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NDIS funding

BowSenior Contributor17 June 2023, 4:38 pm AEST

NDIS funding

Dare I start another thread about NDIS?!

when I was in at community mental health on Thursday, the clinician that I was speaking with bought NDIS up. I’ve never really thought about it, but she said that they have clients applying for it all the time and was basically encouraging me to apply. Community MH called today just to check in and the clinician (different from Thursday)bought it as she had read the notes from Thursday and she encouraged me to talk with my case manager about during the week.

wondering if others have applied for it solely with a mental health diagnosis?

and what kind of services have you engaged with with your funding?

5 replies

1 - 5 of 5

In response to: NDIS funding

ArraDreamingSenior Contributor17 June 2023, 6:03 pm AEST

Re: NDIS funding

from all accounts I have heard the ndis is garbage and hard to get into

In response to: Re: NDIS funding

JynxModerator17 June 2023, 6:27 pm AEST

Re: NDIS funding

@ArraDreaming @Bow I've certainly heard some not-so-great accounts of NDIS - especially the application process. I think because it's so arduous. For some, the biggest barrier is having enough money in order to see the various MH & medical professionals you need to sign off on letters of support in order to get funding in the first place, I mean sort of feels like a catch-22 you know? And also, if your application is denied, there's a certain amount of time I think you have to wait until you can appeal the decision. So that can be a big pain, and a pretty exhausting process. I think the way to go is to take your time with putting the application together, and get as much evidence as you can. There's advocacy services around that can help guide the process too I think, to make sure you're submitting exactly what is needed. I found this one you could have a look into, and it's free 😉

Once you do get funding, I've heard it can be incredibly beneficial. I guess like with anything though, it's about sifting through the various support services available until you find the right ones - like ensuring you have support workers you feel safe and comfortable with for instance. Sure there's horror stories out there of support workers or NDIS organisations that just take advantage of their clients, but I mean there's horror stories no matter where you go. Like if the alternative is to have to find a part-time job, you would still have to sift through to find a place that is supportive and flexible to cater to your needs.

NDIS does cater to what they term 'psychosocial disability' - which includes things like complex/chronic menal health conditions. So I reckon if you've got the support of your CMH team, case manager, and GP behind you, as well as any other professionals you see regularly, you have a pretty good chance of getting funding - and that could potentially be life changing 😊💜

In response to: Re: NDIS funding

DogMan79Senior Contributor20 June 2023, 11:48 pm AEST

Re: NDIS funding

The NDIS signed me up, without my consent. Via a family member in 2018

I opted out

They are very much NOT trauma informed

My psychologist recently suggested that they might fund our sessions. I sent some emails, and decided against it

Too many strings attached. So I signed up for private health insurance. There is less obligation. And I maintain the freedom to be mediocre

In response to: NDIS funding

outlanderSenior Contributor21 June 2023, 1:01 am AEST

Re: NDIS funding

hi @Bow
as someone who works closely with those in ndis including helping those to apply for NDIS.

if you feel you have the support of your case manager, gp and specialists then it is possible to be accepted. the process can be tricky so i would encourage you to find someone who is familiar with the ndis application process and how to question the decision if its denied.

you need to have reports from your psychologist, psychiatrist, case manager, and those within your support team stating your diagnosis, your needs, struggles, and how youd benefit from the ndis.

the services you can access will depend on your level of funding but some services can include social supports like having support workers come to the house, assistance with daily living like housework and gardening, allied services such as physio, psychology, podiatry, assistive technology such as tablets and learning devices and mobility aids transportation services, other forms of aids like if your struggling to hold regular handles on forks spoons or handles on cups you can access specialized equiptive services like larger handles on cups and utensils, meal services as well similar to meals on wheels or support workers who can help you make batches of meals up to reheat through the week etc

In response to: NDIS funding

JanehCasual Contributor27 July 2023, 5:04 pm AEST

Re: NDIS funding

I am on the NDIS, it is definitely a benefit to always deal with them with someone else in your corner. Get a coordinator, advocate, therapist or the stone cold bech in the neighbourhood to sit in on any calls you have with them. Also can be handy to record your calls. Never deal with them one on one.

That said, I've managed to get a couple of great support workers, after two years of hit and miss... They fund my psychology sessions weekly which has been incredibly helpful. Formerly it was Better Access once a month or so which is next to pointless.

Make sure you have a good GP, your regular doctor can do a lot to help if they are sympathetic and switched on regarding MH issues in Australia and the utter catastrophe that is the MH system.

It's stressful either way. Best of luck with it.

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