The National Disability Insurance Scheme, more commonly known as the NDIS, has many benefits for both employers and the employees. This scheme was introduced in 2020 and is designed to help those with disabilities gain access to work and make the best of life. This scheme supports people with disabilities to build skills and capabilities. This helps them participate in the community, as well as get employment.  

A mental health condition can be influenced by several factors, like life events or genetics. A mental health condition often includes anxiety, depression, psychosis, or compulsive and personality disorders. When a loss or damage to a particular mental function, like a damage in perception, emotions, memory, or thinking, occurs, a person is eligible for the NDIS mental healthcare.  

What is NDIS? 

The National Disability Insurance Scheme or NDIS is a national scheme that provides funding and support to Australians who have permanent and significant disabilities. It is Australia’s first national scheme for the disabled. The NDIS provides support and assistance to individuals with physical, sensory, intellectual, and psychosocial disabilities. The scheme is designed to give support and skill training to participants so that their standard of living and independence improve over time.  

At its core, NDIS also provides economic support to those who are suffering from long-term or significant disabilities that prevent them from carrying out day-to-day activities. Eligible people can vary greatly, with the number and severity of their injuries and disabilities determining who receives funding.  

Who is Eligible? 

To be eligible for the scheme, you must first be an Australian citizen and should be below the age of 65 years. It’s imperative to have a lifelong disability that prevents you from doing everyday tasks by yourself. 

While several patients who suffer from progressive neurological diseases, like multiple sclerosis, could be currently managing their symptoms well and may think they aren’t eligible for the scheme, it would be advisable to go through the criteria list to check if there is anything that could be of assistance for such patients.  

Some patients may need early intervention access to the NDIS if they have evidence that getting support now will help them reduce their support needs in the future. This is especially true for progressive neurological diseases that may be unpredictable. Thus, accessing support from NDIS now and for the future is essential. 

If you currently need physical or mental support to carry out your daily tasks, you may be eligible. Thus, make sure to check the NDIS support or services for the kinds of support you may need.  

How To Apply For NDIS?

To start the process of accessing National Disability Insurance Scheme in Australia, you need to complete an application. The application for the scheme can be done online, and the form can be downloaded online as well after paying a fee. Once your application has been submitted, you will be notified, either by email or phone, of your eligibility status.  

If you then wish to proceed with applying for the scheme, you will need to meet a few pre-qualifying conditions, including having a taxable income, being aged 18 or over, and meeting other healthcare needs, such as a diagnosed medical condition. If you meet these criteria, you will automatically be approved. You will then be placed into a scheme to which you will receive the necessary support to meet your specific needs.

Here are the top five benefits of NDIS in Australia.  

1. Provides Life Skills Development  

The National Disability Insurance Scheme provides a means for disabled people to avail of several facilities provided by the government. Life skills training is one such facility that would help disabled people enhance their self-confidence, as well as improve their life skills. With the help of these skills, they can easily learn how to face certain situations and deal with them effectively. Some of the important life skills that are taught by the NDIS include self-reliance, determination, assertiveness, teamwork, self-direction, and communication skills. 

The life skills offered by the NDIS also include vocational training and refresher courses. These life skills development courses are provided for each one so that they can easily grasp the importance of these skills and use them to their advantage in their daily lives. These courses are designed in a manner that will enable the participants to benefit from the life skills, making them more independent and successful.  There are NDIS registered Occupational Therapists who are there to help you through the process. 

Another important aspect of life skills training is personal development. This aspect includes skills like management of finances, time management, stress management, self-confidence, delegating jobs, problem solving, goal setting, team spirit, communication, and success orientation. Every individual must avail of this training so that they can improve themselves through the various life skills offered by the NDIS. No person can learn these skills by themselves.  

2. Assistance in Life-Changing Transition 

Transitioning to a new stage of life can be challenging for anyone, especially if it involves a physical or mental disability. There are several life stage transitions, like leaving your home, starting a job, or retiring, that can have an impact on your mental health. Challenging life stage transitions can often lead to stress, anxiety, or depression. However, with proper planning and support, you may turn this difficult phase in your life into a positive situation.  

With supportive connections and networks, peer support, and mentoring, the NDIS may help its participants make challenging life transitions in a supportive environment. 

3. Supported Independent Living  

Supported independent living involves help or supervision of daily tasks that will help patients live as independently as possible. The National Disability Insurance Scheme offers supported independent living to the physically and mentally disabled persons.  

The scheme offers guaranteed benefits, and these include the provision of tailor-made independent living homes. It offers a supportive apartment or home with personal assistance. The scheme also offers medical care by licensed and recognized health professionals at an additional charge. The participatory approach of the National Disability Insurance Scheme provides the disabled with an assurance that they will receive the same support as other participants.  

NDIS has designed a benefit structure that meets the needs and requirements of the disabled, and ensures that they can maintain a dignified and self-confident existence. The basic plan of NDIS provides a monthly income to the eligible participants, which is more than enough to meet their needs, and these include the provision of a home, as well as the necessary food and medical care. However, depending upon the individual disability and the local area where they live, different benefits are offered to participants.  

4. Assistance in Daily Activities  

The National Disability Insurance Scheme provides support and assistance for daily tasks, like eating, sleeping, personal care, dressing, bathing, moving about comfortably, going to the toilet, using the computer, and many others. Disability assistance is meant to protect and support the policyholder with the provision of income while they remain incapable of doing the tasks by themselves. 

The benefits are meant to help you overcome the discomforts so that you can carry on with your daily life. The NDIS plan’s assistance with daily personal activities, like daily hygiene or supervision of personal daily tasks, helps the individual live as independently as possible in their homes and communities.  

The cost of support funded for assistance with daily personal tasks may depend on the participant’s support needs. The National Disability Insurance Scheme also ensures financial assistance for qualified professionals who assist disabled persons in gaining higher education, gaining employment, or buying a home, among many others. 

5. Assistance With Social And Community Participation  

The NDIS funding encourages its participants to attend social, community, or recreational events. For instance, a disability support worker may assist you to travel or attend a community meeting.  

The NDIS may fund a support worker to assist you when joining a group, taking a holiday, visiting a library or a concert, going to community events, and joining a club. There are NDIS support centres that offer recreational activities, such as for fitness, arts, and culture. There are community hubs that support participants to learn new skills, make friends, and socialize with their respective communities.

Conclusion 

As mentioned earlier, the National Disability Insurance Scheme is Australia’s very first national program that caters to the disabled. The scheme aims to help people with physical, intellectual, and mental disabilities, and who are not capable of carrying out day to day tasks without the support or assistance of another individual.  

In addition, the NDIS helps patients build their skills, as well as their capacity to live independently. The patients have the option to attend programs or take courses that would lead to the development of life skills, like confidence, teamwork, and assertiveness. 

Other benefits of NDIS include assistance during life-changing transitions, providing supported independent living, assistance in daily activities, and assistance with social and community participation.  

To avail of the benefits of NDIS, you may first check your eligibility. You may then apply online by downloading an application form. If you meet all the criteria, you will be eligible for the benefits and support provided by NDIS.