Your health and wellbeing are dependent on having a comfortable, clean and safe home. If you are struggling with the self management of tasks at home, then read on. This article will help you learn more about how you can access support at home through the NDIS.
About the NDIS
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) operates in every state in Australia. The intent of this program is to help people with a disability to live independently and to enable them to participate fully in community life.
About the NDIA
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has been established in Australia to help administer and oversee the NDIS. The NDIA can provide information and referral for people with disabilities, and may be helpful in the processes of:
- Seeking access to the NDIS
- Completing an application form
- Gathering the necessary information to identify a person and confirm their eligibility
- Establishing consent for record-keeping required under the scheme
An NDIA planner can facilitate your can access the NDIS, outline the guidelines and explain the NDIA in simple terms for all consumers.
Apply for the NDIS
To access the NDIS, you need to contact the NDIS Office or an NDIS partner. You can do this by phoning 1800 800 110. You can also complete the NDIS access request form online.
Your NDIS application needs to outline the nature of your diagnosis and disability. Part of the application process involves providing evidence about your disability and the support you require.
This can include a letter from health professionals, a GP, allied health or other medical professional who is involved in your care.
Your carers or a support person can be involved in the process and act as your advocate if required. For example, you may need a carer to speak on your behalf about your requirements.
Home help covered by the NDIS
The types of support that people with disabilities require varies greatly. Not all types of support can be funded by the NDIS.
Medical and allied health supports are often provided by state and territory governments. Other community agencies, such as local councils, also provide services like transport and social groups.
When you make an NDIS application and are provided with NDIS funding for home help, you will be involved in creating your own NDIS plan.
The plan also states the help you receive from family members, and any other community and disability supports are required.
Benefits of home help
There are many good reasons why an NDIS participant might want some help at home. The benefits of home help include:
- You are able to stay safely at home
- Your home will be kept clean and tidy, to the standard that you like
- Regular support reduces worry and enhances wellbeing
- Your risk of falls or injury when trying to clean will be reduced
- You will form great relationships with the staff who visit
- You can establish a routine
What types of home help are available?
There are several different types of home help services available through the NDIS, all of which can will be tailored to meet your specific needs.
Some common types of home help services are:
- Personal care: including help with tasks such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting.
- Domestic assistance: including help with tasks such as cleaning, laundry, and meal preparation.
- Social support: including companionship, assistance with community and social interaction, and transportation to appointments in the local area.
- Home nursing: including medical care such as wound care, medication management, and nursing care.
- Home maintenance and home modifications: including help with tasks such as gardening, home repairs, and modifications to the home to improve accessibility.
These services can be provided by a variety of providers, including government agencies, non-profit organisations, and private companies. The specific types of support services available in your area may vary depending on where you live and your individual needs.
Assistance with cleaning
Home help through the NDIS often involves setting up regular visits for assistance with cleaning. If you find cleaning tasks difficult, then you may be eligible for cleaning help. Regular cleaners will either assist you to clean, or will do the cleaning for you, depending on your requirements.
Having a neat, tidy and comfortable home is important. It can help you feel safe, organised and happy. Cleaners can complete a range of tasks such as:
- Sweeping
- Mopping
- Wiping surfaces
- Dusting
- Scrubbing the toilet and bathroom
Assistance with meals and cooking
The NDIS does not fund the cost of food or meal services. However, if your disability makes it difficult for you to shop or prepare food, then it is reasonable that you ask for some assistance in this category.
The best thing to do is to discuss your needs with your local area coordinator or carers. You may be able to have some assistance with the delivery of pre-prepared ingredients or preparing meals that you can heat up during the week.
Assistance with gardening and home maintenance
Depending on where and who you live with, you may also sometimes require help to keep your outdoor living areas or gardens under control. Gardening services can be provided through the NDIS.
You can also request help with home maintenance tasks, for example:
- Cleaning the gutter
- Installing grabs rails
- Changing locks
- Changing smoke alarm batteries
How much does NDIS home care cost?
The NDIS has applied price regulations for all of the activities covered under the scheme. This is to help ensure that NDIS participants receive good value for money to obtain the support required.
