• Your everyday living activities.

1.Assistance with Daily Life/ Assistance with Daily Living/ Assistance with Daily Personal Activities

2.Assistance with Social and Community Participation/ Social, Community and Civic Participation

3.Consumables

• Costs less than $1500.
• Safe to use and you don’t need help setting it up.
• Don’t need an assessment or any quotes once approved as ‘reasonable and necessary’.
• Funding for Low Cost AT in your NDIS Plan is included under your Core Budget and in myPortal under ‘Low Cost AT’.
• Buy this AT from your local store or the internet.

• specialised mattresses and pillows
• catheters
• absorbent products and pads like nappies
• disability-related wound and skincare
• continence products (subject to meeting the age requirements)
• pumps and syringes for home enteral nutrition purposes
• personal care and safety products
• telephone or video interpreting
• vision or hearing-related low-cost assistive technology
• medication management devices (except for vision impairment)
• nonslip bathmat; non-electronic magnifiers; signature guide
• talking watch
• food preparation products
• modified eating aids
• long-handled or adapted grip equipment, cutlery (& similar items for daily living)
• tactile dots, large print calendar, large print labels; alert systems with flashing light e.g. baby cry, smoke alarm, doorbell
• auslan or signed English training

• replacement mobility cane
• replacement covers (like for like)
• walking stick

• one off/short term supply of washable briefs
• pads
• bedding protectors

• here are some great every day examples of AT Level 1 items you could buy (collected by The Growing Space and its community members)
• another website that has more examples is: Independent Living Centre’s Australia
• PB Basic and Standard AT 28062019.pdf

• It’s for items that don’t cost much. You NDIS Consumables budget can be used to purchase reasonable and necessary everyday items valued at up to $1500.

• It’s flexible. The best part about the Consumables budget is that it’s flexible. Once an amount is allocated in you plan, you can choose how you spend it,                    providing it relates to your disability support needs and meets the reasonable and necessary test.
• It’s important to track your expenses. You Consumables budget can go a long way if you manage it carefully. It’s good to have an idea of how you’d like to spread you Consumables funding over the life of you plan.
• You cannot buy general food and grocery items unrelated to your disability needs, prescription medications, toiletries or cosmetics with you Consumables budget.

4.Transport:

• Transport related aids and equipment.
• Travel to and from work or study.
• Vehicle modifications like special seating.
• Cost of taxis for those who cannot travel independently.

• When your total transport funding is set up as periodic payments.
• If a you have not been funded for transport supports at all.

Capital supports fund more expensive assistive technology, equipment, home modifications or vehicle modifications. This budget can also include financing one-off purchases such as specialist disability accommodation (SDA). Capital supports are the least flexible NDIS budget category. You budget for this support is restricted to specific items identified in you NDIS Plan.

The NDIS Assistive technology, home modifications and consumables code guide contain information about how you can use Capital supports funding and the types of supports that may be considered reasonable and necessary.

What does the Capital supports budget cover?

The Capital supports budget covers higher-cost pieces of technology, modifications or one-off purchases that are determined by the NDIS as “reasonable and necessary” for your individual situation.

If you have funding for Capital supports in your budget, it is important to remember that you will need to use the funding for the specified purpose. Make sure you have quotes for each item or modification before you NDIS Plan meeting, as you won’t be able to use this funding for other items.

The Capital supports budget is split into two categories; assistive technology and home/vehicle modifications.

Assistive technology

Assistive technology is related to the use of any device that allows you to do something that you wouldn’t be able to do without it or it increases the ease or safety of things you do.

Your Capital supports budget can help to cover the cost of your assistive technology, including higher-cost complex items. These can include specialised or custom-made pieces of technology or equipment that will help make you day-do-day life much easier.

This category covers specialised technology or equipment to assist to live more independently, like:

• smart devices
• wheelchairs and other mobility equipment
• apps
• vehicle modifications
• electric beds
• bathing and toileting equipment
• vision assistive technology
• repairs and maintenance for equipment
• assistive technology rental costs
• assistive products for personal care and safety (bed/mattress, personal alarms, and so on)
• communication devices
• hearing assistive technology
• assistance dog (including guide dog)
• prosthetics and orthotics
• custom shoes
• transfer equipment

You can find out more by reading;

https://www.ndis.gov.au/you/assistive-technology-explained

Can I lodge an appeal if I don’t receive all the funding required for my assistive technology needs?

If you are not happy with a decision about what will be funded in you NDIS plan, you can request a review. Reviews generally take place within 14 days if the correct information is provided (although the NDIA admits there are currently delays in assessing reviews).

Be aware that there are different types of reviews so be sure to submit the correct type for your case. In this case, you would submit an internal review request (also known as a ‘section 100’).

