A Quick Guide To Understanding NDIS Accommodation Support

When searching for NDIS accommodation, managing the financial aspects is one of the biggest responsibilities that you will face. The great news is that monetary support is available. However, only you can take the necessary steps to ensure that you (or a loved one) receive the full financial assistance you deserve.

Here at Soteria, our friendly experts can support you throughout the process of finding NDIS accommodation and funding. Nonetheless, you must understand the system in advance. The following advice will help.

When Can NDIS Accommodation Financial Support Be Used?

The first question that any participant must ask relates to what types of housing and living assistance NDIS financial support can be used for. Funding may be utilised for any of the following;

Private ILOs

An individualised living option (ILO) is a form of assisted living that focuses on one-to-one support. You will live with either a host or a housemate, but the accommodation will not be shared with others. So, you will live in a property that closely resembles a traditional home, only with some extra modifications to make your life easier. Of course, this will be accompanied by the home care services of a host or housemate.

Private ILOs ensure that a package is truly built and tailored to your needs. It can be fully funded by NDIS accommodation help and lets you live the way that you see fit.

Shared SILs

Supported independent living (SIL) actually relates to the care provided, but usually comes in a shared accommodation setting. Group homes that have been designed for people living with disabilities provide accessibility and support independent living. They also give you the chance to enjoy social activities without losing access to private living quarters.

It is one of the most popular choices for using NDIS accommodation payments, not least because they are NDIS designed homes. Soteria can help you find the right property.

Specialist disability accommodation

SDA homes are designed specifically for individuals with advanced needs or extreme functional impairment are another choice covered by the NDIS scheme. They are usually shared properties with a small group of residents. They are designed with accessibility and safety in mind while the daily care is provided too. For eligible candidates, it is capable of changing the quality of life. Funds often cover the full costs.

Specialist disability accommodation is primarily used by high-end patients who will be at level 4 of the NDIS funding criteria.

Home Modifications

While most people living with disabilities find that moving into accommodation that was built with SDA design guidelines in mind, some may just require modifications to their current home. The NDIS scheme can cover the costs associated with making the property more accessible. This often means adding stairlifts, accessible bathtubs, wet rooms, outside amps, and safety features and communication tools.

However, it can extend to dropped kitchen countertops and wider halls for wheelchairs. When deemed the best option for the participant, the scheme can fund this solution.

Medium-Term Accommodation

Finding the perfect permanent NDIS accommodation may take some time. In the meantime, though, it is possible for NDIS funding to cover the costs of medium-term accommodation that you may live in for several weeks. The temporary accommodation will be more suitable than the property you currently live in, but may not be as good as the long-term NDIS housing solution that you eventually use.

Generally speaking, medium-term accommodation lasts for up to 90 days. In some circumstances, however, this duration may need to be extended.

Short-Term Accommodation

Short-term accommodation funding relates to monies used to pay for a short time away from your usual home. This may cover a period of up to 14 nights at a time and is regularly used for respite care, as well as when normal care teams are unavailable for a few days. The new carer fees may be included as well as the cost of staying in the accommodation.

Assistive Technologies 

ATs, or assistive technologies, aren’t only limited to the home and may extend to the workplace. In relation to your NDIS accommodation, though, it covers any tech product(s) required to help you use the home, reach your full potential, and live a better quality of life underpinned by greater levels of independence.

Who Can Use NDIS Accommodation Funding?

NDIS accommodation funding is available to eligible participants who meet at least one of the key criteria points, they are;

  • Living arrangements are no longer suitable for their disability needs.
  • Mobility issues make it hard to use bathroom or kitchen facilities in the current home.
  • Complex behaviour needs mean that dedicated NDIS accommodation is necessary.
  • Life quality would be significantly improved in alternative accommodation.
  • It is no longer possible for a patient currently in health care to return home.
  • Current living conditions are temporary, unsafe or unsuitable.

Thousands of people benefit from NDIS living arrangements, and NDIS accommodation funding makes it possible to be safer and enjoy a better quality of life.

Where Can NDIS Accommodation Funding Be Used?

NDIS is a national scheme that covers all of Australia. So, the funds can be used by eligible participants in any part of the country.

At Soteria, we work in multiple locations including;

  • New South Wales – Newcastle, Sydney, New South Coast, Wollongong.
  • Victoria – Melbourne, Geelong.
  • South Australia – Adelaide.
  • Tasmania – Devonport, Launceston, Hobart, Port Arthur.
  • West Australia – Perth.

How Are NDIS Accommodation Payments Made?

Payments made to cover NDIS accommodation costs are taken directly from an individual’s annual support fund. It can cover up to 100% of the accommodation fees but individuals need to know how much money they are entitled to.

This figure is decided by an NDIS assessment while the allocation of your funds can be self-managed, plan-managed, or NDIS-managed. The maximum amount that you can be awarded depends on the severity of your disability, which is separated into four levels.

To find out more about NDIS accommodation and how funding can open the door to a better future for yourself or a loved one living with disabilities, contact us today.