Anyone started with the NDIS?

Missed my morning forum session today as I was getting ready for the meeting with a Coordinator of Supports recommended by NDIS - it went well and she's coming back with a plan of supports and options for support workers on Tuesday. She will also help me get onto myGov and the my place NDIS portal then. So a lot of my anxiety can just diminish or find somewhere else to park now I hope. Feeling a bit better already.

Hi @eth my plan will be managed by the agency (as I am not confident of self management as I am terrible with budgeting). I am still waiting for my plan to come through with a final figure though.

Hi @Queenie I hope being agency managed works well for you and that your plan comes through soon. The time it takes seems to vary widely. Mine came through only 3 days after my planning meeting (but that may have been because the AAT was involved which I hope no-one else here has to take it to that level). If you've been waiting more than a couple of weeks I'd suggest starting to phone them weekly to chase it up, and of course always keep notes about when you speak to them.

The reason I chose 'plan managed' (by an external organisation) is that it's said to allow a greater range of choice about service providers. But at the same time someone else will take care of invoices, budget and so on. I'd not be capable of all that either. I'm meeting the plan manager for the first time today. I contacted some others and wanted to shop around a bit but the only other one that got back to me said they weren't taking on new people and recommended the one I am going to see today. As I was already in contact with her it seemed like confirmation that she's good at what she does. We'll see - it's a combination of how professional she seems and going with gut instinct. I don't know any other NDIS participants so haven't been able to get any peer word of mouth about reputation.

The meeting with the plan manager went well and I made my first 'Service Agreement' with her - a contract stating what she wil do and so on. Which is to receive and pay all invoices for services I receive. She has access to my NDIS funds. I'm a bit nervous as I will also need to keep track of what supports I've had and what's left in the budget when things are paid. Hopefully it will be as easy as she says. There's a participant portal on her website that shows it all and she set that up for me while she was here.

@Mazarita @CheerBear @Queenie @Bunniekins @Twinklelight and anyone else still following here.

2nd meeting with coordinator of supports this morning. Went pretty well except she said her organisation's support workers are fully booked. Successfully set up the myplace (NDIS) portal on the mygov website. Sorted out some of the financial details and saw what the plan manager is charging me. Also confirmed that my transport allowance will be backpaid to the start of my plan. She's (the CoS) dropping off the service agreement and consent form tomorrow morning for me to sign. Hopefully she'll help me find other support workers - after all that is what she's being paid for.

Just found out I've been taken off my current PHaMs worker's roster - with no notice to me at all or explanation to her. Hopefully sil will have time to ring her boss for me today to sort it out. She would usually come tomorrow afternoon but now I don't know what's happening.

Well the CoS couldn't come with the service agreement and hasn't rescheduled with me yet. And my PHaMs support has been cancelled for good.

So I'm in a limbo zone with no supports except family.

Hey @eth, I feel what you are going through being in limbo at present. I am in a similar boat with the cancellation of PHaMS for myself too. I received my plan two days ago (but was effective from the 1 August). I have a package totally just over $40K with the largest chunk going towards community engagement and access. It is a little strange, as it isn't what I asked for at all. I request a large chunk for respite services and therapy. I was given anything for respite (so I am not to receive it at all which means if I have a setback I am to be hospitalised, even if it is against my will). I only received a small chunk of around $5K for therapy (but it is better than nothing) and funds for plan management (which is odd because I requested to be managed by the NDIA).

I am now totally in confusion what to do next. I got told to wait until my meeting with the LAC (whenever that will be?). In the meantime I am undertaking my own consultations with organisations which I am interested in being involved with. I have meetings set up here there and everywhere LOL.

Sounds like fantastic news overall @Queenie I'm happy for you. It's a shame about the respite not being funded - I've heard they are really difficult about that. Maybe you can use some of your community participation funding for an overnight support worker?? Has NDIS told you who the LAC is? Maybe you can get their number and get an appointment soon rather than wait for them. Mine rang me with the details of the plan and which funds can be used for what 3 days after the planning meeting but I haven't heard from her since. NDIS then referred me to a coordinator of supports - did you get funds for one of them too?

The other thing I had to do was get set up on the NDIS myplace portal on the MyGov website. I've done that with help from the CoS. I've only had a brief look at it but apparently you can see your full plan, what has been paid by your plan manager, and what remains in your budget. You can also select who you want to be able to see your full plan.

Sounds like you're on the right track with researching supports available, if you do have a coordinator of supports (CoS) they should help you with that too.

Wishing you well and for things to become clear as soon as possible.

I'm pretty confused too but am planning to set up a profile with HireUp over the weekend (with help from my sister in law (sil). Support workers also have profiles on there and you can book who you want. It's said to work out cheaper than going with SWs employed by larger organisations. It's worth checking out I think.

The other side of all this is working out what activities I want to do and when. But it's another chicken/egg thing coz it depends when the support workers are available.

Hang in there - I know that so much change can be scary, it is for me. Hoping we can give each other tips as things develop with putting out plans into action.

In my area the LAC is run through a carers organisation. I might give them a call next week and get the ball rolling.

Thanks for all your advice @eth. You are certainly trailblazing for the rest of us so thanks. 🙂

I had a big cry after an anxiety attack about all this stuff today. I need to learn to be proactive more and advocate for myself. Sil was doing a lot of that for me but has now gone back to work. She does help me know what has to be done, but is trying to get me to do more for myself. Just another scary part of all the change that is overwhelming me. I feel like I'm in at the deep end, waving my arm for help.