There have been many changes to the NDIS this year. Some of these may affect your or your family member’s plan. We know these changes have not always been explained clearly and can feel confusing or worrying. Here are the key points to know.
Eligibility reassessments
Each week, around 1,250 NDIS participants, mostly children, are being reassessed. Families are often being asked to prove why the participant is still eligible, sometimes with little notice or clear guidance on what information is needed. For most people in the Down syndrome community, this should not cause issues, but it is important to stay informed. If you do have any issues with being asked for an eligibility reassessment, please reach out to us, or your local Down syndrome association.
Impairment notices
The NDIA has started telling new participants about the impairments that qualify them for the NDIS. Eventually, this will apply to everyone. This matters because it affects how the NDIS budget can be used. For example, most people with Down syndrome have an impairment category of intellectual disability, but it is important that any other impairments, like physical or sensory disabilities (like hearing or vision loss), are also recorded if they apply. We're working with the NDIA to make this transition as simple as possible. You will hear more from us when it's being rolled out to existing participants.
Funding periods
Recently, the NDIA introduced funding periods for new plans. Instead of receiving their full budget all at once, the default is that participants may now only access three months of funding at a time. While the NDIS has said they will account for large purchases such as equipment, or lumpy payments it raises concerns about handling unexpected health needs or other urgent supports. Importantly, participants are entitled to ask for different funding periods (such as longer periods or a different split of funds. The NDIS must take these requests into consideration. We are hoping for more guidance in this area soon.
Support Lists
Since October 2024, there are support lists for what funding can and cannot be used for. Some things that were claimable before are no longer allowed. If budgets are used incorrectly, the NDIA can ask for money back. While this can be upsetting, most people will receive a warning before any action is taken. The NDIA is reviewing how these lists are working and we will be providing input into this review.
If you need help understanding these changes, please contact your support coordinator or your local State or Territory Down Syndrome Association.
