The NDIA’s new PACE system has begun rolling out nationwide, with thousands of participants now transitioned to the platform. In most cases, the change has no impact on the day-to-day plan utilisation, but some key changes can result in confusion or difficulty.
The creation of the Home and Living category of funding means that Supported Independent Living (SIL) is now no longer part of flexible core. This means that unless Home and Living is included in the participant’s plan, SIL cannot be paid. In this way, SIL is more akin to a standalone budget for capacity building than Core in the traditional sense that it has been known.
Making sure the claim is correct
The support items on page 45 of the current Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits should only be used for SIL, so it is important to know the difference between SIL and regular support work. The NDIS have some great provider resources on this: Supported independent living provider guidance | NDIS
Make sure that the participant has Home and Living funding in their plan. We recommend establishing a service agreement (Service Agreements... Are they worth it?) and working with the participants, their support coordinator, and plan manager to ensure that the agreement aligns with the plan.
Keep in mind that all new plans (not auto-extended plans) are likely to be on the PACE system. If a participant is living in SIL and their plan is approaching its end date, be sure to support participants and their support coordinators to specifically ensure that Home and Living is included in the new plan.
If Home and Living funding has not been included, but a participant is in SIL, or about to move into SIL, the plan may have been built incorrectly. Supporting participants to submit a plan variation request to correct the plan is required in this situation.