What do I do if assistive technology breaks or needs maintenance?

If you own the equipment and it has recently been purchased, contact you supplier for a warranty repair.

For older equipment, you NDIS plan may include funding for repair and maintenance.

If you have assistive technology in you plan, be sure to check that money is allocated for repair and maintenance at each plan review meeting.

Home modifications

Changes made to the structure, you or fittings of you home to ensure you can move around safely are called home modifications.

This category covers funding for structural modifications to be made to your home to make it easier for to you live your everyday life more independently, where your disability creates barriers. This may include modifications to your kitchen, entrance or bathroom equipment.

This budget will include funding to pay for the assessment, delivery and set up, adjustment and maintenance costs associated with your home modification project.

This budget will also cover specialist accommodation for you with very high needs who need specialist housing for your delivery of services.

You Capital supports budget can cover modifications in your home, from simple handrails or ramps to complex structural changes, that help.

You can find out more by reading;

https://www.ndis.gov.au/you/home-and-living/home-modifications-explained

How can I make the most of this funding?

The NDIS will decide if these Capital supports are “reasonable and necessary” at you Plan meeting, which makes it very important to have all you supporting information ready beforehand. For example, if ramp access at home or a specialised wheelchair will help you to achieve you goal of gaining more independence, confidence and become more involved with you community, then you have a good chance of receiving funding to support you.

What home modifications will the NDIS consider?

When it comes to home modifications, the very first thing the NDIS will consider is whether a home modification is for the your primary residence and if you intend to remain living there.

When are home modifications usually found to be reasonable and necessary?

• when at your primary residence, due to the impact of your disability, cannot be reasonably accessed
• when at your primary residence, in its current condition, has significant and adverse impacts on the sustainability of current living and care arrangements
• when a suitably qualified occupational therapist has performed an assessment and recommended home modifications, considering all possible alternatives,           including the use of equipment
• when modifications using standard fixtures and fittings can improve the accessibility of the home
  Additionally, the NDIS will also need to be satisfied that:

• the proposed modification represents value for money compared to the cost of other alternatives that could be provided through assistive technology or by             assisting with a move to another, more accessible premise
• there won’t be any construction issues such as structural size constraints, difficult terrain, or issues with the condition of the building

What won’t the NDIS fund?

• fixtures, fittings or materials above standard grade
• modifications to a property bought after a you were granted NDIS access, unless the NDIS was involved in the decision to purchase the property,
        or the purchase of a more accessible property was not possible
• installation of swimming pools including hydrotherapy and spas
• repairs or remediation of pre-existing home damage, discovered during the modification process
• ongoing repairs and maintenance to non-specialised structures

What if I rent?

If you live in a rental property, a written agreement from the property owner (and where applicable the body corporate) must be provided before the NDIS will consider the home modifications.

Vehicle modifications

With vehicle modification support, the first thing the NDIA will consider is whether or not you have an endorsed license for the vehicle you want modified or if you have been assessed as having the capacity to obtain an endorsed license.

The NDIA will also consider whether the vehicle modifications are reasonable, relative to the benefits. When determining whether vehicle modifications represent value for money, the NDIA will consider:

• whether the proposed vehicle modifications are the best alternative for achieving you transport needs
• whether your specific needs can be met using a cheaper alternative
• the suitability of the type of vehicle proposed to be modified

What does vehicle modification actually include?

Under the NDIS, vehicle modifications are the changes to a vehicle, or the installation of equipment in a vehicle that enable a you to access, use and operate the vehicle. This might include modifications that:

• help you get in and out of the vehicle with or without a wheelchair
• carry your wheelchair in or on the vehicle without lifting
• be transported safely whilst seated in your wheelchair
• help you to drive the vehicle without specialised controls or adaptations

The NDIS may also fund supports that are related to operating the vehicle. These include:

• your driver assessments for the purpose of obtaining an endorsed license
• driving lessons that establish the skills you need to use the modified vehicle
• additional insurance costs, if an additional insurance premium is payable as a result of the modifications. Note, the NDIS will only fund the increased amount
        of the premium, not the total cost of the policy
• the cost of engineering certification and other checks required for initial registration

What is not covered:

• the purchase of a new vehicle
• insurance, registration and running costs
• non-standard vehicle items
• driving supervision in order for a you to accrue hours to pass a driving test
• major modifications (over $10,000) to a vehicle where less than 8 years has lapsed since the most recent funding of vehicle modifications unless your           
         circumstances and needs have significantly changed

NDIS Capacity Building funding is for activities that will support you to become more independent and learn new skills. The activities should be connected with your goals. The capacity building budget contains nine support categories. Examples may include living more independently, finding a job, or getting help to manage you NDIS Plan.

