Using your budget

With changing circumstances the way you may be using your plan budgets is also changing.

We have also answered questions about your plan and planning.

Transcript for 'I need to use my plan funding differently'

Low cost assistive technology

During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic response, we are hearing about innovative ways providers including Allied Health professionals are continuing to deliver services to participants – some of these are online.

We recommend participants and their families and carers work with their existing providers to discuss the best way to receive services and supports while maintaining physical distancing – this may include using available technology, developing exercise programs participants can do at home or borrowing equipment and keeping in touch over the phone.

Parents and guardians should also talk to their child’s provider about everyday activities they can do with their child, using items available at home and including new activities in everyday play.

To help participants continue to receive their NDIS funded supports and services during this period, the NDIA has temporarily broadened the flexible approach to purchasing low cost AT items.

This allows participants to access low cost AT items, such as smart devices and fitness equipment, in consultation with their existing support providers.

Participants can now use their existing NDIS funding to purchase an item if:

it will maintain funded NDIS supports like a program, therapy or requirement (for example physiotherapy or Auslan interpreting provided via video conferencing), and
the provider of supports has confirmed in writing the device is necessary to continue supports and services while maintaining physical distancing requirements, and
it is the lowest specification that will maintain funded supports, and
they do not already have the item, another suitable item or access to the item, and
the item has not been funded by another service system (such as education), and
the item or circumstances are not specifically excluded.

Participants are able to spend up to $1500 on low cost AT items from their existing budgets. Participants should not spend more than $750 on electronic devices needed to maintain existing services.

In the case of computer tablets or iPads for telehealth and care or participating in online video classes, advice from AT specialists is that most NDIS participants will not need more than a standard tablet, which costs no more than $600.

Participants can use their funding flexibly to purchase low cost AT using funding in their core - consumables budget. Plan managed or self-managed participants can purchase these items from any provider, and Agency managed participants can purchase these from any registered NDIS provider (this could include a therapy or support coordination provider).

This is a time limited policy which will be in place until September 2020 and will be reviewed at the end of June 2020.

NDIS funding cannot be used for:

any item that does not relate to the participant’s disability or that doesn’t help to maintain NDIS funded supports and services
devices with specifications beyond the minimum needed
smart phones, smart watches, iPads or tablets with mobile connections (e.g. 3G or 4G)
multiple devices
replacements for loss or damage
utility costs (internet connection)
software
additional hardware or accessories
purchase of items when rental options may be appropriate.

Transcript for 'Increased flexibility for low cost AT'

Low cost Assistive Technology during COVID-19:

Low cost AT items can be purchased using the consumables support category in the core support budget of your NDIS plan.

Under this new approach you cannot purchase items over $1500 and must comply with the exclusions, but we do not think participants will need to spend more than $750 to get the items they needed to maintain existing services.

Therabands and exercise balls are likely to be more appropriate than exercise machines.

In the case of computer tablets or iPads for telehealth/care or participating in online video classes, advice from AT specialists is that most NDIS participants will not need more than a standard tablet, which costs no more than $600.

Your core support budget is flexible – so if you don’t have enough money in your consumables support category, you can use funding allocated to other support categories.

Plan managed or self-managed participants can purchase these items from any provider, and Agency-managed participants can purchase these from registered NDIS providers.

Many NDIS registered therapy and support coordination providers could assist Agency managed participants with the supply of the AT item for you, and make the claim through the provider portal.

We know not all participants have funding available in core budgets for consumables – so we are working on a system update to provide flexibility within core budgets. This means if you have funding in another core category and not consumables you could use this flexibly to purchase an item. This change will happen automatically on 9 May 2020.

You should work with your existing provider to discuss the best way to receive services and supports while maintaining physical distancing – this may include using equipment and devices you already have, following exercise programs at home or borrowing equipment and keeping in touch over the phone.

You should also check to see that you have sufficient funds in your plan to cover the equipment you are considering. The Agency will not increase plan values to accommodate the purchase of a device.

If a specific item is needed to maintain supports, your provider will need to provide written confirmation that the device is necessary and appropriate to continue supports and services.

