NDIS
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) exists to provide support and funding to Australians with disability. If you’re looking to move onto the NDIS or you’re supporting a loved one through the process, follow our easy guide below.
Step One: Check your eligibility
Before accessing the NDIS, it’s important to determine who is eligible for NDIS funding. Eligibility is based on several factors, including your age, where you live, and the nature of your disability. The NDIS eligibility criteria require that individuals have a permanent and significant disability that affects their ability to perform everyday activities. If you meet these criteria, you can download an Access Request Form and begin the process.
Step Two: Your needs and goals
Before setting up your plan, take time to assess your individual needs. Some key questions to consider include:
- Are there any gaps in your current support?
- Do you require any specialised aids or equipment?
- What are your short-term and long-term goals?
- What kind of transport do you need?
- Are you seeking NDIS housing or supported accommodation?
For those considering Supported Independent Living (SIL), understanding NDIS SIL rules is crucial. SIL provides assistance with daily tasks in shared or individual living arrangements, helping people live as independently as possible. If you’re exploring this option, it’s essential to check the NDIS housing requirements to determine the type of accommodation support available to you.
Step Three: Meet with Your Planner and Develop Your Plan
Once your NDIS Access Request Form has been submitted, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) will contact you to confirm your details and arrange a planning meeting with an NDIS planner or Local Area Coordinator (LAC). We recommend scheduling a face-to-face meeting to discuss your circumstances in detail.
Your NDIS plan will be tailored to your unique situation, covering aspects such as:
- Your living arrangements, including housing and support options
- Employment and vocational goals
- Transport needs
- Social and community participation
- Access to NDIS registered providers who can deliver the services you require
Step Four: Put your plan into action
At Orana, we can assist you in implementing your plan and connecting you with the right supports. As one of the trusted NDIS providers in Adelaide, we offer a wide range of services, including:
- Disability support services
- Employment programs
- Community participation opportunities
- Accommodation support, including NDIS housing
If you’re unsure about the next steps, our team can help you navigate the process, ensuring you have access to NDIS registered providers suited to your needs. Contact our Intake Coordinator or fill in our online enquiry form to learn more.
Step Five: Review and adjust your plan
Each year, you will have the opportunity to review your NDIS plan with an NDIS planner or LAC to assess whether your current goals and needs are being met. If your circumstances change – such as requiring different support services, housing modifications, or a shift in your goals – you can request a plan review at any time.
For more information about the NDIS eligibility process, available supports, and the role of NDIS providers in Adelaide, visit the NDIS website. If you wish to submit feedback, lodge a complaint, or learn more about the role of the NDIS Commission, visit their website.
For personalised assistance, call us on (08) 8375 2000 or complete our online enquiry form today.
Step-by-Step Guide
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For people with disability seeking greater independence, Supported Independent Living (SIL) funding can be a game-changer. This funding, provided through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), helps cover the costs of support workers assisting with daily tasks in a shared or individual living arrangement.
Navigating the SIL funding application process can feel overwhelming, but understanding the key steps can make it much more manageable. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to apply for SIL funding, what to expect, and how Orana can support you in securing the right support for your needs.
What is SIL Funding?
Supported Independent Living (SIL) funding is designed for NDIS participants who require assistance with daily tasks while living in a supported environment – this could include help with personal care, meal preparation, household chores, and social participation. Unlike Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), which covers housing costs, SIL specifically funds the support services needed to enable independent living. To access NDIS SIL funding, you must demonstrate a need for significant daily support and that SIL is the most appropriate option for your situation.
Step 1: Determine Your SIL Funding Eligibility
Before applying, it’s essential to understand whether you meet the SIL funding eligibility criteria. The NDIS assesses each participant based on their individual needs, goals, and level of required support. You may be eligible for SIL if you:
- Have an NDIS plan with funding for daily living support
- Require assistance with daily tasks to live independently
- Need 24/7 or regular ongoing support
- Would benefit from living in a shared or supported accommodation setting
If you’re unsure about your eligibility, consulting with an experienced provider like Orana can help clarify your options and guide you through the process.
Step 2: Discuss Your Needs at Your NDIS Planning Meeting
The NDIS SIL funding process begins with your planning meeting. During this discussion, you’ll need to present evidence of your support needs and explain why SIL is the best option for you. Key points and documents to prepare for your meeting :
- A Functional Capacity Assessment
- A Support Needs Assessment and Roster of Care to clearly outline your daily support requirements
- Any previous experience with independent or supported living arrangements
- An explanation of how SIL aligns with your personal goals and independence
If SIL funding is not initially included in your plan, you can request a plan review with supporting evidence to demonstrate your need.
