports.
Improved RelationshipsThis support will help you develop positive behaviours and interact with others.
Improved Health & WellbeingIncluding exercise or diet advice to manage the impact of your disability. The NDIS does not fund gym memberships but they do fund exercise physiologists.
Improved LearningExamples include training, advice and help for you to move from school to further education, such as university or TAFE.
Improved Life ChoicesPlan management to help you manage your plan, funding and paying for services.
Improved Daily LivingAssessment, training or therapy to help increase your skills, independence and community participation. These services can be delivered in groups or individually.

Capital Supports budget

Capital Supports include higher-cost pieces of assistive technology, equipment and home or vehicle modifications, and funding for one-off purchases you may need (including Specialist Disability Accommodation). It is important to remember that funds within the Capital Supports budget can only be used for their specific purpose and cannot be used to pay for anything else. The Capital Supports budget has two support categories: Assistive Technology and Home Modifications.

Prosthetic devices and equipment fall under ‘Assistive Technology’.

CategoriesDescription
Assistive TechnologyThis includes equipment items for mobility, prosthetic limbs, personal care, communication and recreational inclusion such as wheelchairs or vehicle modifications.
Home ModificationsHome modifications such as installation of a handrail in a bathroom, or Specialist Disability Accommodation for participants who require special housing because of their disability.

When completing your plan ensure that you are as thorough as possible. If you forget something you will have to put in for a review which takes a lot longer.

If you have not applied to the NDIS, please contact them as soon as possible.

For more information please visit: https://www.ndis.gov.au/understanding/ndis-each-state/queensland