If your plan is Agency managed you can purchase these items from registered NDIS providers after discussion with your current provider(s) about the most suitable item. Your provider will need to send the written confirmation (a letter or email with the necessary details) to enquiries@ndis.gov.au with subject “Low cost AT flexibility evidence” before they process a payment claim with the NDIA.

Participants who are self-managing and have funds in their plan to cover the purchase, can buy low cost AT items, complete a payment claim and upload the written advice they have received from their provider to their participant record.

Participants who are using a plan manager should check with their plan manager if they have available plan funds. If they have funding available, the participant can work with their providers to identify and buy the necessary AT. Then, either they or their registered plan manager should email the evidence letter/email from their provider to enquiries@ndis.gov.au with subject “Low cost AT flexibility evidence” before the plan manager processes a payment claim with the NDIA.

Providers and registered plan managers must also keep a record of this written advice in case the Agency requests it at a later date.

You can use your core budget flexibly to cover the cost of the item.

If your plan does not have at least $1 in the consumables support category you will need to wait until 9 May 2020 before you will be able to purchase your item(s).

Participants who only have funding in their capacity building budget can use a new line item to purchase low cost AT (COVID-19 Low Cost AT to support Capacity Building support delivery 15_222400911_0124_1_3).

Step by step guides and information in easy read and LOTE will be made available shortly to support this updated policy.

First, you should discuss with your service provider the best way to continue receiving services and supports while maintaining physical distancing – this may include using equipment and devices you already have, following printed exercise programs at home or borrowing equipment and keeping in touch over the phone.

You should also check to see that you have sufficient funds in your plan to cover the equipment you are considering. The Agency will not increase plan values to accommodate the purchase of a device under this policy.

If there is a specific item that you and your provider agree will help you maintain supports during the physical distancing period, your provider will need to provide written advice before you make a purchase.

This could be for fitness equipment you would usually use as part of a group program, or a minimum specification tablet or iPad to maintain supports from your therapy service provider.

You also need to make sure that you follow the policy criteria:

you need the equipment to maintain funded (existing) NDIS supports, and
your support provider has confirmed in writing that this equipment is necessary to maintain funded NDIS supports, and
the item is the lowest specification that will maintain funded supports, and
you do not have access to the item, and
the item is not funded through a different support system, and
no other exclusions apply.

You should ensure any low cost AT you buy meets your needs, helps you reach your goals and is value for money.

You should also compare prices of similar supports or the cost of the same items from different providers to make sure you are getting the best value.

Consider the following when deciding on how much to pay for a support:

Value-for-money: Is the cost of the support reasonable when you think about the benefit you will get?
Quality: Is the quality of the item right and will it help you achieve your goals?
Budget: How much funding do you have available in your NDIS plan and can you afford the amount of support you need within your budget?

Participants can use their funding flexibly to purchase low cost AT using funding in their core - consumables budget. You do not need to have AT specifically included in your plan. Your core support budget is flexible, so if you don’t have enough money in your consumables support category, you can use funding allocated to other support categories.

We know not all participants have funding available in core budgets for consumables so we are working on a system update to provide flexibility within core budgets. This means if you have funding in another core category and not consumables you could use this flexibly to purchase an item. This change will happen automatically on 9 May 2020.

Participants who only have funding in their capacity building budget can use the special line item to enable use of this new flexible approach (COVID-19 Low Cost AT to support Capacity Building support delivery 15_222400911_0124_1_3).

If you are currently self-managing your supports and you don’t have enough money in your consumables support category, you will be able to access funding allocated to other support categories in June.

Talk to your provider about what’s appropriate for your situation and how these types of support can help you achieve your goals.

You might consider ways to use your existing technology to help connect with your providers (like linking a smartphone to your TV to create a large screen, screen mirroring or using Google Chromecast).

If you only have funding in your capacity building budget you can use the special line item to enable use of this new flexible approach (COVID-19 Low Cost AT to support Capacity Building support delivery 15_222400911_0124_1_3).

If you are self-managing your capacity building budget, select Improved Daily Living as the support category when claiming (this is also the area also used to claim for therapeutic supports).

