Everyone wants to live a healthy life and meet their full potential. As a result, key players have made it their business to develop frameworks and plans that make these desires a guarantee to everyone despite their circumstances. Government bodies, private limited companies, and non-governmental organizations are some of the known stakeholders. They have developed plans and strategies to empower individuals suffering from different diseases and disorders in the health sector.
Individuals with mental illnesses and psychosocial difficulties feature in various schemes designed to help them lead healthy and normal lifestyles. Most schemes have a vast network of assistance, from family to psychiatric specialists. NDIS is one of the largest schemes available for people with physical, sensory, cognitive, and psychosocial challenges. The scheme serves hundreds of thousands of people, and the benefits stretch beyond the scheme members. Here are a few tips on how to start your journey with NDIS.
Entitlement for the NDIS
Before anyone enrols for any program, it’s essential to check if you have what it takes to join. NDIS has a list of requirements that one is expected to meet to participate and enjoy the benefits. These include:
Disability category
Although disability describes a wide variety of circumstances, it’s well defined for NDIS enrollment. Therefore, not all individuals with a disability are entitled to the scheme.
To qualify, one must be handicapped. The handicap describes loss or significant alteration in normal body functions, structure, and mental or physical abilities that lead to severe impairment. In addition, there must be evidence of impairment, whether physical, psychological, intellectual, cognitive, sensory, or neurological. Finally, the disability must be permanent for one to join the scheme. Therefore, one may fail to secure the program’s services if their impairment is transient, on treatment, or awaiting treatment. However, the eligibility is unaffected by the origin of the impairment. It is crucial to understand that NDIS will provide assistance to help cope with the effects of the impairment in daily life.
Age limit
Age is a significant restriction to various programs and projects. Similarly, NDIS has constructed an age bracket for interested applicants. Individuals between the ages of seven and sixty-five are the only ones eligible for benefits through NDIS. However, those who fall above or below this bracket are given various optional strategies to participate in NDIS. For example, an early childhood strategy is available to clarify the situation of children and check the possibility of their participation. Moreover, an applicant outside the official age bracket might qualify for assistance through the My Aged Care program.
Nationality
Nationality and residence are critical in the application to NDIS since the government seeks to offer services to people within its jurisdiction. Access to the program is strictly restricted to Australian citizens, permanent residents, and holders of protected special category visas. Furthermore, all NDIS participants must reside in Australia for their application to be successful.
In conclusion, NDIS is a good support system for the disabled in the community. Different benefits are available through the scheme, such as funding and allocation of support coordinators. However, every interested person must meet the stipulated requirements before forwarding their application. If you are uncertain about how to apply for NIDS, help is only a phone call away.