Am I eligible for the NDIS?
Published at 16-09-2024 11:45:00
Am I eligible for the NDIS?
What does the NDIS provide?
The NDIS funds various supports, including new skills development, job opportunities, and social participation. It is designed to be flexible, with the individual or their guardian having the freedom to choose the providers that offer the necessary goods and services (within certain guidelines).
Who is eligible for the NDIS?
To qualify for NDIS funding, you need to meet the following NDIS Access Criteria:
- Age: You must be between 9 and 65 years old. (If your child is younger than 9, the NDIS Early Childhood Partner can offer support before a formal NDIS application is made.)
- Residency: You must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or Protected Special Category Visa holder.
- Location: You need to live in Australia.
- Disability Requirements: You must have a disability caused by a permanent impairment, meaning it will likely be lifelong and significantly affect your daily life.
What does it mean to have a lifelong disability?
A lifelong disability is one where the person’s impairment meets the following criteria:
- Caused by an impairment: This can affect one or more of the following:
- Body functions (e.g., neurological function)
- Body structure (e.g., physical or sensory disability)
- Cognition (e.g., intellectual or cognitive disability)
- Psychosocial disabilities are also included if they limit your capacity to perform daily tasks due to mental health challenges.
- Permanent Impairment: Your impairment must be expected to last throughout your life, even if its effects may fluctuate over time.
- Impact on Daily Life: The impairment must significantly reduce your ability to:
- Move around
- Communicate
- Engage in social activities
- Learn
- Take care of yourself
- Manage your day-to-day activities
- Long-Term Support: You are likely to need disability support from the NDIS for the rest of your life.
If your condition appears on NDIS List A, your eligibility is almost guaranteed.
Do I have to be born with a disability?
No, the cause of your impairment does not matter. Whether you were born with the condition or acquired it through injury, illness, or accident, the key factor is that the impairment is permanent and impacts your daily life.
What does "permanent" impairment mean?
The NDIS requires evidence that your impairment will last for life. Even if your condition is episodic or fluctuates in intensity, it can still be considered permanent due to its overall impact on your life.
Your impairment is unlikely to be considered permanent if it is treatable or temporary. Before deciding eligibility, the NDIS will review whether all available treatments and interventions have been tried.
For conditions listed on NDIS List B, the NDIS will likely assess your impairment as permanent.
Will the NDIS fund treatment?
The NDIS does not fund treatments for your impairment. Instead, it funds supports that help you manage the impact of the impairment on your daily life, focusing on increasing independence, functional capacity, and social participation.
Your impairment will likely be considered permanent if your healthcare professional provides evidence that no further treatments are expected to cure or relieve your condition.
Can degenerative conditions qualify for NDIS?
Yes, degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s disease, or Multiple Sclerosis are considered permanent if treatments are unlikely to improve the impairment. If you regularly require disability-specific supports to manage daily activities, you may be eligible for NDIS support.
Do I have to prove my disability every year?
Once you are deemed eligible for the NDIS, you do not need to prove your disability each time your plan is reviewed. However, if your situation changes or your support needs evolve, the NDIS may reassess your eligibility and adjust your supports accordingly.
Additional resources
If you want to read more on eligibility, feel free to read the Am I Eligible page on the NDIS website.