Applying for an NDIS plan can not only be a time-consuming process but a thought consuming one as well. Which means, you may have not yet considered how you can implement your NDIS plan if it is approved, and who can help you to make the most of it.
Get to know your plan
The first thing to do if you’ve been approved for an NDIS plan, is to read through it carefully to ensure you understand the support that is being provided.
An NDIS plan is divided into three sections:
About Me
My Goals
My Supports
In ‘About Me’, information that was provided in your planning meeting about where you live, the people who support you and what your daily life looks like will be listed.
The next section, ‘My Goals’, will list all the short and long-term goals you discussed during your planning meeting that you want to work towards over the next 12 months of your plan and beyond.
‘My Supports’ details your informal supports (e.g. family and friends), any mainstream supports you may have (e.g. doctors), and the funded supports that the NDIS can cover. These supports are divided into three categories: Core, Capital, and Capacity Building Supports.
Core Supports help with everyday activities and community access.
Capital Supports fund Assistive Technology (AT) and/or Home Modifications.
Capacity Building Supports help to build skills and independence in daily life, and help you pursue your goals. Plan Management support is allocated under this support category under Improved Life Choices.
If you need assistance to understand your NDIS plan, you can speak with your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or your, Support Coordinator, Early Childhood Partner or Plan Manager if these have been funded in the plan.
What if you’re unhappy with your plan?
When you’ve reviewed your NDIS plan in detail, you should have a better understanding of the funding that has been allocated to you and how you can use that to support your goals.
If your circumstances have changed or you are unhappy with your NDIS plan, you can request for this to be reviewed. The cover letter approving your NDIS plan has information about what to do in the case of a change of circumstances or if you would like your plan decision reviewed, as well as how to contact the NDIS to request a review.
Managing your plan online
As plan managers, we manage all the processing and invoice claims for you, which means you won’t have to worry about paying the service providers who support you.
However, it’s still a good idea to link your myGov account with the NDIS myplace portal. To connect the two platforms, you’ll need to go to the myGov website with your username and password or create a new account if you don’t already have one. Once you’ve logged in to myGov, you can link your myGov account with your NDIS participant profile in the myplace portal.
Once they have been linked you’ll be able to access your NDIS plan securely on the myplace portal by using the activations code in your approval cover letter. Having access to your NDIS plan in myplace can provide you with extra details about your plan that weren’t included in the copy you received in the mail.
Implementing your plan
When it comes to implementing your plan, there are plenty of people who can help you to make informed decisions to assist you in making the most your plan funding. You can speak with your LAC, Support Coordinator (if included in plan), Early Childhood Partner (if plan is for a child under seven), or your Plan Manager (if included in plan).
Your LAC, Support Coordinator or Early Childhood Partner can help you to understand your plan and to connect you with service providers that can provide you with the support you need to achieve your goals.
A Plan Manager manages financial aspects of your plan by processing and claiming invoices on behalf. If you choose First2Care as your Plan Manager, we can help you to understand your NDIS plan, funding and budgets, and work with you to ensure you have the right team in place to make the most of your funding.
Connect with service providers
When you have an understanding of your NDIS plan and how you can implement it, you can connect with the relevant service providers to deliver the supports you need to achieve your goals.
Where to find service providers:
Speak with your Support Coordinator or Early Childhood Partner (as mentioned above)
Review the NDIS myplace portal for a list of service providers (NDIS registered only)
Ask for recommendations from people you know
Attend disability-focused events
Join Facebook groups and other online groups
Search through provider finder platforms (e.g. Clickability)
Search online
If you have any questions about your plan, how to manage it, what to do next or anything else NDIS related that you have questions about, you can speak with our First2Care Support Team or Case Managers, your Support Coordinator or Early Childhood Partner, or your LAC.
Read more about the benefits of working with an independent, professional Plan Manager. Alternatively, contact our friendly team on 1300 322 273 or support@first2care.com.au.