March 21, 2024
by Courtney Dunn
Blog
Celebrating World Down Syndrome Day 2024
March 21st marks a significant day on the global calendar – World Down Syndrome Day. It’s a d...
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a form of funding for eligible people who have a disability. The goal of the NDIS is to promote independence and a better quality of life through support and access to services such as job finding, participation in programs and community groups, encouraging the acquisition of new skills, and spending time with friends and family.
The NDIS enables people with a disability to connect to social, sporting, and community groups and clubs, schools, education programs, libraries, doctors, and other support services. As of January 2024, more than 630,000 Australians currently benefit from what the NDIS offers.
An important part of having an NDIS plan is the management of it. There are three options that you can select, or you may decide to utilise a combination.
One method of NDIS plan management is self-management, which gives you control over how you make the most of the offered services in keeping with your budget. Find out if self-management is an advantageous route for you to take when it comes to your NDIS plan.
The NDIS enables people with a disability to connect to social, sporting, and community groups and clubs, schools, education programs, libraries, doctors, and other support services. As of January 2024, more than 630,000 Australians currently benefit from what the NDIS offers.
An important part of having an NDIS plan is the management of it. There are three options that you can select, or you may decide to utilise a combination.
One method of NDIS plan management is self-management, which gives you control over how you make the most of the offered services in keeping with your budget. Find out if self-management is an advantageous route for you to take when it comes to your NDIS plan.
Ways Your NDIS Plan Can Be Managed
Alongside self-management, there are two other options in which you can retain different levels of control over your funding. These options may be more appropriate in certain situations. You may choose some of these options, or select aspects of each to best suit you. Regardless of which level of control you opt for, you are still encouraged to monitor your NDIS plan so you are aware of what is happening.
Plan-managed Funding
The National Disability Insurance Agency, also known as the NDIA, can provide funding within your plan so that a plan manager can assist with the management of your NDIS plan.
Your plan manager will look after fund tracking, provider payments, and financial reporting. This may involve aspects such as gaining NDIS plan budget reports and increasing your financial and management knowledge.
You are able to choose your plan manager and can change managers if required.
Your plan manager will look after fund tracking, provider payments, and financial reporting. This may involve aspects such as gaining NDIS plan budget reports and increasing your financial and management knowledge.
You are able to choose your plan manager and can change managers if required.
NDIA-managed Funding
Another option is for the NDIA itself to manage your plan. NDIA-managed funding, also known as Agency-managed, means that the NDIA will take care of your book-keeping and budget records. Generally this is only done in exceptional circumstances, or when a participant has particularly high needs.
If your plan is agency managed, you can still use the MyPlace portal to identify claims that providers have made in accordance with your NDIS funding.
If your plan is agency managed, you can still use the MyPlace portal to identify claims that providers have made in accordance with your NDIS funding.
Self-Management
The third option is self-management. This is a great choice if you prefer to have more control and flexibility regarding decisions made in your NDIS plan.
This method of plan management can help you to allocate your funds in a way that best helps you to reach your goals and utilise your budget to meet your needs.
This method of plan management can help you to allocate your funds in a way that best helps you to reach your goals and utilise your budget to meet your needs.
Advantages Of NDIS Plan Self-Management
There are several reasons why you may benefit from self-managing your NDIS funding. These may include the following:
- Ability to manage your own funding budget.
- Choice regarding which providers you select.
- Control over what you use your funding for depending on eligibility and how you receive or access the purchased supports.
Alongside the benefits of self-management comes the trade-off of increased responsibilities. These might include tasks such as organising your funds, assessing agreements, and keeping relevant records.
What Is Involved In NDIS Plan Self-Management
Deciding to self-manage your NDIS plan requires an understanding of what is involved as there are a number of added responsibilities. These can include the following:
- Making claims and allocating your funding to chosen supports or services and gaining the best value within your budget.
- Confirming specific agreements with your chosen providers regarding your received support, which includes how each will be paid for and provided.
- Maintaining up to date bookkeeping, including a record of receipts and invoices.
- Demonstrate the way in which you have used your funding during your plan reassessment or payment auditing.
- Abiding by deadlines and timeframes according to NDIA reporting policies.
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Reporting any significant changes that may affect your ability to self-manage your NDIS plan to the NDIA.
Is NDIS Plan Self-management For You?
The NDIS is in place to enable people with disability to access supports and services to improve their way of life. Managing your NDIS plan is a significant undertaking and one that must be done comprehensively and correctly.
The NDIA understands the importance of having the option to self-manage your funding, so it is committed to making the experience as productive and simple as possible. You can contact your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or NDIA planner to discuss your move to a self-managed fund.
There is also a detailed guide and self-management policy to support you in the process of looking after your own NDIS funding to ensure you understand the responsibilities and requirements involved.
If you have any questions regarding NDIS plan management, and how Breakthru may be able to assist with this, please contact us online today.
The NDIA understands the importance of having the option to self-manage your funding, so it is committed to making the experience as productive and simple as possible. You can contact your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or NDIA planner to discuss your move to a self-managed fund.
There is also a detailed guide and self-management policy to support you in the process of looking after your own NDIS funding to ensure you understand the responsibilities and requirements involved.
If you have any questions regarding NDIS plan management, and how Breakthru may be able to assist with this, please contact us online today.
