1300 99 49 49
Planning meeting us?
Your expectations?
The NDIS was created to offer support to people with disabilities through human rights Act. It’s been put in place to better improve independence, shape lives and ensure proper participation and economic and social contribution to Australia’s society as a whole. It offers the participants to decide on the type of service and support that will help them achieve the goals they want. Participants will be able to choose from a mix of informal supports (offered by friends and families), community and government services (mainstream community support) and fully funded supports (My Supports).
The planning meeting process usually takes about 60 to 120 minutes and you as the participant have the option of bringing someone to accompany you. At your planning meeting, you will be asked to answer series of questions with your Local Area Coordinator (LAC), these questions are:
- Personal information such as your name, age, residential address and your primary disability. Be sure to have a medical report indicating your primary disability
- Who you’d like to help manage your plan?You have the options of self-manage (offers more choice and control), hire a plan manager (a registered manager) or use NDIA
- Information on your informal support: family and friend’s support
- How you manage your day-to-day activity. This help provide information on your abilities and the type of support services, tools or help you will need
- Things that make you feel insecure so you are able to get help and live more independently
- Things you do year in and year out to help identify the right support and service for you
- Your goals for the next 12 months and what plans are suitable for you most. Goals discussed may include Increasing choice and control in your life, learning and education, work, social and community activities, housing options, improving your health and wellbeing
When you have a broader goal, you are sure to maximise your services and support options to help you achieve the goals that has been set.
Ensure to have a proper thought of the planning before the meeting and you should endeavour to ask your LAC questions regarding the services you can get.
Things that are excluded in your plan
Some supports are not included in your plan. These supports include supports that:
Are not related to your disability
The same as the services provided as the government
Cost-effective supports that are not related to your plan
That may be risky or harmful
Who are Local Area Coordinators (LAC’s)?
Some supports are not included in your plan. These supports include supports that:
- Assist participants understand the NDIS
- Work for the National Disability Insurance Agency
- Work with their local community to make sure it is more welcoming and inclusive for people with disability
- Work with their local community to make sure it is more welcoming and inclusive for people with disability
- Work with participants to develop their NDIS plan
- Navigate participants through the NDIS system
- Link participants to information and support in the community
LACs are not staff of the NDIS; however, they are employed by partners on our list throughout Australia.
Who will handle your plan?
Upon answering all the necessary questions relating to your support and service plan, the LAC will then as you how you would like to manage your plan. There are three options to select from:
- Yourself or a nominee (friends, family or guardian)
- A registered plan manager
- The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)
You are able to get support at your convenience regardless of the option you select. The difference between the three plans is just how the service providers are paid. Self or nominee option offers flexibility though.
What if I or a nominee manages my plan?
Once you get the needed service from a service provider, you are to request for an invoice which then you sent it to NDIA. The NDIA then make payment into your account for you to pay the service provider for all services you are eligible for. This option only make you choose your provider as it offers flexibility and choice, however, you have to be careful handling all the paperwork.
What if a register plan management manages my plan?
After you have received a service from a service provider, you can ask them for an invoice, then send it to the NDIA. The NDIA will then transfers the money into your account so that you pay the provider. Under this option, you can choose any provider you like and you have the rights to negotiate the pricing as well.
What if NDIA manages my plan?
In this instance, the service provider submits all invoices relating to supports provided to you directly to the NDIA and gets paid by them. NDIA then conduct checks and the registered provider is paid.
Locating support providers
Upon the approval of your plan, you are expected to adequately get the services and supports you put in for. The earlier, the better as delay will amount to losing some of your plan to lost time. Contact experienced people to advise you on how to go about it or contact our staff at Prime Assist Services on 1300 99 49 49 to assist you depending on your area location. Alternatively you can email us on enquiries@primeas.org for further information.
Is it possible for me to select more than one plan?
Sure, you can depend on the areas you need attention in. If there are more areas you need assistance with, you may consider more options.
Top 5 tips for you
- Be sure to prepare for your planning meeting
- Be sure to identify your goals and make it broad
- Choose a plan that will make you independent and safe.
- Informal support is good, however, take advantage of professional support
- Always consider your plan before selecting one
Speak with our
experienced staff
Prime Assist Services are NDIS professionals,we are known to work with a host of providers and relate with participants on all issues related to NDIS.
If you have any questions please contact our staff so they can assist you in getting a better suitable NDIS deal.