It is important for families and participants to continue to feel connected and be able to access early childhood intervention supports during this time.
To help you to continue to receive NDIS funded supports and services during this period, we have temporarily broadened the flexible approach to purchasing low cost assistive technology (AT) items.
You can now use existing NDIS funding to purchase a low-cost AT item such as a smart device if it will maintain your child’s access to NDIS funded early childhood intervention support and you don’t already have access to a suitable item.
Your provider will need to confirm the device is necessary for your child’s disability related supports and services to continue while you are maintaining physical distancing requirements.
There are some exclusions that need to be considered. Further details can be found on the Using your budget page.
Some participants will have a $1500 low cost AT budget in their current plan, however most people should not need to spend more than $750 on electronic devices needed to maintain existing NDIS services.
In the case of computer tablets or smart devices for telehealth or participating in online supports, advice from AT specialists is that most NDIS participants will not need more than a standard tablet, which costs no more than $600.
If your child has a core budget, they can use this flexibly to purchase assistive technology.
If your child’s plan does not include core funding and you need to purchase low cost assistive technology to support telepractice, your child’s provider can claim from the capacity building budget using a new line item for low cost assistive technology. This line item is for claiming only. Additional funds will not be added to your child’s plan.
In relation to internet charges and data costs – it continues to be Scheme policy that daily living expenses like groceries, rent, bills, including internet charges are a personal expense. As such, you can’t use your child’s plan funding to pay these costs.
If your child’s plan does not include core funding or the core funding is not sufficient for their current needs, please contact us to discuss whether you require a plan review to move some funding around within your child’s plan.