NDIS Plan Meeting – A Guide

So, you’ve just received your NDIS funding, but it may seem a little complicated and confusing. As disability support providers and plan managers, we understand that this process can be overwhelming, but we’re here to help.

Your NDIS planning meeting is your chance to choose which supports and services you’d like to receive. In this meeting, you’ll be asked by your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) about hopes and goals for now and the future. These can feel like loaded questions and may need some thinking time to answer.

For this reason, we’ve created a comprehensive guide below to make it easier for you to feel prepared for, and get the most out of, the meeting.

We have listed some questions that you may want to think about before your meeting:

What is my life like now?

This is an important question to answer, not just in your planning meeting, but for yourself in general.

It’s important to look at and understand what your life is like right now, and how it can be improved by the support the NDIS can provide. This reflective question is helpful for you to establish what’s missing, and which supports and services can help fill in the gaps.

Ask yourself these simple questions:

• What does your daily routine look like?

This helps in understanding where supports can help make your day feel smooth and easy.

• What are some things you like to do, that you currently cannot?

This helps in creating a plan that prioritizes independence, control and thus more enjoyment in life.

• What are your current health concerns and issues?

This information, most importantly, is required to allow you to gain the most out of your NDIS plan.

• Do you currently receive any supports?

If so, list them. Be sure to bring along any relevant reports, paperwork and letters from the NDIA too.

• In your day-to-day life, who are the people that support you?

This may be family, friends, carers, GP or others.

• Are there any supports or services missing that you’d like to add?

A simple list of your wants and needs can help your Local Area Coordinator create a more tailored plan.

What are my goals?

The NDIS was created to provide funding to eligible people with disability to gain more time with family and friends, greater independence, access to new skills, jobs, or volunteering in their community, and an improved quality of life.

With that in mind, it’s important for you to decide on what you would like your life to look like. We encourage you to think carefully about what you would like to achieve now and, in the future, and we can help make that a reality with the help of the NDIS.

Try writing a list including:

• What do I want my life to look like in 5-10 years?
• What do I want my living situation to be?
• How can I better manage my health?
• Do I want to engage more in social situations?
• What areas of my life would I like more independence?
• Do I want to study?
• Do I want to work?
• Do I want to pick up some new hobbies?

Don’t limit yourself to these questions. Remember, this meeting is all about you and how the NDIS and providers such as Help at Hand Support help you. So, say what you feel and ask for what you want.

Do I need Plan Management?

With the NDIS, you have the freedom to decide how and when you use your funding and choose who provides your services. This involves lots of planning. You can request Plan Management to assist in handling your NDIS funds. A Plan Manager ensures that your service providers receive payment, makes claims from the NDIS on your behalf, and keeps tabs on your paperwork and spending. If you’re interested in this service, just mention it in your meeting. It’s available for everyone who requests it.

Am I eligible for Support Coordination?

Support Coordination is a helpful part of the NDIS support system. A Support Coordinator is a person who can help you find and connect with support workers to suit your individual situation and goals. This can be helpful if you require multiple supports, as you may find it difficult to keep track of all of them all on your own. Not everyone is eligible for Support Coordination, so make sure you ask your LAC about it to see if you are.

How would you like your plan to be managed?

Ask yourself if you’d like to manage your own invoices and payments. These are your options:

• Plan Management – if you ask for Plan Management, the NDIS must put it in your plan. You’ll then receive funding for this, in the ‘Improved Life Choices’ category.
• Self-Management – this means taking care of choosing and paying for providers yourself.
• NDIA management – this limits you to registered providers only.

If you would like to speak with someone from the Help at Hand Support team about your individual situation call us on 1300 822 190.