3 Things Not Funded by the NDIS

What the NDIS funds is well documented, but what about what it doesn't?

For years, we've been assisting people with the NDIS, and if there's one question we get more frequently than others, it's "Does the NDIS cover this?"

In this blog, we’ll go over some of the things that people think are covered by the NDIS but aren't.

But first, a word about "Reasonable and Necessary."

Could we possibly write a blog about what the NDIS funds without mentioning these two words?

If you've ever asked someone if the NDIS covers something, the phrase "reasonable and necessary" will likely come up shortly after.

Reasonable and Necessary is how the NDIS decides what gets funded under the NDIS.

1.  The NDIS will not cover any supports already provided by the government.

The NDIS exists to provide services not provided by other government agencies.

When you have a disability in Burwood, it can be challenging to know who to approach for funding and support. Many other government services work alongside with the NDIS, and there is a lot of overlap here.

There are three primary government services that can create confusion regarding who funds what—the healthcare system, education system, and, of course, Centrelink.

The healthcare system and the NDIS

You may have heard people say things like, "the NDIS is Australia's biggest social reform since Medicare." However, because Medicare was the first to emerge, everything covered by Medicare is not covered by the NDIS.

However, there are certain grey areas. As a result, it's always a good idea to speak with someone about your specific circumstances and requirements.

Unfortunately, the NDIS does not reimburse or assist with medication costs. This is a common question, but you would have to go through the healthcare system to receive medication subsidies.

The education system and the NDIS

We've noticed a lot of confusion between what the education system funds and what the NDIS funds.

The NDIS does not cover school expenses, so everything covered by your school fees will not be covered by the NDIS. However, the NDIS does an excellent job breaking this down, so if you're looking for additional information, go to their education webpage.

On many things, the education system and the NDIS work collaboratively. The good news is that schools are usually extremely good at guiding you through things so that you won't be alone in this.

Centrelink and the NDIS

Many NDIS members are also eligible for Centrelink payments, the most frequent of which is the Disability Support Pension (DSP).

'Will the NDIS affect my Centrelink payments?' is the most common question we get in this space.

The NDIS will not change your Centrelink payments, so the answer is no. In addition, any funding provided by the NDIS is not considered income and is thus tax-free.

2.  Most day–to–day living expenses are not covered by the NDIS.

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The NDIS does not cover most general day–to–day expenses. For example, the NDIS does not cover groceries, phone bills, event tickets, or regular living expenditures.

If it's something that a person without a disability would buy with their own money, it's unlikely to be covered by the NDIS.

Of course, the NDIS isn't always black and white, as with most things. The NDIS considers your specific needs and circumstances when determining how much funding you'll need and how much funding you'll get.

3.  The NDIS doesn't cover things that aren't related to your disability.

This one appears to be straightforward, yet there is some nuance. First, of course, the NDIS will not pay for it if it has nothing to do with your disability.

Another way of putting it is that the NDIS will not cover supports not relevant to your disability. The essential point here is that the NDIS can interpret your demands in any way it sees fit. As a result, a large portion of this will be decided at your planning meeting.

It's worth emphasising that the NDIS does an excellent job of understanding and asking the relevant questions in general. However, even if the NDIS funds a support, that doesn't always imply you'll be able to use it. Thanks to several funding categories, the budget can be spent in various ways. As a result, they can be pretty adaptable, yet they can also be very rigid.

Is there any funding available through the NDIS for parents and carers?

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was created to assist individuals with disabilities in Burwood and all of Australia. What about the caregivers, though? Carers frequently ask what NDIS services and supports are available to them, and this is an interesting point. Unfortunately, there are no special supports available for carers at this time.

Short-term accommodation is the closest thing to support for the caregiver. This is a form of respite. 

Where can I go for help?

Here at Ebenezer, we are always happy to assist people in navigating the NDIS scheme. If you have any further queries concerning the NDIS, don't hesitate to get in touch with us at 0478 831 731.