Core Supports are one of the three NDIS support budgets that can be funded in your NDIS plan. This support budget provides funding for day-to-day tasks associated with the goals outlined in your plan. And even though your Core Supports are flexible, meaning that funding can be moved between the support categories that make up Core Supports – Assistance with Daily Living, Transport, Consumables, and Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation - it is important to understand what each of these categories are for and how you can use your NDIS plan flexibility to make the most of your funding.
Assistance with Daily Living
Assistance with Daily Living is designed to assist you with daily tasks. This may include:
Meal preparation
Personal care
House cleaning or gardening maintenance
Assistance with laundry
Access to alternative living arrangements
Short and medium-term accommodation and assistance
Assistance with daily life tasks
Support Coordination assistance to help you use your plan as it was intended and to connect you with supports
Nursing care to help with disability-related health needs
Note: In your NDIS plan this category is listed as Assistance with Daily Living, but on the NDIS online portal – myplace – it is listed as ‘Daily Activities’.
Transport
Transport funding can help cover the cost of expenses associated with any disability related transport needs. This may include:
Taxi expenses if you are unable to access public transport
Specialised transport services to travel to and from school, TAFE, university or other education-focused facilities, employment, or within your community
Consumables
Consumables cover everyday items and low-risk and low-cost items, such as:
Products related to your disability
Interpreting and translation support
AUSLAN or Signed English Training
Low-cost assistive technology for personal care and safety
Low-cost and minor repairs to assistive technology
Low-cost assistive technology for prosthetics and orthotics
Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation
Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation provides funding to cover the cost of participating in your community. Including access to:
Community, social or recreational activities
Individualised (one-to-one) support to assist with a social event or outing, hobby class like music, drama or art, holiday, or camp
Help attending community events
Transport to and from activities
Support to maintain your employment
Note: In your NDIS plan this category is listed as Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation, but on the NDIS online portal – myplace – it is listed as ‘Social, community and civic participation’.
How to make the most of your Core Supports
One of the best ways to make the most of your Core Supports is to think creatively about how your Core Supports could work for you. This is especially important as Core Supports is the budget category that participants will most likely be funded for in their NDIS plan. Take the time to figure out what you want and need from your funding, discuss it with your Support Coordinator and your Plan Manager, ensure you are getting the best price, and make a plan for your budget. By doing this you are less likely to overspend or underspend on your funding and you can make sure that your NDIS plan is working to support you.
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.