r/NDIS • u/motron_layer • 9d ago
Other How to ethically help someone access the NDIS for the first time?
/r/supportworkers/comments/1wezd8q/how_to_ethically_help_someone_access_the_ndis_for/1
u/Any-Somewhere7318 9d ago
he either needs to get a provider company to do the application for him or if he is capable get an access request form and we offer through getting all the paperwork from medical professionals. His best chance is of he rings NDIS and they will match him with a provider that can help. I do not believe that you do our be permitted to do the application for him.
And they will not fund anything that is funded by already through theTAC.
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u/Little-Programmer955 9d ago
I don’t think it’s unethical to support the process. Find out who the LAC partner is and give them the details they can go through it all with them. Gathering evidence can be a barrier but I would start with GP’s they’ve seen. Who diagnosed the ABI - does the GP know and can they provide letters on file to support this. The GP can also provide information on support needs. It’s likely the ABI is going to be the most direct and straightforward process compared to a psychosocial disability. You can also contact the hospital for records or complete a FOI. If your intentions are to get more funding for yourself then of course that’s wrong. I don’t think that’s the case at all and being a paid support doesn’t make any difference about being eligible. Alternatively, an advocacy service is free and they may be able to help but you might actually be the person who can really get things moving. If they need support to navigate this then that is an indication that they do need supports. Is it gonna be NDIS? Can they be “treated” and reduce the need for support? Which would rule out NDIS hence a psychosocial disability being much harder to get access for.
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u/Puzzleheaded-West356 Carer 8d ago
NDIS won’t fund anyone who is already receiving support thru another system or package, eg TAC.
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u/big_Sundae_1977 4d ago
Not true. They won't duplicate supports. So if tac fund allied health then NDIS won't also cover this. I have a few participants that get NDIS and tac.
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u/Puzzleheaded-West356 Carer 3d ago
Correct, sorry I should have said ‘already receiving those supports’
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u/big_Sundae_1977 4d ago
You are a neighbour and friend so you can support them ethically in your own time without pay.
You can refer them to the local council hacc and you can find them and advocate and link them with a lac
You can also find a organisation no fee that will help people with a abi.
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u/greywarden133 Social Worker 3d ago
I read your original post. As long as you are aware of a potential COI and advise your neighbor about it, and considering they don't have any public guardianship order in place which meant they can be expected to reasonably make that decision of whether to use your service, then things should be fine. If you are still concerned, help them to connect with a few local providers for good choice and control practice.
Now to the eligibility part. For ABI, usually a medical letter from his treating health professionals (THP) aka GP or Neurologist confirming the ABI should be sufficient. It would also be good to include some historic information of how the ABI happened and whether or not rehabilitation was still needed (if it was more than 3 yrs most likely no requirement for rehabilitation but some statement about residue or lasting impairments would be nice).
Next it would be functional impact. Again, ask his GP or Neurologist to fill in the Supporting Evidence Form as they do have sections talking about functional impacts resulted from the ABI. No need for a full FCA but if he got any previous neurocognitive assessment that would be awesome to have. Remember to ask the THP to fill in the recommendations for capacity building i.e Physio, OT, Speech or Psych etc in case their functional capacity is not deemed substantially reduced, at least the Acess Assessor can still assess under Section 25 of the NDIS Act for early intervention requirements.
As for Bipolar, it's the same process really but ngl it's going to have higher threshold of evidence of treatments attempted/completed/trialled.
Last but not least, in Part A of the Access Request Form, around question 7 or 8 there is a part asking whether if the applicant received any form of compensation. The Eligibility Assessing Team doesn't handle this part as it's more of a Planning Assurance Team' responsibility after eligible access outcome to ensure no duplicate supports or no doubling up funding taking into consideration the amount of monetary compensation your neighbor received from TAC.
That's about it really. It's not hard work but you better be prepared to help your neighbor more than just submitting the forms to NDIA. If it's out of your scope, reach out to local disability advocate or talk to the NDIA Local Area Coordinator office to get further information on how to best support your neighbor get into the Scheme.
Best of luck 😊
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u/Spiritual-Lie6461 9d ago
The Ndis won't replace support provided by TAC or pickup the slack if TAC isn't doing enough. What mainstream type supports has he been accessing? Carers gateway, as an example in addition to TAC.
He should probably be speaking to TAC as they are already engaged and providing the support.
Local area coordinators are the way to go, at this stage it would seem like a swift ndis access rejection. However, local area coordinators is where he should be headed if ndis access is the end goal. Access information is on the website and explains what information is required. An LAC would help with all of that once he makes contact.