What to do if your plan isn’t funded well enough

The NDIS is a means to support people with disabilities and requires that you tick all the boxes and requirements to become a participant or to affect reviews as a beneficiary.

Getting through the application stage is a phase; it can become unsatisfying when the funds received do not adequately cater to your needs or when there is a deficit due to new circumstances.

However, you can find a way around your inadequate NDIS plan. We have outlined the step-by-step guides below, including how to go about the funding process.

Eight steps to take if your NDIS plan isn’t funded well enough

Evaluate your plan

In instances of inadequate NDIS funding, evaluating your plan is essential — that is, understanding how it works, the process and the result. Additionally, you may want to point out the deficit, whether it is consistent or due to an abrupt change in current needs.

The National Disability Insurance Agency evaluates various criteria specific to the support provided to different individuals, based on both short- and long-term goals. Therefore, it is essential to understand where inadequate funding applies. Furthermore, going through the accurate records of expenses could help determine what steps to take. This helps to verify if you used allocated funds faster than expected.

Consult a professional

Consulting professionals who understand the NDIS is helpful when your funding is insufficient. It helps to further clarify issues on the balance between your budget and funds.

NDIS support providers or disability advocacy groups with experience in the basics can provide guidance on how to approach the NDIS.

This works best when you can’t spot the grey areas in your plan but see the need for modifications. Professionals can help you in challenging funding decisions and help you understand your rights with various available options.

Meet your support coordinator or LAC

Your support coordinator or LAC understands your NDIS plan and the range of funds you can receive from the NDIS. You can seek a consultation if professional advice is not enough.

Besides explaining the NDIS decision for fund allocations, they can help clarify how to effectively use your funds or fix inadequacies, such as identifying funding gaps or lapses. They can also help resolve any matters you may be currently dissatisfied with.

With the help of professional advice and your LAC, you become equipped to make your next decision if you feel your plan is not suited to meet your current and future needs.

Gather supporting evidence

After you have met with your LAC, you should request a review later on if you’re dissatisfied with the funding process, along with gathering supporting evidence to act on a review.

Beyond using it to establish your review, it strengthens any attempts you make to appeal the decision. However, this evidence must be relevant to your case, circumstances and future needs.

These could include evidence and information about your allocation and spending process, such as reports from healthcare professionals, including physiotherapists, occupational therapists and others, to highlight any gaps in your care.

You will also provide a personal statement, stating that your plan did not meet your requirements and why your review needs to address any emerging or changing circumstances.

Request a plan review or reassessment

Requesting a plan review or reassessment helps address funding issues and justifies why the current amount is insufficient, whether due to misalignment with current needs or changes in your living conditions.

The request form is obtainable on the NDIS website for an internal review of inadequate funding within 90 days of receiving your plan. However, for unplanned circumstances, you can opt for a plan reassessment.

Your plan review and reassessment will also involve compiling the necessary information and evidence or reports to support your submission.

Utilise current funds

You can manage your received funds during the review period — access your earnings and spending. Additionally, assess whether your insufficient funding is due to a spending deficit that could be addressed with future funds.

The NDIA is responsible for going through review or reassessment applications and has a timeline for going through requests.

Often, it may take 60 days to complete the review after your request and 21 days for reassessment to consider if it is reasonable and necessary.

It, however, does not stop you from utilising the funds available to you during the decision period, whether from the NDIA or other sources where you receive funds.

During this period, you can make accurate records of your spending for additional support. On the NDIS portal, you can track your budget and await further decisions from where you submitted the review. 

Explore an alternative review

If you believe your case has not been addressed well, you can explore other options.

You can inform the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission to investigate issues or seek the support of advocacy organisations to navigate the review process and properly handle your complaints.

Explore alternative funding

You can explore alternative funding processes if you can’t obtain additional funding after you have gone through the NDIS review process.

If you receive support through the NDIS and feel it does not adequately address a significant disability you have, you will need ongoing funding to achieve your current and future goals.

One way to explore additional support is through other service providers that assist with the NDIS. This option may provide extra funding, although it could be at a lower rate. However, these flexible services can accommodate your everyday needs and complement your current funding.

Conclusion

Inadequate funding from the NDIS could hinder your short- and long-term goals, daily routine and care.

You can always review and reassess your funding plan if it falls short of your needs. Be sure to inform your NDIS plan manager or local area coordinator, as they can help address any challenges you may face.

If you’re unable to improve your funding plan, consider exploring other options. These alternatives can provide additional support to help you adequately cover your care, regardless of whether they are approved after submission.

You can also look up the NDIS page to raise a complaint or feedback on your review process.