Your goals are very important in determining what you can purchase out of your capacity building support budget as it’s not flexible like the core support budget. The NDIA will assess your needs during your planning meeting or plan review meeting to determine what capacity building supports might be considered reasonable and necessary. Your planner or LAC will use your short- and long-term goals listed in your NDIS plan to fund supports to achieve those goals and live a more independent life. For example, if one of your goals is to develop your skills in cooking and healthy diets, your plan might include the ‘increased social and community support’ budget to fund cooking classes. 

The amount of funding in each support category is flexible ONLY WITHIN that category.

This means that for each support category funding, you can decide which services or products you wish to spend your funds on.

For example, if you have $14,000 in CB Daily Activities, you can choose how much you might spend on OT, Speech Therapy and Music Therapy etc.  You can choose how you spend the dollar amount in each support category by checking the NDIS price list and matching supports on the NDIS website. 

Another example would be the support category: CB Social Community and Civic Participation: assuming you are allocated a budget of $5,000 to this category you could choose to spend $3,000 on peer support and $2,000 (or 36 hours at the price guide) on individual skills development.

You cannot combine funding across support categories as each support category is working towards achieving a particular goal. There are Nine types of support included in this categeory.

1: Support Coordination 

This budget is for supporting you and your family to navigate the NDIS and better understand the possible options for your plans. For example, this support may provide insight into how your budget works.

You can claim support coordination services from this budget. Support coordinators help you put your plan in action and organise your supports by choosing suitable providers. You can help you to build connections with the community and broader systems of support; develop and design support options to help you work towards your goals; and work with you to prepare for review and report on what you’ve achieved.

2: Improved Living Arrangements 

This funding is for help for you to find suitable accommodation to live more independently, and could cover someone to assist you with inspecting properties or negotiating your contract, by strengthening your ability to complete paper work for accommodation services and understand your obligations with rent and payments, as well as daily decision-making around planning and budgeting.

Supports may including assistance with applying for a rental property, meeting tenancy obligations and ensuring the home is appropriate for your needs. 

3: Increased Social and Community Participation 

This is to pay for support to help you build your skills in accessing the community. This may include funding a mentor or therapist to assist with learning skills for independence in the community. 

This category of funding can be used to pay for tuition fees, art classes, sports coaching and similar activities that build skills and independence. You can use this category to pay for camps, classes and vacation activities that have capacity-building components. Activity-based transport is also included. 

4: Finding and Keeping a Job (Assistance to Access and Maintain Employment or Higher Education) 

Funding to support you to find a job and have assistance in your work. This budget can pay for a support worker to assist you at your job or helping you to find a job that’s right for you, including on-the-job training to assist you manage the demands of the job. 

Other options may include life and work coaches, private recruitment specialists, career counsellors and employment mentors. 

5: Improved Relationships 

Supports to help build your skills to connect and build relationships in your community. This could include funding to pay for someone to help you build your social skills or behavioural therapy services. 

6: Improved Health and Wellbeing 

Services that improve your health and wellbeing, like a personal trainer, exercise physiologist or dietitian to improve your skills in maintain your own health and wellbeing. 

7: Improved Learning 

Access to services that will help you to transition from school to further education. This budget could fund a support worker to help you to go to university or TAFE. 

8: Plan Management (Improved Life Choices)  

This budget pays for your plan manager. All you need to do have funding for a plan manager is request it in your planning or review meeting. Your plan manager will take care of all the financial administrative work from your NDIS plan and if you are a good plan manager, you will have handy technology and a team of NDIS experts to help you get the most out of your NDIS plan

9: Improved Daily Living 

Funding to cover your therapies and other programs to build your capacity to reduce the impact of your disability. This could be a physiotherapist, speech pathology, occupational therapy or any other therapy that assists you to become more independent with your daily living tasks. 

Making the most of your Capacity Building budgets.

The Capacity Building budgets support you to learn new skills that will help you to become more independent. You may not receive funding for every one of the 9 budget categories, so it’s important to think about the areas in your life that you want to improve the most and that each of the supports you choose are ‘reasonable and necessary’.

By setting clear goals in your NDIS Plan it becomes easier to allocate your Capacity Building funding to the areas that will best support you.

For example, if your goal is to live independently then you could use Improved Living     Arrangements funding to help secure a home that’s perfect for your needs. You could also utilise your Improved Health and Wellbeing funding to find a service provider that teaches you to cook healthy meals.

Update: capacity building supports in the future

The NDIA has recently announced that the three support budgets (core, capital and capacity building) will eventually be replaced with only two types: fixed and flexible. These changes will be appearing soon. So, if you are due for a new plan, expect it to be in the new format of fixed and flexible.