Step 3: Obtain a SIL Quote and Support Proposal
Once SIL is included in your plan, the next step is obtaining a SIL provider quote. This involves a provider assessing your support needs and preparing a detailed proposal, which outlines:
- The level of support you require
- The number of hours of assistance per week
- The estimated cost of services
- How the support aligns with NDIS guidelines
NDIS planners and Local Area Coordinators (LACs) will use this information to determine funding levels. Choosing an experienced provider like Orana ensures you receive a well-prepared proposal that aligns with NDIS requirements.
Step 4: Select a SIL Provider and Move into Supported Accommodation
Once your SIL funding application is approved, you can choose a registered SIL provider to deliver your services. A good provider will work with you to develop a personalised support plan tailored to your lifestyle and goals. At Orana, we offer Supported Independent Living support solutions across South Australia, providing high-quality care and accommodation that promotes independence and community inclusion. Our experienced team ensures you receive the right level of support in a comfortable and safe environment.
Why Choose Orana for SIL Support?
Navigating the NDIS SIL funding process can be complex, but you don’t have to do it alone. Orana has decades of experience in disability services, helping people successfully secure and utilise SIL funding to achieve greater independence. Our team provides:
- Expert guidance on how to apply for SIL funding
- Assistance with SIL funding eligibility and NDIS applications
- High-quality supported accommodation options
- Personalised support tailored to your goals
If you’re considering SIL and need expert advice, Orana is here to help – contact us today to learn how we can support you on your journey to independent living.
Ready to get started?
Applying for SIL funding is a significant step towards achieving greater independence. By understanding the process, preparing the right documentation, and working with a trusted provider like Orana, you can ensure a smooth and successful application.
Step-by-Step Guide
Get a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to apply for supported independent living sent straight to your inbox. Simply enter your details below, click the Subscribe button, and our How to Apply for Supported Independent Living PDF will be emailed to you for free. If you don’t see it in your main inbox, please check your junk or promotions folders.
By entering your details, you consent to receive emails from Orana. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in our emails. For more details on how we handle your data, please review our Privacy Policy.
What is the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) exists to provide support and funding to Australians living with disability. The NDIS is an insurance-based scheme that invests in participants to improve long-term outcomes.
What is the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)?
The NDIA is an independent government statutory agency that implements the NDIS.
How will the NDIS affect me?
You will have more choice, more control, and more options to ensure the support you receive is meeting your wants and needs.
What types of support will my NDIS plan cover?
Your NDIS plan will fund reasonable and necessary supports to help you live life how you would like. This may include:
- Core support: A support that assists with daily living
- Capital: A support for an investment, such as assistive technologies, equipment and home or vehicle modifications
- Capacity building: Support that helps build independence and skills
How much funding will I get?
The NDIS will review your plan and will assess your individual goals and needs, then, will determine what is needed to achieve this.
Do my unspent NDIS funds rollover?
No, they don’t. Prior to your annual review meeting, we recommend you document the reasons why you haven’t spent your funds, and your NDIS planner can then factor these reasons into your next plan.
Plans are not based on what you have spent in the past, they are based on what is reasonable and necessary for you.
Capacity Building
Programs that are designed to develop and strengthen a persons skills and abilities.
Orana offers multiple capacity building programs, find out more.
Choice and Control
Clients are able to make their own decisions.
Client
An NDIS participant that is receiving support from Orana.
Early Intervention
Providing support at the earliest possible stage, often in an educational setting, to reduce the impacts of disability or developmental delay.
Goals
Things that a participant would like to achieve in the future, with the help of the NDIS or services. Goals might include finding a job, moving out of home, or building on physical strength.
Local Area Coordinator (LAC)
LACs work in partnership with the NDIA to help participants write and manage their plans, and connect to services and supports.
Mainstream Services
Services provided to everyone, with or without disability. This can also be referred to as informal supports.
National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)
The Australian Government agency set up to run the NDIS.
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
The national scheme for supporting people with disability.
Participant
People with disability who have an NDIS plan.
Passive
Overnight care and supports.
Registered Provider
A person or organisation that delivers services and supports to NDIS participants. Orana is an NDIS Registered Provider.
Self Management
When a participant and their family or caregivers manage the funding and supports in their NDIS plan.
Service Agreement
A written agreement created with a service provider that sets out:
- What services and supports the participant will receive from the provider
- How and when services and supports will be provided
- The costs of provided supports and services
- The duration of the agreement
Support Coordinator
People that can help find mainstream and other disability services.
Supported Employment
Employment that has been designed for people with disability.
Orana provides multiple supported employment opportunities in a variety of sectors, find out more here.
Supported Independent Living (SIL)
SIL is support to help you live as independently as possible. Support could include:
- Help with menu planning, shopping, and cooking
- Support attending activities in the community
- Assistance with attending medical appointments and taking care of medications
- Help in taking care of yourself
Orana provides Supported Independent Living, find out more here.
Find out more on the NDIS website.