YOU’RE already on your way to getting an NDIS plan. As a member of the Options Disability Support family, you’re automatically eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

In the coming weeks and months, you’ll be contacted by the National Disability Insurance Agency to build your first NDIS plan. You may have been contacted already. Your first NDIS plan will recognise your existing programs and supports and deliver on your unmet needs.

Here’s what you need to do before building that first NDIS plan.

1. THINK ABOUT YOUR SERVICES AND SUPPORTS

You may have already done that with Options Disability Support. Earlier this year we offered to meet with families to ask how their day looked and what services and supports they received now and what they might need over the coming year. Many families took up that offer and we developed your weekly schedule of programs and supports based on those needs.

A copy of the Options Disability Support pre-planning tool we used to help develop your program schedule can be downloaded below.

DOWNLOAD OUR NDIS PRE-PLAN TOOL

2. BUILD YOUR FIRST PLAN

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has appointed St Vincent de Paul to be the Local Area Coordinator for NDIS plans on the Central Coast. You will be contacted by the NDIA or a Local Area Coordinator and a meeting will be organised to build your first NDIS plan. This plan will be for 12 months.

While you’re waiting for the NDIA to contact you, build and approve your first plan, your current funding arrangements will remain in place.

3. DECIDE HOW TO MANAGE YOUR PLAN

You can self-manage the funding you receive from the NDIA in your first and future 12-month plans.

You can also opt for the NDIA to manage your funds, accessing information about how your supports and programs have been paid for through an online financial management system known as the Participant Portal. http://bit.ly/290Kz9l

You can also call on NDIS registered services, like Options Disability Support, to manage your funds, again accessing information about how costs have been paid through the Participant Portal.

LEARN HOW TO MANAGE NDIS FUNDS

4. CHOOSE YOUR SUPPORTS AND PROGRAMS

In preparing for and building your first plan, you’ve already thought about what supports, programs and services you need. Some you may already be getting and wish to continue.

With your plan manager, set down the service providers who will meet your support and program needs and if you haven’t already established a relationship with them do so and make them part of your support team.

How you manage your plan will determine who receives invoices and pays them on your behalf. That might be you, a registered service provider or the NDIA. Options Disability Support will issue invoices for services and programs you receive from us.

5. REVIEW AND GROW

Every 12 months you’ll have an opportunity to review your plan and add or remove supports and programs, change service providers or use your plan to access community programs and services. Your NDIS plan will grow and change as you do.

GET MORE INFORMATION

If you would like support from Options Disability Support to prepare for a visit from the NDIA, please phone (02) 4340 5155 or email admin@optionsdisabilitysupport.org.au to make the request.