Lived Experience Forum

[eth]

@JazzHands  I would really appreciate you asking if there are any suggestions re my review request for me too.  Thanks in advance.

[JazzHands]

@Mazarita and @eth here is the response from the NDIA

NIDA only access Centrelink records to cross check disability type, and not contact details. It's still really important that people provide their up to date contact details directly to NDIA as well as any other information to determine access direct to the agency.

Access request is considered valid when NDIA receives evidence of: age, residence. This can be obtained from their Centrelink record if consent given and their CRN number is used.

If no consent is provided to access their Centrelink record, they will be requested to provide a copy of one of the following documents:
Birth certificate
Current Passport
Proof of Age card
Drivers Licence
Adoption Papers
This is for evidence of AGE

If no Centrelink record consent given, a request to provide a copy of one of the following documents regarding ADDRESS is required.
Utility bill – e.g. electricity
Lease, rental agreements
Council rates
Home insurance… all covering the relevant periods.

For proof of CITIZENSHIP or RESIDENCY
Birth certificate
Australian citizenship or naturalisation certificate
Document including a valid Aust. Permanent Residency Visa or Protected Special Visa.

[JazzHands]

@eth apologies!

I noted that you were discussing reapplying but didnt catch the question in your text. I see it now - advice about what else to put in. I'll forward your comment and question to the NDIA and get back to you. Sorry for letting it slip past me!

[Mazarita]

Thanks very much for the detailed info, @JazzHands. Much appreciated!

[eth]

Thanks in advance @JazzHands

[JazzHands]

Hi @eth Sorry for the delay!!

Here is the information from NDIA

Under the NDIS Act to be eligible for access a person’s disability is attributable to one or more intellectual, cognitive, neurological, sensory or physical impairments, or to one or more impairments attributable to a psychiatric condition that is, or is likely to be permanent. The impairment(s) result in substantially reduced functional capacity to undertake, or psychosocial functioning in undertaking, one or more of the following activities: communication, social interaction, learning, mobility, self-care, self-management. It is also likely to affect the person’s capacity for social and economic participation. However, in order to meet the disability requirements, all of the requirements above need to be satisfied.

The NDIS Act states that an impairment is, or is likely to be, permanent only if there are no known, available and appropriate evidence-based clinical, medical or other treatments that would be likely to remedy the impairment. An impairment may be permanent despite the fluctuation in the severity of its impact on the functional capacity of the person.

 Due to the above information it may be possible that the Access Request Form (ARF) needs to be revised to ensure that the medical professional who completes the ARF outlines the effects of the impairment (not diagnosis) on the person’s functional capacity rather than clinical diagnoses. Similarly, all supporting evidence needs to address the functional impairment of Bipolar and Complex PTSD in performing everyday tasks, interacting with the community, attending social activities, and the ability to communicate effectively with other people.

I think what they're trying to say is that additional information would be great. But that it needs to encompass some information about how your diagnosis impacts you in a range of areas such as 

Daily Living

Home

Health and Well-being

Lifelong Learning

Relationships

Choice and Control

Work

Social and Community Participation

You can also look at the legislation around this as well 🙂

https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2013L01063

https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2016C00730/Html/Text#_Toc447096671

Hope this helps!

[eth]

Thankyou very much @JazzHands.  I think the occupational therapist and new psychologist have now covered most of that pretty thoroughly (at last).  It's hard not to have my mental health affected by this whole NDIS song and dance.  One has to really focus on the worst times of an episodic disorder rather than using available energy for management of wellness activities and focus.

[ndisrupt]

Very helpful, thanks 🙂

[Kateeg84]

Hey everyone my name is katie and I have some experiences with the NDIS. I have 3 children with autism who are all participants and I applied earlier this year in regards to my mental health illnesses. I will tell you what I know witch is a bit as I'm on social media a lot and I've had to deal with the NDIS for over 2 years for my children. The NDIS is a scheme built to help change the lives of people with disabilities and mental health illnesses. The supports they can put in place help participants have a better chance at living life to their full potential. Ir has a strong focus on choice and control so that the participants can have a say on what they receive and who they choose to go to for the funds that they can be given.

For mental health side of NDIS it's actually officially referred to as Psychosocial.. Not all people with mental health illnesses have fall under this category. In fact there has been only 64000 allowed accepted participants. The supports that you can receive from the NDIS are on a case by case basis. You will only receive funding for something if it's going to have a direct impact on your goals. The first bit of advice I give anyone is go to the NDIS website and check out the price guide for your state. This lists absolutely everything that the NDIS will fund. I strongly urge everyone to get as much evidence of diagnosis and reports from any specialist you see. At the moment it is not made clear enough as far as I am concerned and many others what exactly you need to be granted access. They are able to ask for further information, this can be very time consuming and costly. From the people that I have spoken to the more evidence they presented up front the easier it was for them to be eligible. Once you have proven your eligibility you will get a planning meeting. If you can opt to have one in person. In my experience it's been easier to get across my full story in person than over the phone. It's also important to remember that the planers aren't required to have any previous knowledge of mental health. I know it's hard sometimes to express and explain how we are feeling but it's important to give them your worst case scenario day so they have a better understanding of your needs. You are aloud to have a support person with you at your planning meeting. Prior to the plan I would try and find on the NDIS website a pre planning work book I found this extremely helpful in planning for my boys.
The meeting can be extremely confrontational (I haven't had mine for my mental health yet) but we have to explain our family situation and go into details about things that we don't necessarily always talk about. But try and remember you are doing it to help you get the best support for yourself or person you are caring for. The plans run for 12 months and what you receive is based around what goals you set for the year. It's good to plan at least a minimum of 4. The goals part of the planning process is the most important. If the help you want to receive has nothing to do with the goal you planned then you won't receive it.
Hopefully it doesn't take to long from planning meeting to receiving a plan. Once you get your plan the hardest thing is then choosing the organisations to deliver the program or products as the NDIS don't provide us with this information. Hopefully with every mental health plan they put in funding for what's called a support co ordinator and they help with what's called support co ordination. So they will hopefully be able to tell you what's available in your area for the services you need and help you apply and set up these services. If you are not happy with your plan you can also put in for a review via the NDIS website.
Just because you receive a letter from the NDIS does not mean you are automatically eligible I received one and months later I am still being requested more evidence

Also if you are rejected for not being eligible for the NDIS you are able to get that decision reviewed

Also at anytime with the NDIS if you feel like you need a voice we are allowed to seek out a disability advocate. There are free ones around