The rollout of the NDIS has been a confusing process for many people. While there is lots of information and resources available it is easy to feel a bit lost.
NDIS support
PWdWA can give you information to help you to understand the process of applying for NDIS and provide you with information about eligibility. We can send you information about NDIS in your preferred format and help you access guides and checklists which have resources to support you both with applying for NDIS and going through the planning process.
To find out if you will be eligible for the NDIS you can check all of the eligibility requirements.
There is lots of information online about Access and Planning, including participant booklets
You can also use our NDIS Access Request Toolkit and Support Letter Template:
NDIS Access Request Support Letter Template
This diagram might also help. We also have a screen-readable version:
PWdWA does not have the capacity to provide ongoing support in applying for NDIS or attending planning and review meetings. We strongly encourage you to take family, friends or key support workers with you to planning and review meetings to ensure you feel supported through that process.
PWdWA is able to provide advocacy:
- If you have applied for NDIS, or have started the planning or review process and you feel you are not being heard by NDIA or want to make a complaint
- You are unhappy with a decision made by NDIA and want to review or appeal that decision
- You want to make a complaint about your NDIS service provider who are funded to provide you with help and supports.
Developing your NDIS plan is a really important part of getting funding from the NDIS for support that you need. In Western Australia there are some great resources that have been developed by WA’s Individualised Services on preparing for your plan and also on the different ways that you can manage your funding, including information on how to self-manage and employ your own support workers.
Through the PWdWA Peer support project a number of tools to help with planning were developed. Here are some tools that can assist you with preparing for your NDIS planning and thinking about the opportunities you could access in the community.
My Top Individual Goals and Gifts
Community Imagination Worksheet
Micro-Enterprise Imagination Worksheet
Micro-Enterprise Imagination Cards
NDIS Conversations and Cookbook
NDIS Planning Posters – please contact us directly to get the whole set.
Information about appealing a decision made by NDIA
If you think a decision made by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) about you is wrong, you can submit an application for internal review of a decision. Any person directly affected by a decision of the NDIA can request a review. You can find out more about this on the NDIS website. The NDIS Website also has an application form you can use to request an internal review. A Word version of the application is also available.
PWdWA runs regular online and face-to-face two hour information session on how to request a review, you can find out more about these information session on our Eventbrite page.
We also have a Toolkit which you can use to help you with your Internal Review. This Toolkit was developed with help from other advocacy agencies and Legal Aid WA.
WA Advocates Internal Review Toolkit - contains information about requesting an Internal Review as well as an example application form
Example Internal Review Application Form - Example application form only. Has advice on what to include in each section of the application.
PWdWA is funded for an advocate to act as a "Support Person" when someone asks for a review of a NDIA decision, and if a person wishes to appeal and NDIS decision with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT).
The role of a Support Person is to:
- explaining the review process, including what is involved in appealing to the AAT;
- helping to prepare documents;
- providing advice and skills so you can better represent yourself, or
- attending AAT conferences and hearings to help you put your case to the AAT;
- helping you apply for legal services where your case raises complex or novel legal issues.
Useful resources for people going through an Appeal at the AAT;
- Statement of lived experience template - to use as a guide when writing a statement of Lived Experience to send to the AAT, about accessing the NDIS.
- Access Matrix - to use when organising evidence about a person's disability, before sending the the AAT.
For more information:
- Administrative Appeals Tribunal – Applying for a review
- Has the NDIA made a decision you do not like? - Easy Read
Here is the information on the NDIS website on their Operational Guidelines about going through a review at the AAT