This only applies to low cost AT items purchased or rented in line with this policy after 1 April 2020.

If you only have funding in your capacity building budget you can use the special line item to purchase your equipment (COVID-19 Low Cost AT to support Capacity Building support delivery 15_222400911_0124_1_3).

If you are self-managing your capacity building budget, select “Improved Daily Living” as the support category when claiming (this is also the area also used to claim for therapeutic supports).

This only applies to low cost items purchased or rented in line with this policy after 1 April 2020.

It is really important that you have talked to your provider about the best way to continue your supports and, if low cost AT is part of that solution.

They will need to give you written advice about the low cost AT you need.

If you have an NDIS plan without a core budget, and you also don’t have any funding for “Improved daily living” (CB Daily Activity) in your capacity building budget, you will need to contact the NDIS to discussing moving funding in your plan.

If you are in this situation and need to purchase low cost AT to continue to receive your current NDIS supports and services, please call us.

You will need to request a plan review to move funding in your plan.

This will not result in additional funding being added to your plan, but will ensure you have the flexibility you need to make this purchase.

Please have the written advice from your provider before you call.

The intent of this policy is to help participants continue therapy and supports due to physical distancing requirements associated with coronavirus (COVID-19).

This policy is not intended to support participants in starting new supports that weren’t in place before physical distancing restrictions were put into place.

You should use existing funds to pay for low cost AT.

Additional funds will not be added to your plan just for these purchases. We expect these costs to be accommodated within existing budget.

If your plan does not have sufficient funds for ongoing supports, you should follow the usual process for a plan review. The Agency will not accept changes to plans solely to purchase low-cost AT under this policy.

If your plan is Agency managed you can purchase these items from NDIS providers authorised to supply AT devices.

If you are using a plan manager, they can arrange the payment for low cost AT for you.

If you are self-managing your NDIS plan, there are two options to pay for your supports with your NDIS funding:

Make a Payment Request and then pay your provider. Once you receive written confirmation that the AT item is required to support your existing NDIS services and an account or invoice from your provider, make a Payment Request. This can be done online using the myplace portal. Money from your NDIS plan budget will be paid into your nominated bank account within 24 to 48 hours. You can then pay your provider.
Pay your provider and then make a Payment Request. Once you receive your support, pay your provider using your own money and get a receipt. Make a Payment Request to have the money from your NDIS plan budget paid into your nominated bank account. You will be reimbursed within 24 to 48 hours.

For times that you cannot use the myplace portal there is a payment request form. Find out more on the NDIS website – Paying for your supports.

You can use your core budget flexibly to cover the cost of the item. If your plan does not have funding in the consumables support category you will need to wait until 9 May 2020 until you are able to purchase your items.

Participants who only have funding in their capacity building budget can use a new line to purchase low cost AT (COVID-19 Low Cost AT to support Capacity Building support delivery 15_222400911_0124_1_3).

All participants and providers should keep a copy of the written advice about the AT item purchased. Self-managing participants can upload this to their participant record.

Any fitness equipment you purchase should have been used with your providers before physical distancing requirements came into place.

Your provider, allied health professional or therapist should advise you on the fitness equipment you need to purchase to continue your therapy at home, and they should confirm in writing that this equipment is necessary to maintain your NDIS funded supports.

Your providers might also be able to loan you this equipment, or you might be able to hire it for the time you need it.

Remember you cannot purchase items over $1500 and must only use your NDIS funding on supports and services that are related to your disability and will help you to achieve the goals in your NDIS plan.

No, play equipment is considered an everyday item.

Unless this equipment was part of your plan prior to coronavirus (COVID-19) it is unlikely that any additional equipment would be required.

Your service provider may explore with you how to use every day play equipment, routines and activities at home or in the community to progress towards your child’s goals.

If a specific item is required to maintain supports, written advice will be required to support this purchase.

You must make sure the written advice is provided to the NDIA – you can upload it to your participant record or ask your provider or plan manager to email it to the NDIA at enquiries@ndis.gov.au with a subject like ‘Low cost AT flexibility evidence’. Your and your provider should also keep a copy in case the Agency requests it at a later date.

