Are you making the most of your NDIS funding?
Navigating the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can, at times, feel overwhelming. However, understanding how to maximise your funding can make a big difference to ensuring the services and supports you receive are individualised to meeting your needs while also helping you to achieve your goals.
Jodi Perkin, JP Trusted Advisor (JPTA) Director and Specialist Support Coordinator, who has been working in the disability sector for more than 30 years, gives us her top five tips to help you maximise your NDIS funds.
“Whether you’re a new NDIS participant or you are looking to optimise your current funding, with the right approach you might be able to stretch your NDIS funding further,” says Jodi. “It’s really important that you know how you can use your NDIS funds, especially as the Australian Government have made some significant and important changes to the NDIS legislation late last year. Under these changes, all NDIS participants will only be able to use NDIS funds for items that are listed as NDIS supports.”
Strategies to maximising your NDIS funding
1. Know what mainstream services provide compared to what the NDIS funds
“One of the most important things to understand about your NDIS funding is what it covers and what falls under mainstream services,” explains Jodi.
“Some services and supports that you need to live your life the way you choose might be available through other government systems or services such as health, education or community services and programs. That way you can free up some of your NDIS funding for other services that are reasonable and necessary.”
For example:
Healthcare: Medicare or public hospitals may cover medical treatments, allied health services and mental health support allowing you to use your NDIS funds for additional therapy, supports or assistive technology.
Education: Schools may provide education support enabling you to allocate more of your NDIS funds towards personal support or assistive devices.
Community: Many local councils and organisations offer free or low-cost recreational activities, social groups and transport assistance reducing the need to use your NDIS funding for similar services.
The key takeaway: Access mainstream services first, so you can ensure your NDIS funding is reserved for supports that are truly essential and not otherwise available.
2. Use your NDIS plan creatively - tailor services to your needs
“You don’t have to accept standard service rates, structures, typical rostered support and a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach,” says Jodi. “Know you can use your plans creatively. When you are talking to service providers ask them about how they can be creative and develop a service that is very much individualised to meet your needs, while working within the funding.”
Ways to do this include:
Explore alternative or custom service delivery: Discuss with service providers flexible service delivery options, instead of opting for one-on-one sessions, you can ask if group sessions (if you feel comfortable being in a group setting) or telehealth options are available as these amy be more cost-effective. Some providers may also allow flexible appointment lengths to better suit your needs, while staying within your NDIS plan.
Combine supports where possible: If you receive multiple services with the same provider, check if they can be bundled together to save costs and improve efficiency.
Ask about different pricing structures: Some providers offer different rates depending on the time of day or location of the service - choosing off-peak hours could help to reduce costs.
Shared support options: If you require support for activities, you could consider the possibility of sharing services with others in a similar situation to help reduce individual costs.
The key takeaway: Think outside the box and work together with your service providers to develop solutions that fit within your budget, while still delivering the best outcomes to support your needs.
3. Track your funding regularly and review your goals
“Keeping an eye on your NDIS budget through the year is vital,” says Jodi. “It is important you regularly track your funding and also review your goals. Many participants find themselves running out of funds too soon, or not using all their funding before their plan ends. To avoid these issues, it’s important, across the year at any time, to identify when goals aren’t going to be achievable or you are going off on a different direction or the provider isn’t giving you the service you expected, Be clear about your expectations and know you can change providers.”
What you can do:
Keep track of your NDIS funding: using the my NDIS app, you can view your current plan information and budget, which allows you to check your budget and see how much funding is available in each support category. If you make a claim from the my NDIS app, the balance shown in the app will update as soon as the claim has been made. If you make a claim in the myplace portal it can take approximately 10 minutes for your budget to be updated.
Assess whether your current supports are helping you achieve your goals: If a service isn’t effective speak to your service provider and consider modifying it or replacing it with a service that will better fit your needs.
Know when adjustments are needed: By keeping track of your NDIS funding, you will know if you’re overspending and you can explore alternative service providers or service options. If you’re underspending, you can look at additional support services that could support you in other ways to live your life the way you choose while continuing to meet your goals.
Switching providers: If a service provider isn’t delivering value, you have the right to explore other service providers that better suit your needs.
The key takeaway: Be proactive and track your funding to ensure you stay in control and make the most out of your NDIS plan.
4. Negotiate rates and ask ‘what will I get for my money?’
It’s important all NDIS participants, their families and carers know that they have the ability to negotiate service costs,” says Jodi. “Just because it says in the price guide it’s a certain hourly rate, doesn’t mean providers have to charge it or self-managed or private carers have to charge it. Be clear that you can negotiate on rates and always ask what services you are getting for your money and whether there are ways to make the most of your NDIS funding.”
Ways to approach negotiations:
Request a breakdown of costs: Ask service providers for a breakdown of costs to understand exactly what you are paying for an whether there are alternative service options available.
Compare different providers and look for hidden costs: See who offers the best value without compromising on quality and be aware of hidden costs.
Consider working with independent providers: Independent providers may have more flexibility in pricing compared to larger providers.
Look for service providers who offer value-added benefits: You might be able to make the most of your NDIS funds by asking service providers if they offer additional support materials, waivers on travel costs or discounts for telehealth appointments.
The key takaway: Do some research to find a service provider and solution that not only meets your needs, but best fits your circumstances. Research and negotiation can go a long way in helping to make your NDIS funding stretch further.
5. Know your options - research providers and plan ahead
“One of the most costly mistakes NDIS participants make, especially people new to NDIS, is not exploring all service providers available to them,” says Jodi. “Knowing what your options are and doing your research ensures you find the best provider for your needs, rather than settling for the first option available. It might mean you’re not implementing your plan straight away, but it’s about getting it right. Know that there are a number of providers, services and suppliers out there and know what your actual options are, so you are accessing the right services for you so they are able to meet your needs and ongoing needs.”
Research strategies:
Look at reviews and testimonials: Review what other participants have said about service providers to gauge reliability and quality of services.
Compare service providers’ service offerings and pricing: Be sure the service providers you are considering, are able to provide the services you need.
Plan ahead: Try to plan ahead so you don’t feel as though you are making rushed decisions when you might urgently need a service or supports.
Attend disability expos or NDIS events: Expos and events are a great way to meet providers, find out more information about them, talk to a representative and explore other options beyond online searches.
Consult with a support coordinator or specialist support coordinator: Support coordinators and specialist support coordinators can provide valuable knowledge and insight into the best services available in your area to meet your specific needs.
The key takeaway: Take the time to research and plan, so you can ensure you get the best quality support without unnecessary costs.
Making the most of your NDIS funding isn’t just about spending money on services - it’s about making informed choices which will help you get the supports and services you need to live your life the way you choose while helping you achieve your goals. By understanding the new NDIS legislative changes, what the NDIS will and won’t fund, thinking creatively about your plan, tracking your funding, negotiating rates and researching your options, you can get the best value out of your NDIS funds and plan.
At JP Trusted Advisor we understand that navigating the NDIS can feel overwhelming. If you have any questions about your plan, need support coordination or would like expert advice about how to maximise your NDIS funding, we are here to help.