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What is NDIS, Eligibility and How to Apply


NDIS stands for National Disability Insurance Scheme. 

The NDIS is an Australian scheme providing a way for individuals with disabilities, including people diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease, to get the disability support you need. 

The NDIS takes a person-centred approach through individualised funding plans. This means that Participants are at the centre of the decision-making process about how you want to live your life, your choice of supports, and who you would like to deliver your supports. It is designed to provide choice, control, and independence.

The NDIS funds reasonable and necessary supports and services that relate to a person's disability to help you achieve your goals. 'Reasonable' means the support is most appropriately funded or provided through the NDIS. And 'necessary' means something a person needs that is related to your disability.

More general information about the NDIS is available at https://www.ndis.gov.au/understanding/what-ndis 


What services are available through the NDIS

Examples of the types of supports that the NDIS may fund include:

  • Assistance with self-care and daily activities
  • Transport, if you are unable to use public transport due to your disability
  • Workplace help 
  • Help with household tasks to allow you to maintain your home environment
  • Home modifications
  • Mobility and Assistive technology equipment
  • Support to obtain/retain appropriate accommodation
  • Specialist therapy supports, e.g. Occupational Therapists, Dieticians, Behavioural specialists, Exercise Physiologists, Counsellors and Behaviour specialists.

The types of services funded are tailored to your specific needs with the aim of allowing you to achieve your goals and to live your best life.

Am I eligible?

To be eligible you will need to meet strict screening protocols.  These include:

  • Are you aged between 7 and 65?
  • Do you live in Australia and have Australian residency?
  • Do you usually need support from a person because of a permanent and significant disability?
  • Do you need some supports now to reduce your future needs?

An HD diagnosis may qualify you to be eligible to gain access to NDIS Services. However, it is important to remember that it is the impact of an HD diagnosis on everyday life that will be the most important factor in helping to determine what types of funded supports you need and how much funding you will receive. 

An eligibility screening checklist is available at https://www.ndis.gov.au/applying-access-ndis/am-i-eligible 

 


Next steps – how to apply for NDIS

Once you have established your possible eligibility you will need to complete an Access request.

You can arrange an Access request by:

  • calling the NDIS on 1800 800 110 and asking to make an Access Request
  • completing and submitting the Access Request Form and send by email to NAT@ndis.gov.au 

or

  • contact your local LAC or NDIA office for assistance.

Local Area Coordinators are experts in navigating the broader disability sector. The NDIS works with suitably experienced and qualified partner organisations to deliver local area coordination to Australians with disability. 

The form and process to follow is available at https://www.ndis.gov.au/how-apply-ndis/what-access-request-form

If you would like help from the Huntington’s WA team to complete the application process, please email ndis@huntingtonswa.org.au  or phone the office 08 6457 7599.