The written advice (which can include an email) should include:

the participant’s name and NDIS number;
confirmation that delivery of current supports in the participant’s plan have been significantly hindered due to physical distancing restrictions (or other consequences of coronavirus (COVID-19)) and that alternate solutions to maintain delivery/outcome have been considered, but do not fully address the limitations;
how the device is necessary to maintain supports and services while maintaining physical distancing requirements;
the specific technologies and associated accessories required, and that these represent the lowest specification capable of delivering the benefit; and
that the participant is able to use the device/s to access the support.

Before the participant (or nominee) or provider makes a claim for the selected item, the participant should be sure that:

the participant does not already have the item, another suitable item or access to the item, and
a similar or suitable item has not been funded by another service system (such as education), and
the item or circumstances are not specifically excluded under this policy.

Low cost AT items that were purchased after 1 April 2020 may be considered under this policy, if you had funding in your plan to cover the purchase. If, after reading the detailed requirements, you and your provider agree the item will help you maintain supports, your provider will need to provide written advice of this.

You must make sure the written advice is kept, and provided to the NDIA – you can upload it to your participant record or ask your provider or plan manager to email it to the NDIA at enquiries@ndis.gov.au with a subject like ‘Low cost AT flexibility evidence’. Your provider should also keep a copy in case the Agency requests it at a later date.

If the item does not meet the policy requirements and you have claimed in error, please contact enquiries@ndis.gov.au or 1800 800 110.

A participant can purchase a single item if you do not already own or have access to a device that would meet your needs to continue to access supports and services.

This includes if you have access to a suitable device through:

your family
work
school

If you already have access to a device you can use in your household then you don’t need to purchase another device.

But, if you can’t use the device when you need to, or the device doesn’t meet your needs, then speak to your provider about what device would best help you to continue to receive the supports and services funded in your plan.

This flexible approach does not cover applications or software, however apps which have been specified and approved in a participant’s plan can be paid for with their NDIS funding.

We recommend talking to your school or work about what you might need to use the device for and what access to programs, websites or applications you might need to continue your supports and services.

If you are not able to use the device in a way that meets your needs, speak to your provider about what would best help you continue to receive the supports and services funded in your plan – that might include purchasing a new device.

Participants are able to spend up to $1,500 on low cost AT items from their existing budgets.

We expect that participants should not need to spend more than $750 on electronic devices to maintain existing services.

In the case of computer tablets for telehealth and care or participating in online video classes, advice from AT specialists is that most NDIS participants will not need more than a standard tablet, which costs no more than $600.

Generally no, unless you and your provider agree they are the most suitable solution to continue your supports and for your particular disability needs, and they are within the low cost AT price limit.

You can only buy items that help you continue to access your existing supports and services. You cannot use your NDIS funding to purchase a smart device for entertainment, education or gaming.

A tablet computer is a computer device that you touch the screen to operate, and is around the size of note book. It is bigger than a smartphone but usually smaller than a laptop computer, and doesn’t have a keyboard. The Apple iPad and Lenovo or Samsung Tabs are examples of tablet computers. These devices can be used to connect to the internet.

We recommend participants and their families and carers work with their existing providers to discuss the best way to receive services and supports while maintaining physical distancing. This may include using available technology, developing exercise programs you can do at home or borrowing equipment and keeping in touch over the phone.

Your provider of supports must confirm in writing the proposed device is necessary to continue supports and services while maintaining physical distancing requirements.

No further assessments are required for the purchasing of low cost AT.

If your plan is Agency managed you can purchase these items from registered NDIS providers, and they can claim payment from the NDIA.

If you are using a plan manager, they can arrange the payment for low cost AT for you.

