The NDIS scheme of the Australian government offers all participants who wish to live independently but require physical or equipment support with residential and short-term accommodation facilities. Often, NDIS participants & their families, guardians, and caregivers have concerns about the short-term accommodation facilities and how they work.
Here we address some of the most frequently asked questions about short-term accommodation facilities in Melbourne for NDIS participants.
What is Short-Term Accommodation?
The NDIS scheme provides funds to all participants for short-term accommodation that allows them to spend a short while away from their homes. This facility gives the participants and their caregivers, families or guardians a much-needed break from the monotony of their daily life and a chance to enjoy a change in scenery.
You might opt for this facility when your informal support network is unavailable, or you need a place to stay while learning new things. In such cases, your NDIS plan covers your accommodations & other necessary support for up to 14 days at a time.
In Melbourne, several NDIS service providers offer participants with short-term accommodation facilities.
What Services to Expect in Short-Term Accommodation Facilities?
Although the name only suggests accommodation, it involves other services that provide you with the necessary support during your stay there. In other words, when you are opting for short term accommodation in Melbourne, your NDIS service provider also assists you with:
- Accommodation
- Food
- Personal care
- Any other service or activity that you and your provider agree to
Depending on your needs, some of the services you can expect from your provider are day trips, art therapy sessions, and community, and skill development activities.
How to Opt for Short-Term Assistance?
The short-term accommodation falls under the NDIS Core Support Category: Assistance with Daily Living. The NDIS determines whether it is necessary and reasonable for you to opt for short-term accommodation facilities based on several factors. Depending on these factors, the NDIS also decides the funding you might get, according to your existing plans.
Some of the factors that are taken into consideration by the NDIS, in this case, are:
- The level of support you need in your daily life.
- Your living conditions.
- The informal support you have at home.
- Your goals.
Some of the instances that make you eligible for opting the short-term assistance are listed below:
-
Respite Care
The NDIS makes provisions for participants with high support needs to opt for a short break. It allows their informal support provider (family or guardian) to take a break (i.e., respite). Therefore, helping in making the informal support network sustainable.
-
Community Participation
In the cases of young participants, who could benefit from attending activities such as school trips and holiday camps, the NDIS makes provisions for short-term assistance facilities. This also helps their informal support provider to take care of their work engagements during that period.
-
Building Independence
The NDIS also assists participants in spending time away from their regular support system and building their independence. During this period, the participant can work on learning skills in a new environment.
Despite your reasons for availing of the assistance, you will find several reliable NDIS service providers in Melbourne who make your (or your loved ones) short-term accommodation comfortable and enriching.
What is the Duration of a Short-Term Accommodation Facility?
Usually, the NDIS has made provisions for a participant to avail of twenty-eight days of short-term accommodations in a year. However, the funding system is very flexible, and you can opt to avail of it all at once or in parts, depending on your convenience and needs.
Based on your needs, the NDIS has also made provisions for other support services such as medium-term accommodation. You can consult your NDIS service provider in Melbourne for more information about medium-term and short-term accommodation facilities.
How to Avail the Funding for Short Term accommodation in Melbourne?
The NDIS Price Guide has outlined the standard rates for short-term assistance plans. Generally, the funding is for a group price. In other words, you may have to share the support services with other NDIS participants. However, you can also opt for individual services depending on your needs.
You can avail funding for NDIS short-term accommodations by discussing its needs with your NDIA planner at a review or plan meeting session. At this meeting, you must clearly outline why you need this facility and how it will help you to enhance your skills or achieve your goals.
Under normal circumstances, the NDIS requires a lot of proof before sanctioning funds for short-term accommodation. Some documents that are acceptable as evidence are a report from your therapist stating your need for such accommodations or a letter from your informal support provider explaining their role and how such a stay can benefit both you and your caregiver. You can also state how staying in a short-term accommodation can help you achieve your goals, such as living independently or participating in community activities.
Find Reliable Short-Term Accommodation Providers in Melbourne
Several NDIS service providers in Melbourne specialise in providing short-term accommodation facilities to participants. You can find out more about these services from the NDIS website. You can also consult a service provider to understand the services they offer.
Also Find : https://www.doodlefolks.com/how-to-find-the-right-plan-manager/
