We understand that the changes taking place with the NDIS might seem daunting and confusing. It can be difficult to adjust to a new system. Maybe you have questions about what it means for you and the services you already receive. Or maybe this is a whole new opportunity for you to benefit from support services for the very first time. Either way, what you need to know is that the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) puts you at the centre of the decision-making process. It lets you determine the services and activities that are right for you, and how these are delivered. If you have a disability, the NDIS is an exciting opportunity that gives you greater choice and control, so you can live the life you choose.

NDIS is a Federal Government funding scheme to support people with disability, their families, and carers. It was launched in July 2013 and is over seen by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). People who are eligible for NDIS support are called participants. Each participant has their own NDIS plan that identifies the outcomes they wish to achieve, the supports that will be funded by the NDIS and other supports the person requires. NDIS has given people with disability the power to choose where and how to access their supports. People with disability will receive funding for reasonable and necessary supports based on their individual needs and goals to enjoy an ordinary life. Funding is directly allocated to the individual to purchase the services they need, rather than funding being directly applied to the service providers. People with disability will be able to choose the types of supports they receive, when and where they are accessed, and which disability service providers they will use to deliver the supports. For more information about NDIS visit: https://www.ndis.gov.au/

NDIS will fund ‘reasonable and necessary’ supports needed to meet your needs and achieve your goals. Depending on your goals, the funding in your plan may include the following:

Core funding – funding that covers functional support needs for daily living and to access community supports and activities.

Capital funding – funding that covers the purchase of one-off items such as equipment, technology, or modifications. It also includes funding for Specialist Disability Accommodation.

Capacity funding – funding that supports skill building, training, learning, capacity building, accessing employment, improving health and wellbeing and support coordination.

NDIS is designed to help people achieve their goals. This may include greater independence, community involvement, employment, and improved wellbeing

To receive funding from NDIS, you must be eligible and meet the requirements to become a participant. To be eligible, you must:

• Be under 65 years of age and 55 for Indigenous when you first access the scheme.
• Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or New Zealand citizen who is a Protected Special Category Visa holder
• Have a permanent or significant disability that affects your ability to take part in everyday activities.
• Live in Australia where the NDIS is available. OR
• Meet early intervention requirements where the person may not have functional deficits, but the impact of the impairment may lead to substantially reduced functional capacity without support.

If unsure or ready to apply for NDIS funding, click the link below and more information will be provided: https://www.ndis.gov.au/people-disability/access-requirements.html

To determine your eligibility, visit the NDIS website and complete the My Access Checker Tool. If you meet the criteria, you can ask to become a participant by completing an access request form.

You need to contact the NDIA on 1800 800 110 and ask for the access request form which will be mailed to you. In the access request form, you will be asked to provide information about your disability and how it impacts on your daily life. You will need to collect supporting evidence from health professionals and allied health personnel.

Yes, Empowerment Care is compatible with all forms of funding. For people who do not receive funding through the NDIS, this could include:

• Self-funding through disposable income
• State-based funding (Community Participation funding)
• Other insurance-based funding (e.g., TAC, iCare, NIIS)

NDIS is a government funded initiative that you will need to be approved for via the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). If you are currently receiving services through a Queensland Disability Services funded organisation, the NDIA will contact you when it is time for your assessment.

Step 1 Access request: If the NDIA has not contacted you yet and you are not registered with Disability Services, phone them to begin the registration process, and complete an Access Request Form.

Step 2 Application: Your NDIS application will be assessed based on the information you have provided.

Step 3 Verify: Once you reach the NDIS eligibility criteria, you will be contacted to schedule your planning meeting.

Step 4 Planning meeting: An NDIA representative will meet with you to work through your NDIS plan.

Step 5 Action plan: Once your plan is finalised, JiviCare will help you put it into action as your NDIS provider.

Empowerment Care is a registered NDIS provider. You can use the following types of funding with Empowerment Care:

• NDIS funded
• Plan-managed
• Self-managed

To use Empowerment Care, people with disability can either use a disability support package or their own personal income to pay for support. All NDIS participants in QLD can use Empowerment Care. If you are an NDIS participant, your funding (in full or in part) must be plan-managed or self-managed to use Empowerment Care.

When you join Empowerment Care, we will ask what kind of plan management you have. This will tell us how you will pay for support through Empowerment Care in one of three ways:

• Self-managed, send the invoice to you.
• Plan-managed, send the invoice to your plan manager.
• NDIS managed; we will arrange to have invoices paid through the NDIS MyPlace portal

There is a seven-day payment period for your invoice.

In most situations, Empowerment Care services are GST exempt. Our rates are shown exclusive of GST. (Some limited exceptions may apply)

JiviCare’s pricing is good for everyone. Our users pay less, our workers earn more, and our rates come in well below the NDIS price cap.
We take care of insurance, tax, payroll, and superannuation, as well as verification, training, and development for your workers.
You can also read about how we set our prices, and information on pricing changes.
Pricing Arrangement NDIS