NDIS plans will soon have more flexibility, giving you better choice and control in how you use your funding, to help you live life the way you want.

During COVID-19, the NDIS made Core funding more flexible, allowing people to access supports across all core categories regardless of where funding was allocated. In changes to come, the NDIS is doing away with Core altogether… as well as Capital and Capacity Building.

Instead of a possible 15 different categories of funding, dictating what you can and can’t use the funds for, you will soon only have two categories, Fixed and Flexible.

What is a fixed support?

You can think of your Fixed funds as what would currently be “Stated Supports” in your plan. This funding will be designated for certain items or supports and will generally be for things like complex assistive technology, home modifications, or Specialist Disability Accommodation.

What is a flexible support?

Flexible supports are everything else!

This funding can be used on whatever your disability needs are. This may mean a mix of therapy, support work, cleaning, or help finding employment. It all comes out of the same plan funding ‘bucket.’

You may need to keep a closer eye on your budget spend, but it also means that none of your funding needs to go to waste while your needs are still unmet.

How will I know what I can purchase with my flexible funds?

The switch to fixed and flexible budgets will make your plan so much simpler to use and understand. Having greater control of your funds takes you closer to your goals since you can choose supports based on what you think provides the best outcomes for you.

With less guidance in how to use your funding, some people might understandably worry whether you are using it correctly, or whether you’re getting the most out of it. If you’re not sure how to implement flexible supports, speak with your plan manager or LAC.

Although the new funding model opens up greater choice and control, it is still important to refer to the reasonable and necessary criteria when considering supports. Your chosen supports must:

• Be related to your disability.
• Assist the pursuit of the goals in your plan.
• Assist you to undertake activities that can benefit your social or economic participation.
• Represents value for money.
• Be effective and beneficial to you.
• Take into account what could be reasonably provided by your family or informal support networks.
• Not be more appropriately funded by another source.

The NDIS will schedule regular check-ins with you to see how you are going, but you will no longer be as intense as the review meetings you may have experienced or are currently going through.

For you whose needs are unlikely to change, your plans will become a lot longer as well, up to five years in length. This could mean less stress, less reports, less having to talk to yet another different person about your needs and goals every year or more.

You will still be able to use a plan manager if this is how you prefer your plan to be managed. Your fees will likely continue to be included in your fixed funding.

When will these changes occur?

It is anticipated that these changes will commence over the coming months.

The changes will not affect everyone all at once. It will be introduced person by person as your current plan rolls to a close.

Stated Supports and In-Kind Supports

As above, ‘Stated Supports’ must be purchased as you are described in the plan. You cannot spend money allocated to a particular Stated Support on anything else. The most common state supports include those under Improved Relationships (CB relationships) support category where a specific combination of support items may be allocated for the formulation and implementation of a behaviour support plan.

If there are supports in your plan that are listed as ‘in-kind’, it means the service has already been paid for by your state, territory or the Australian government to a particular provider. You must use this provider as you have already received payment and will provide all services that are booked.

Summary of Important Points:

• Your plan has a dollar amount that you can spend on each of the 3 support budgets (Core, Capital & Capacity Building) and it will be allocated to individual
         support categories, with a total plan budget being a sum of all support categories funded. 
• Your plan should indicate how the supports will be paid and this should be based on the funding option you selected (agency managed/plan managed/self-
         managed) e.g if you are plan managed it should say ” The supports will be paid directly to your plan manager.” For other supports it could say ” NDIS will pay
         my support provider for these supports”. For Transport its likely to say:” NDIS will pay you directly for these supports”.
• The funds allocated to each budget (CORE/CAPITAL/CAPACITY) can only be spent on that budget. 

You can’t spend more than the total amount allocated to each budget. 

The amount allocated will not change during your current plan unless you have a plan review.

Spending Money

You can now choose how to spend the funds in each of the Support Budgets. You can choose the activities and services on your own or with the help of a Support Coordinator, LAC or by searching for providers like us affectiondisabilitycare.com.au or speaking with friends and family for referrals.

The NDIS price guide (https://www.ndis.gov.au/media/4495/download) attachment is included in your Plan handover pack, but can also be found online. It shows how much you can spend on each type of service. 

If you are Self Managing you are not restricted to pay the prices set out in the NDIS price guide.

Plan Reviews

NDIS plans may last for anywhere from 6 months to 2 years depending on your circumstances. However, if your new plan is not right for you, you can request a ‘Review of a Reviewable Decision’ regarding the funded supports in your plan within 90 days of receiving your new plan.  Check out the following resource on Understanding Plan Reviews.

https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/your-plan-reassessment-meeting

If you still have questions, direct them to your LAC or Support Coordinator in the first instance or call us on 0448971081 or email your questions to info@affectioncare.com.au.