Q&A Info Session // How to support a loved one through the NDIS // Mon 14- Fri 18 Aug

It's a shame if carers are not supported by the NDIS. In the Policy Document, the type of support listed is often "a person to help or assist or accompany or supervise..." which is exactly what many carers do each and every day.

I live with bipolar 1 but have decided not to apply for the NDIS at this stage, mainly because of the stories I am hearing about the low rate of approval and the difficulty of proving disability for mental health. From the information I have gathered so far, it appears to me that the application process itself is somewhat traumatic for anyone with a mental illness to go through, and difficult for carers too. For anyone applying, it seems like it would be a good idea to mentally prepare for this difficulty, and for the possibility of disappointment in the first instance, and possible need to apply for a review of the decision. While deferring my decision to apply, I'm here to read more about other's experience of the process for possible future reference. Thanks to everyone for their contributions so far.

@patientpatient

There is a really great video that help give more understanding to the words psychosocial disability - which is what the NDIS defines as significant and complex mental illness. Its really is about how impactful a condition is on a persons life. You may live with anxiety, but still work, go out with friends, and live your life with only some impacts. Where as other people have anxiety and this means that they cant function enough to do everyday things like shopping cooking etc.

This means that the NDIS is not excluding diagnoses, but looking at how significant the condition impacts on your life.

Here is the link to the video you and others may find useful about this.

https://reimagine.today/step-1/what-does-psychosocial-disability-mean-to-you/

Psychosocial disability is absolutely in the NDIS. There are support workers who might help with daily tasks, people who assist with getting out in the community or doing activities, people who assist with coordinating all the supports in your life.

While the NDIS doesn't directly support carers, the ideal is that with additional supports in the participants life, the carer will have some lessening of the amount of coordination and support they do. This does not mean that there will be no carers supports at all, but they will be funded by other sources just not by the NDIS.

Hope this helps,

@Kateeg84

Thanks for sharing your experiences. Yes it is sometimes having to collect all the medical evidence, particularly if you have a few conditions or have seen multiple professionals.

There is a form called the Access Request Form that you receive once you initiate the access process to start connecting with the NDIS (after it rolls out in each area click here for more info) This helps with the types of information required.

However, there isn't one specific form as everyone is so different, and their conditions and treatment are different. Each person needs some tailored info. These can be recent existing reports/assessments.

The good thing is this evidence only needs to be given the once, and unless there are dramatic changes to a new or exsisting condition, the reviews are based on how you are going with your plan - not reevaluating your medical history each time.

@Dave1977 @Former-Member

Dave has given some good examples

CORE – A support that enables a participant to complete activities of daily living and enables them to work towards their goals and meet their objectives.

This might be a support worker to assist with shopping, cooking, cleaning, or an OT assessment for your home, or some incontinence pads if you need them

CAPITAL – An investment, such as assistive technologies, equipment and home or vehicle modifications, funding for capital costs (e.g. to pay for Specialist Disability Accommodation).

This might be a wheelchair and maintenance yearly for it. Or a walker, or modifying your vehicle if you need to drive and you have a physical disability.

CAPACITY BUILDING - A support that enables a participant to build their independence and skills

This might be a support worker to help you access a group, or the library or feel more confident to go back to study or work.

All of these are EXAMPLES. Its not only what you can get, or you may need something different. That's the beauty of the NDIS, these things are tailored to your needs and goals.

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@Kateeg84 wrote:
Hello and thank you for doing this thread. I know a little about the ndis and the mental health side of things as I started a Facebook group for consumers alone. I can tell you I myself have experienced a lot of difficulties with the application process as whole. The main concern that I myself and many others is the requested information that the ndis ask for. Many of us including myself can be asked to request further information more then once from more than one professional and even after all that get denied access. What I would like to know is if there is something definite a report or assessment from a particular professional that will be accepted by the ndis. If we know exactly what we need to apply from the very beginning then that would make things far less confusing

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@Kateeg84

I have made a few comments further up about evidence, but this may also help everyone too

https://reimagine.today/step-4/tips-for-gathering-information-about-functional-impacts/

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@Mazarita wrote:

I live with bipolar 1 but have decided not to apply for the NDIS at this stage, mainly because of the stories I am hearing about the low rate of approval and the difficulty of proving disability for mental health. From the information I have gathered so far, it appears to me that the application process itself is somewhat traumatic for anyone with a mental illness to go through, and difficult for carers too. For anyone applying, it seems like it would be a good idea to mentally prepare for this difficulty, and for the possibility of disappointment in the first instance, and possible need to apply for a review of the decision. While deferring my decision to apply, I'm here to read more about other's experience of the process for possible future reference. Thanks to everyone for their contributions so far.

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@Mazarita

That's your choice! You also give good advice. The NDIS is now going to be ongoing, and you can always choose to apply or not in to the future too.

It's important for others to remember that if they are getting supports already, that to continue these supports they needs to go through this process of access and planning. People getting PHaMs and PIR for example need to do this for their existing supports to continue.

Hey @Former-Member

I've gone back to the NDIA with that question, as it's an interesting one. Will let you know as soon as I do.

Cheers,