If you are self-managing your NDIS plan, there are two options to pay for your supports with your NDIS funding:

Make a Payment Request and then pay your provider. Once you receive written confirmation that the AT item is required to support your existing NDIS services and an account or invoice from your provider, make a Payment Request. This can be done online using the myplace portal. Money from your NDIS plan budget will be paid into your nominated bank account within 24 to 48 hours. You can then pay your provider.
Pay your provider and then make a Payment Request. Once you receive your support, pay your provider using your own money and get a receipt. Make a Payment Request, to have the money from your NDIS plan budget paid into your nominated bank account. You will be reimbursed within 24 to 48 hours.

Plan flexibility

From 9 May 2020, participants who are either Plan or Agency-managed and have a Core Support budget, will be able to use all four funding categories without the need for a plan review.

This means that, if your NDIS Plan is Plan or Agency-managed, you have more flexibility in how you use your Core Support budget.

This means flexibility in accessing the disability related supports you need to achieve your goals, for example, purchasing a smart device to participate in telepractice sessions.

It is important to remember that NDIS funding is for disability-related supports, not for everyday or ordinary living expenses.

While this change will give you greater flexibility as a Plan or Agency-Managed participant using their Core Support, your total plan amount will not change.

Participants should not notice any changes to the look of their NDIS participant plan.

However, participants viewing their plan through the myplace portal (View My Plan section) may notice a $0 funding in the transport category. This is a known error, and participants are still able to use their core funding for transport.

You do not need to do anything.

Participants who already receive periodic transport payments will continue to have these paid into their bank account. These funds cannot be used towards other core supports.

Participants who do not receive periodic transport payments will still be able to use their funding flexibly across all four support categories for transport funding.

If you have periodic transport funding already in your plan, you will be able to use your funding across three core support categories, not including transport.

Yes, if your Core Supports are Agency or Plan Managed, this update will mean you can use your funding flexibility across all core support categories.

You are, however, restricted to the amount allocated to the plan management type.

The update was rolled out for Plan and Agency managed participants on 9 May 2020, and is planned to roll out for participants who self-manage in June 2020.

The NDIA is working on further improvements to ensure that all self-managed participants are able to use their Core Budget funding flexibly across all Core support categories.

If you would like a plan review, please contact your MyNDIS contact or contact us on 1800 800 110.

Your overall plan value will not change.

You will be able to use your overall core budget flexibly to purchase the services and supports you need.

If your support needs change, we can conduct a change of circumstances plan review. This may include a review of the funds in your capacity building budget and/or core support budget to ensure your plan meets your needs during this time.

To help us work with you on any changes, or to include different supports in your plan, please share additional information and evidence with us. We can work with you to develop a new plan based on the information provided.

You can contact us on 1800 800 110, and select option 5 to talk to us about using your plan during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Your Core supports budget is the most flexible, and in most cases, you can use your funding across any of the Core support categories to ensure you can get the support you need during this time.

Special teams of planners in the NDIA are available to help make urgent changes to plans. Call us on 1800 800 110 if you need urgent assistance.

No. The change for participants to be able to use core funding flexibly for support coordination will be in place for up to six months (commenced 25 March).

The NDIA will review this change in three months to assess if the change continues to be appropriate.

If your Core support funding is low, we can move some of your Capacity Building funding to your Core support funding, so you can purchase the services you need now.

Special teams of planners in the NDIA are available to help make these changes.

Your Capital Support Budget will still be separate to the other budgets, and you can use this funding for assistive technology items.

Using your budget

No. Face masks and hand sanitiser are everyday items, and are a personal expense. You cannot use your consumable budget to pay for personal protective equipment (PPE).

Talk to your provider about how you would like to maintain your health and safety at this time

Your provider may have access to the National Medical Stockpile of PPE to use in certain circumstances.

If you have support workers coming and going, it’s important they wash their hands regularly, and clean door knobs, light switches, taps and other surfaces thoroughly during their visit.

We encourage you to keep an adequate supply of the essential products you need, but do not stockpile more than you need.

If you are well and your support worker is well, you do not need to wear surgical masks as there is little evidence supporting the widespread use of surgical masks in healthy people to prevent transmission in public.

Our priority is to ensure the disability supports and services you are receiving meet your immediate needs. We can make changes to your funding through a change of circumstances plan review, so your plan meets your needs during this time.