Registered NDIS providers are bound by upper price limits that can be charged for the delivery of services on a participant’s plan.
What funding is available for home help?
The NDIS provides funding to eligible participants to complete household tasks such as cooking, cleaning and laundry. The amount of funding that can be provided is discussed at an NDIS assessment meeting.
Funds allocated towards home help are included in a participant’s NDIS plan. The total amount of funding for home help varies from person to person, and is dependent on needs and goals.
Using NDIS funding for home help
The funding allocated to you through your NDIS plan is yours to use in a way that suits you. However, you are required to use your funding towards the services that have been deemed necessary and reasonable within your NIDS plan.
Setting up help at home
Once you have home help approved on your NDIS plan, then contact Nursed Care to discuss your needs and priorities. We will meet with you, to learn more about your preferences and how we can support you best.
We can discuss the frequency of home help visits, and you can explain what tasks you would like carried out. If you want to be involved in carrying out the domestic tasks- just let us know! Our workers can supervise and guide you, helping build your skills and confidence as you go.
Assistance with daily life
There are a range of services that the NDIS classify as relating to assistance with daily life. Tasks such as personal care, domestic assistance and yard maintenance are considered to be daily activities. These tasks are categories under the Core Supports budget.
The Core Supports budget is set up to provide you with assistance for everyday activities, and to help you work towards your personal goals.
Aside from assistance with daily life, the Core Supports budget can also be used for:
- Consumables
- Assistance with social and community participation
- Transport
Can I get help at home?
Whether or not you are eligible to receive help at home depends on your individual circumstances, such as your age, health status, and living situation. If you are an older adult, have a disability, or are recovering from an illness or injury, you may be eligible to receive home help services.
In most cases, before home help can be arranged, you will need to complete an assessment of some sort. The assessment will take into account your needs and circumstances and determine what types of home help services you are eligible for.
It’s important to note that while some home help services may be provided free of charge, others may require you to pay a fee based on your income and ability to pay.
What NDIS category is home help?
Home help is classified as a core support.
Capital support is used for technologies and equipment, while capacity building is used to fund activities that build independence, skills and confidence.
Home help with Nursed Care
Our home help services are available to give you the support you require to be able to live as independently as possible.
We are here to enable you to maintain the lifestyle you choose. We will be available for you when you need help, and let you direct how the services are provided. It’s your life and we are here to provide you with help your way!
Frequently asked questions
Access to funding is only available for some expenses. NDIS participants are responsible for day-to-day living costs including rent, groceries, utilities, telephone or internet costs.
This is the same for general household items such as a bed, fridge or cooking utensils. There are some limited circumstances where the NDIS may be able to assist with these costs.
In Australia, eligibility for home help services varies depending on the state or territory you live in. Typically, older adults, people with disabilities, and those who are recovering from an illness or injury may be eligible for home help services.
Eligibility is usually determined through an assessment conducted by a healthcare professional or a government agency.
The assessment takes into account factors such as the individual’s health status, living situation, and ability to perform daily tasks independently.
The My Aged Care scheme provides support services to people aged over 65. An older person with a disability may be eligible for services through My Aged Care, or may continue to be funded through the NDIS. Read this blog for more information. Older people living in residential aged care are not typically able to access support through the NDIS.
Children can receive support through the NDIS. This year it has been reported that 8% of children are part of the scheme.
Families with a child aged younger than nine years are encouraged to contact an early childhood partner before applying for the NDIS. A heath professional or worker from a community organisation may make the initial application on behalf of the family.
A child younger than six with a developmental delay may be eligible for the NDIS under the early intervention requirements.
Nursed Care is an NDIS approved and registered NDIS provider- just look for the NDIS logo in the footer of our website! Our organisation is here to assist you maximise your NDIS home benefits by providing a full range of services. We can even assist you progress your NIDIS application, help you complete your access request and support you through the evidence gathering process.
Contact Nursed Care on 02 8488 8955 or ring the NDIS direct on 1800 800 110 to get your NDIS application underway today.
