Understanding the NDIS: how does the scheme work and am I eligible for funding?
On July 1 2016, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) moved from a trial phase to a full national roll-out. In this series on Understanding the NDIS, we explore how the scheme works, why Australia needs it and the issues to be addressed before eligible Australians, such as many Indigenous people with disability, can receive the benefits they are entitled to.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has been trialled in selected Australian sites over the past three years. It is now providing funding packages to more than 25,000 Australians under 65 who have a permanent impairment that substantially reduces their intellectual, cognitive, neurological, sensory, physical, psychological and social functioning.
There are 4.3 million Australians aged 16 to 65 with disability and many will not meet the criteria to be eligible for the NDIS. They may still receive assistance through the scheme’s newly introduced programproviding information, linkages and referrals to connect people with disability, their families and carers with community and mainstream supports.
Source: The Conversation