Support Coordination: What is it and how can you use it to make the most out of your NDIS Plan?

The NDIS provides people with disability, throughout Australia, an opportunity to access a wide range of supports to help them achieve their goals. At present, the NDIS provides funding for supports to approximately 500,000 people. However, there is said to be around 4.3 million Australians who have a disability.1

Applying for an NDIS plan can be a daunting task for many. It takes a lot of preparation to obtain supporting evidence and medical letters and documentation to assist with an application. It is critical that this evidence clearly states that the disability is permanent.

Then there’s a process to submitting your application and the wait to hear back to see if your application has been approved.

Once approved you will be asked to attend a meeting with and NDIS Local Area Coordinator (LAC) to discuss the supports you require. This can be stressful for many, however the reward, once you get your plan is worth it.
 
Not all plans will have Support Coordination as part of the funding, however, if you get a chance to request for Support Coordination during your meeting with a LAC, by all means ask, and hopefully you’ll have that request supported.
 
A Support Coordinator is often invaluable to helping you understand your plan and supporting you to use the funds you’ve been allocated to access quality services and supports.
 
Your Support Coordinator can link you with services that you may have not previously considered, and will help you build a care team for yourself or the person you are caring for. All the while, you get to exercise choice and control, choosing what supports you’d like and when you’d like them. 

At Grace Professional Services our core business is to provide Support Coordination to NDIS participants. We’re also registered to provide Specialist Support Coordination for more complex circumstances, and our Auslan Support Coordinator specialises in supporting those who are deaf or hearing impaired.
 
If you need a Support Coordinator, or would like to know more about how we can help you please reach out and speak to one of our friendly team members today.  
 
For more information about Support Coordination click here or visit the NDIS website.
1.ndis.gov.au/understanding/what-ndis