Not at this time. Your funding is designed to support your disability-related needs.

Any NDIS participant who is concerned that their own support needs are not being met should call their Support Coordinator or the NDIA on 1800 800 110.

While adhering to the government advice, you can continue to use your transport funds for your disability related services and supports

The Australian Government’s advice for physical distancing to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) requires all Australians to stay at home unless absolutely necessary. Some states advise not to visit family and friends at this time.

You can still keep in touch with loved ones while you practise physical distancing:

use video chats
make phone calls to people you would normally catch up with in person
use online groups to interact
chat with neighbours while keeping 1.5 metres apart
look after your mental health. Visit Head to Health for more information

The Department of Health has guidelines for all Australians on the types of essential activities outside the home.

We encourage participants to purchase the essential supports that best meet their needs using their existing budget.

If you are concerned that your support needs have significantly changed and your plan budget is exhausted, please contact your Support Coordinator or the NDIA on 1800 800 110.

Daily living expenses like groceries, rent, bills (including internet charges) are a personal expense. You cannot use your NDIS funding to pay for day-to-day items.

The Government has announced a range of support measures for eligible people affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

More information is available at Services Australia .

If you currently have funding in your plan for a gym program, you may be able to use your funding flexibly to maintain your fitness goals.

You may be able to use your funds for short-term rental of gym equipment or online fitness training programs if:

you cannot access the program, or
it cannot be delivered remotely

You can also work with your therapist or trainer to develop an exercise program using everyday items, while gyms are closed.

It is important to take into account social distancing advice. This means exploring options around safe home-based exercise programs that can be performed independently, with online support or the personal supports already in your home.

Take a look at our participant booklets for more advice on how to use the supports in your plan.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and practising self-isolation can be stressful and it may impact your mental health and wellbeing. It’s natural to feel a range of emotions, like stress and worry, particularly if your regular activities aren’t occuring, or if you are caring for someone else.

A range of online resources is available on the Department of Health website.

If you feel you need help and it’s not an emergency, it’s best to contact your doctor.

When you speak your doctor, they’ll assess what help you need. This could include:

making a mental health assessment
creating a mental health treatment plan
referring you to a psychiatrist or other mental health professional
giving you a prescription for medicines to treat depression or anxiety.

A treatment plan lets you claim for up to 10 sessions with a mental health professional each calendar year.

Visit the Services Australia website for further information.

If you require urgent support, please contact;

Lifeline on 13 11 14
Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
Beyond Blue 1300 224 636
Headspace
SANE Australia 1800 187 263
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
Australian Government Department of Health 24 hour Coronavirus hotline 1800 020 080
NDIS 1800 800 110.

Further information about plan flexibility can be found on the What happens when page.

You can only use your NDIS funding for disability-related supports. The funding in your Core support budget is flexible, so you can use the funding in this budget to purchase the disability-related supports you need during this time. Special teams of NDIA staff are available to help make urgent changes to plans. Call us on 1800 800 110 if you need urgent assistance.

Below are some online resources to keep you mentally healthy, connected and entertained:

Find tips to help manage stress and changes in your daily life on the headspace website
Join a Social-distancing Singalong during your lunch hour
Set up a long-distance movie night with your friends or family with Netflix party
Explore 500 virtual tours of museums around the world
Catch Zoos Victoria's animal live streams on their website and social media channels
For more ideas and resources follow the NDIS Facebook page .

Talk to your support workers about how they can support you remotely.

Some providers are using telepractice or telehealth so that they can continue to support participants and families to deliver supports like speech therapy and occupational therapy.

You should develop a clear plan for what support you want delivered remotely, and know how it will help meet your immediate needs, or help you achieve the goals in your NDIS plan.

Providers and participants need to discuss and agree on any new arrangements and the impact on service fees.

The 10 per cent increase in price limits only applies to the following supports:

Assistance with Daily Life (not including SIL)
Assistance with Social and Community Participation
Improved Health and Wellbeing (not including personal training)
Improved Daily Living Skills.

The 10 per cent price increase has been added to price limits to these supports for up to six months, as part of a financial assistance package to assist registered providers to continue to deliver supports to you at this time.

