Questions that are often asked
Answered here, to help you out
FAQs
Over the years, working closely with NDIS participants, their family members, relatives, and others, we have encountered numerous questions. Some proved to be roadblocks, and some led them to more information. Finding answers to these questions has guided them through the process, making it easy to navigate with clarity and enabling them to take the next steps on their journey. Here, we have compiled those questions and more to help you when looking for specialised and trusted NDIS care and support. If you have a question or more, feel free to send it across, and we will be happy to answer it for you.
What is the NDIS?
The national disability insurance scheme provides funding to eligible individuals in Australia with a permanent and significant disability to access supports and services that increase their independence and participation in the community.
Who is eligible for the NDIS?
Eligibility typically depends on age (usually 9 to 65 when applying), residency status (Australian citizen, permanent resident, or protected special category visa holder), and having a permanent disability that significantly impacts daily life.
What does “Reasonable and Necessary” mean?
This refers to supports that are related to your disability needs, represent value for money, are likely to be effective, and help you achieve your goals. While not including your day-to-day living costs, unrelated to your disability.
Do I need a NDIS plan to have services from Lifest Healthcare?
No, Lifest can provide a fee for services. These are out-of-pocket payments based on the NDIS price guide. Lifest HealthCare can also work with other funding bodies on a case-by-case basis. Give us a call on 1300 523 524 to discuss your options.
What NDIS experience does Lifest Healthcare have?
Loads! Lifest HealthCare was founded in 2019, By Maria Mervin, a Registered Nurse, who has extensive experience within the complex medical care, medication management, and hospital discharges into specialised disability accommodations. Maria and her team all share her passion of compassionate care, working with a person-centred and trauma informed approach, to ensure the best outcomes for you to live your best life.
How does Lifest healthcare help participants build their capacity and independence rather than just doing it for them?
At Lifest HealthCare, we appreciate that everyone is different, there is never one way of doing things. We build a care plan around you from the very start. When our onboarding specialist meets with you, they will ask you questions about what you think and feel about your life and support, even if you have a formal guardian that decides things for you. Your voice is important to us, and we work with you to include your voice, within the decision-making framework. Over time we update this information, based on your needs and NDIS goals. We train our staff to break down your goals into step-by-step processes, and we meet you where you are at, so we achieve your goals- your way in your time. If you need a little more assistance with us doing some things for you, we can do this, but we will discuss this with you first.
What is Lifest Healthcare's approach to cultural diversity and inclusion?
Lifest Healthcare team is a diverse team, with employees from all ethnic backgrounds and beliefs. We believe in meeting people where they are at, without prejudice or judgement. We are a continuous learning organisation and even have employees with permanent disabilities. We are LGBTQ+ friendly.
How do you match me with support workers? Can I choose my worker, and what happens if I am happy with the match?
During the intake process, we will discuss your preferences and expectations of your support worker. From here, we build the team based on those discussions. If we don’t have any support workers that meet your expectations such as training needs- we will train or recruit new staff for your team. We are working on improving this process and you can always give us feedback on what is working or not and we can make changes together.
Do you have a policy regarding conflict of interest, and how do you ensure the recommendations you make are in my best interest?
Yes, Lifest Healthcare prides ourselves on our conflict-of-interest policy, we talk to you about this during the intake/ onboarding stage. You can find a copy here. We ensure our recommendations are in your best outcome by giving you more than one option. If you are unsure of the recommendations we are providing, we can support you to talk this through with an advocate.
Who is an advocate?
An advocate is a person or group who publicly supports, defends or pleads for an individual. Helping them to speak up for their rights, needs, and interests, especially when they need extra support. An advocate is not employed by Lifest Healthcare, making them impartial with their support.
If I am unhappy, how can I communicate this to Lifest Healthcare?
You can do this in several ways. You can call your direct area coordinator who will discuss the situation and implement a plan for change, if this did not solve the issue. You can email or call the Service Manager, if this does not resolve your issue, you can send an email or use the contact page on the website and if this does not solve the problem you can contact the safeguarding commission.
What does Lifest Healthcare think about “nothing with us, without us?
This is a very important question, you know what you want in your life, and how you want to live it, Lifest Healthcare builds your support around you, so we include you in every decision, every action and give you the opportunity to provide feedback to ensure we are continuously improving for you.
Service Related FAQs
Supported Independent Living
What is Supported Independent Living?
