The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a great program. It has provided financial and social support to over 1 million people with disabilities, allowing them to live more independently than ever before.
However, the NDIS meals program is a totally different program and is still being refined and improved by the government and other stakeholders. In this article, let’s discuss five common errors you should avoid if you want your NDIS experience to be as smooth as possible:
Choosing the wrong plan
When you go to select your NDIS plan, there will be a lot of options available. But it’s good to remember that the plan you choose should be right for you and your family. If it costs too much money, it could mean that other things won’t get covered or done in other areas of life. Think carefully about this before making any decisions!
Applying too early
It’s better that you don’t apply too early. The NDIS is a highly complex and personal process, so it may take some time for your application to be processed. Don’t get discouraged if you’ve gone through all the steps and you still haven’t heard anything about your eligibility for funding.
The NDIS will continue to assess their eligibility as they receive more information from you and others involved with their care, so there’s no need to panic if this happens.
Making assumptions about coverage
It is important to note that the NDIS is not a social security scheme. It is also not a disability pension, welfare scheme or medical scheme. This means that you won’t receive an income from the NDIS but instead support it with some of your day-to-day activities, such as personal care, communication and leisure activities.
The NDIS does provide insurance cover for people who require support in the event of an injury or illness related to their disability.
Not insisting on quality
Once you’ve chosen a provider, it’s time to make sure they have a good reputation. Ask for references and check them out. When choosing a provider, it helps to be able to ask questions like:
- What is the provider’s policy regarding complaint handling?
- Can you see the contract they will sign with you? How does it work if something goes wrong?
- How do they keep up-to-date with best practices in their field?
Improper record-keeping
Keeping good records and keeping them in a safe place is a great way to avoid making mistakes down the track.
Keep copies of all emails and letters related to your NDIS plan. This includes emails from the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), any correspondence from your planning team, medical reports, information about how much money is being spent on particular services and so on. If something happens later that needs explaining or an appeal made, these documents will be vital evidence.
The best way to avoid these mistakes is to do your research and be prepared. If you don’t know what questions are being asked, then you’re more likely to make a mistake or get confused about the answers. You can also talk with someone who has been through the process before or even ask for help from an organisation like The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
Recent Comments