No. You must agree to any increase to your support coordination services.

Any agreed increase in support coordination must have a service agreement and new service booking in place.

To cover the additional costs of service delivery at this time, a 10 per cent price limit increase has been added to certain supports.

This is part of a financial assistance package for registered providers so they can continue to deliver supports to participants.

Providers can claim the 10 per cent price increase with the agreement of the participant.

If participants need additional assistance or their funds are low, they can phone us on 1800 800 110.

Special teams of planners in the NDIA are available to discuss your situation and undertake a plan review if needed.

Support items with price limits listed under the following categories, with some exclusions, had the 10 per cent increase applied to their price limits for up to six months, from 25 March 2020:

Assistance with Daily Life (but not including Supported Independent Living)
Assistance with Social and Community Participation
Improved Health and Wellbeing (but not including personal training)
Improved Daily Living Skills.

If your support workers can’t work with you, your provider should be in touch to organise a replacement worker or carer to help you.

It’s important that you discuss what your essential needs are with your providers, to ensure they are being met.
All NDIS providers are expected to follow NDIS rules, codes and policies.

If you are concerned you have been charged for a service that is not aligned to an arrangement to which you have consented, firstly, speak to the provider directly or to your Support Coordinator if you have one.

The Minister for the NDIS has announced a range of measures to support NDIS participants and providers during this time including changes to the cancellations policy. The changes to the cancellation policy only apply when the participant chooses to cancel a service, not when a provider cancels a service.

If you need additional advice, contact the NDIS Contact Centre on 1800 800 110. If you think you are still being charged incorrectly, you can report the problem to the fraud reporting hotline on 1800 650 717 or email fraudreporting@ndis.gov.au.

We encourage providers to give you essential support and ensure you have adequate supplies. This means your provider may need to do some different tasks for you, like visiting the pharmacy to ensure you have adequate supplies of medication, or doing some grocery shopping for you.

Your provider may need to do some different tasks for you, like visiting the pharmacy to ensure you have adequate supplies of medication, or doing some grocery shopping for you.

Both Coles and Woolworths have announced additional assistance for people with disabilities. This includes dedicated shopping times and priority access to online delivery services.

Head to the Coles and Woolworths websites to learn more.

No. We provide funding for people with disability to get the disability-related supports they need. We don’t provide supplies or services directly.

We encourage you to keep an adequate supply of the essential products you need, but do not stockpile more than you need.

You can talk to your suppliers and providers about the products you need, and how to get them.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) suggests you continue to check with local authorities and your travel agent about available flights.

If your situation becomes life-threatening and you need urgent supports, or you have very serious concerns for your welfare (for example, cannot find any accommodation whatsoever, or any food, or essential medications), please contact the Consular Emergency Centre from overseas on +61 2 6261 3305 or SMS them on 61 421 269 080.

You can also contact your nearest embassy by email.

To keep up-to-date with the latest DFAT advice, visit the COVID-19 – What to do when you can’t get home webpage on the Smartraveller website.

A participants plan continues to be in effect during temporary absences overseas. Further information is available in the Planning Operational Guideline.

Education

Generally, it is a parent or guardian’s responsibility to transport their child to and from school. States and Territories have a responsibilities for ensuring school transport is accessible to all students and, in the current environment, meets physical distancing and hygiene requirements.

If a parent or guardian prefers not to send their child to school on available school transport either because of COVID-19 or for some other reason, they need to cover the cost of alternative transport through their own expenses.

If specialist transport is required because of the student’s disability there may be situations where the NDIS pays for transport to and from school. You should discuss your child’s situation with your LAC.

During this time, we encourage you to use your Core Supports budget flexibly to ensure you get the support you need.

The NDIA is collaborating with Department of Social Services (DSS), Services Australia and NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NQSC) as well as health agencies to ensure participants receive the support they need and remain safe

Your child’s NDIS funding is for their disability-related needs. It can’t be used for work entitlements – like paying back personal annual leave.

The Government has announced a range of support measures for eligible people affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. More information is available at Services Australia .