Supported Independent Living is a NDIS-supported service that offers support and care to participants to live their lives independently by upskilling their life skills. This personalised support can help participants to live by themselves or in shared spaces with others.
What does Supported Independent Living cover?
Supported Independent Living covers everyday life skills like personal care, grooming, toileting, cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, meal preparation, cooking, and developing life skills like budgeting, travel skills, and social skills. It also covers assisting with medication management and attending medical appointments, providing supervision to promote personal safety and implementing behaviour support plans.
What does Supported Independent Living funding not cover?
SIL funding does not include rent/mortgage expenses, utilities & groceries items, home modification bills, mainstream services like health services not related to your disability support.
Individualised Living Option
What is an Individualised Living Option?
Individualised Living Option (ILO) is a flexible, person-centred approach to home and living support under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia.
Who should not opt for ILO?
ILO is not recommended for those who:
- Need high-intensity, 24/7 rostered support: This level of care usually points towards Supported Independent Living (SIL).
- Need registered nursing care: ILO is not designed to fund complex clinical or medical care requirements.
- Are seeking funding for the house: ILO funds the support, not the rent, mortgage, or standard household bills (food, electricity, internet).
Short Term Respite
What is Short Term Respite service?
Short Term Respite is an NDIS service that offers a break to NDIS participants and their caregivers without disrupting the support needed by the participant. This service helps the caregiver take a planned break, while the participant is shifted to a temporary space with equal care and support, as needed by them.
Who is not eligible for Short Term Respite?
Participants who already receive extensive paid support (like those in Supported Independent Living – SIL) or those who do not live with informal support are usually not eligible for STR.
What is the annual limit for Short term Respite service?
Most eligible participants can access funding for up to 28 days per calendar year.
Medium Term Accommodation
What is Medium Term Accommodation service?
Medium term Accommodation is a temporary housing solution that is provided to an NDIS participant while they are waiting for their long term accommodation to be ready.
What does MTA not fund?
Medium Term Accommodation does not fund everyday living expenses like food, internet, personal utilities like electricity/gas), or personal care supports.
Are other supports like SIL covered under Medium Term Accommodation?
No other support services are not covered under Medium Term Accommodation. Any additional support like Supported Independent Living (SIL), personal care, or transport, must be funded separately through other relevant support categories in your NDIS plan (usually from your Core Supports budget).
Community Access Support
What is Community Access Support?
Community Access Support (often referred to as Social and Community Participation) is a person-centered support designed to help you live a full, connected life. It moves beyond just “being present” to “meaningfully participating” in society.
What does Community Access Support fund and not fund?
It is important to understand the “Support vs. Activity” rule: NDIS Funds: The cost of the support person (their time, their expertise) and sometimes the transport to get there. NDIS Does NOT Fund: The cost of the activity itself. This includes ticket prices, entry fees, meals, drinks, or registration fees (e.g., your soccer club membership fee). These are considered everyday living costs that everyone has to pay.
In-Home Support
What is In-Home Support service?
In-Home Support through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is designed to help participants live more independently with support that provides safe everyday experiences in their own homes. These supports are typically funded under the Core Supports and Capacity Building budgets.
What is not covered within In-Home Support service?
It’s important to distinguish between support and living costs. The NDIS will pay for the person helping you, but they generally will not pay for:
- Rent or Mortgages: These are considered everyday living costs.
- Groceries: You must pay for your own food (though the NDIS can pay for the worker to help you shop/cook).
- Utility Bills: Electricity, water, and Wi-Fi are the participant’s responsibility.
- General Furniture: Unless it is specialized Assistive Technology (like a hospital bed or a lift-chair).
Centre-Based Support and Group Participation
What is Centre-Based Supports and Group Participation service?
Centre-Based Supports are Services delivered at a dedicated facility (a community venue, hub, centre, or clinic) rather than in the home or community.
Who is not eligible for Centre-Based Supports and Group Participation?
NDIS usually won’t fund the Centre-Based Supports and Group Participation if they are:
- Just supervision
- Replacing school or education
- Not clearly linked to disability-related needs or goals
Daily Living and Assistance with Self-Care
What is Daily Living and Assistance with Self-Care service?
Daily Living and Self-Care Assistance is a core NDIS support designed to help you live as independently as possible. It focuses on the essential tasks you need to get through your day.
Can you help understand what kind of support I need right now?
If you contact us on 1300 523 524, a member of the Lifest Healthcare team can help you determine what disability support services you require for your specific needs.
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