Managing your NDIS plan can feel overwhelming, especially if you have lots of different supports and types of funding. To help NDIS participants stay on top of things, the NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency) offers plan management: a type of disability service that helps you manage your NDIS funding. Not sure what this looks like and want to learn more? We’ll explain how NDIS plan management works, what’s involved in choosing a plan manager, and this support can help you get the most out of your funding.
How can NDIS plan management help me?
If you are a NDIS participant, NDIS plan managers can help you:
- Manage and monitor your NDIS funding budget balances
- Manage your NDIS claims, and disburse funds to NDIS support providers when they deliver services to you
- Give you regular statements on the financial status of your NDIS plan
- Notify you if you are over or under-utilising your plan
- Give you more choice and control over how your plan is implemented through financial management capacity building supports (read more about this below).
- Give you advice on how to best use your funding, which builds your financial capacity and knowledge
- Support you with budget management and administration activities, so you can achieve your NDIS plan’s goals and outcomes.
The type of services a plan manager can provide falls under two categories: the financial administration of your plan (plan management), and financial management capacity building supports.
The financial administration of your plan includes many of the services listed above, such as managing and monitoring your budget, disbursing funds on your behalf to support providers, giving you regular updates about the financial status of your plan, and maintaining records.
Financial management capacity building supports is a separate type of funding. It focuses on strengthening your ability to manage your supports, such as building your financial skills, helping you monitor budgets and pay providers in line with services agreements, and enhancing your ability to direct your own supports. The aim is to help you develop the skills needed to self-manage your NDIS plan.
It’s worth noting that a NDIS plan manager is not responsible for helping NDIS participants explore and connect with providers, broader systems of supports, and community supports. They are also not expected to maintain a participant’s NDIS supports through rostering services, or provide disability related advocacy services.
What are the different ways I can manage my NDIS plan?
There are three main ways you can manage your NDIS plan:
- Agency managed – the NDIA can manage your NDIS funds, and directly pay registered support providers on your behalf.
- Self managed – you can manage your own funds. In this instance, the NDIS will reimburse you for the NDIS supports received.
- Plan managed – you can choose a NDIS registered plan management provider to help you manage your plan. The provider will receive funds from the NDIA and disburse them to providers of services on your behalf. They can also purchase supports for you from registered or unregistered providers. Plan management providers are required to be registered with the NDIS Commission (except those in Western Australia).
If I choose a NDIS plan management provider, how will they partner with me?
Under the NDIS, you have a choice of providers, and can select the one you feel is best for your needs. A plan manager must work collaboratively with you – not do things for you or make decisions on your behalf. They should help you understand the funds available in your plan, and give you independent advice on how to use this funding to achieve your goals and outcomes.
This means that your NDIA plan manager must keep you informed about your funding. Plan management providers must give you regular (at least once a month) reports of plan spending, and the balance of funds that remains in your NDIS plan. They should also let you know if you are at risk of exceeding your NDIS plan limit, or paying for supports that aren’t funded by your NDIS plan.
How is NDIS plan management funded?
You can get plan management included in your funding by telling NDIS staff (for example, your Local Area Coordinator, NDIA representative or support coordinator) at your next planning meeting that you would like support from an NDIS plan manager.
Plan management support is available to all NDIS participants, and there is no eligibility criteria that you need to meet. If you ask for plan management services, separate funding will be included in your NDIS plan to pay for the services of a plan management provider. This comes under ‘Improved Life Choices’, one of the sub-categories in the Capacity Building funding category in the NDIS.
Plan management services come at no cost to you, as payment comes from your NDIS plan and is funded separately from your other supports and services. If you are using an NDIS Plan Manager, the provider cannot charge more than the price limits outlined in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits.
How do I find a NDIS plan manager?
You can find a plan management provider by contacting your LAC or support coordinator, getting recommendations from other friends on the NDIS, using the Provider Finder on the NDIS myplace participant portal, or by searching for providers online.
When looking for a NDIS plan management provider, you should check that they are registered with the NDIS Commission. You will also need to establish a service agreement with them, so you have a clear understanding of how they will support you. A service agreement states the services that will be provided by the plan management provider, how long these services will last, the roles and responsibilities of you and the provider, how you will resolve problems, and what will happen if you want to change or cancel their services.
Home Caring’s NDIS Plan Management services will help you stay on top of your NDIS plan, so you can get on with enjoying life. With years of NDIS experience behind us, our team of experts will take the stress out of managing your budget, paying service providers and keeping track of your spending. We’ll give you freedom to live the life you choose.
What should I expect when I first hire a NDIS plan management provider?
When you first meet with your NDIS plan manager, they should discuss your supports and goals with you, as stated in your NDIS plan. They should also:
- provide information about their responsibilities and yours, in alignment with your NDIS plan
- confirm if there is currently enough NDIS funding in your plan for supports
- agree on your preferred method for invoicing, walk you through their process for receiving and managing invoices, and work out how you will have visibility over provider invoices that are sent to them
- go through their responsibilities and yours when it comes to monitoring and managing your NDIS plan budget
- talk to you about how you will both resolve disputes, what that process involves, and how they will take feedback on board.
Can I change my NDIS plan management provider?
You can change your plan management provider at any time during the life of your NDIS plan, as long as you comply with the notice periods agreed on in your service period.
It’s a good idea to discuss your decision with your plan management provider. If you can’t reach an agreement about their services or resolve any problems you may have, they should do what they can to help you transition to a new plan management provider.
NDIS plan management with Home Caring
Home Caring’s NDIS Plan Management services will help you stay on top of your NDIS plan, so you can get on with enjoying life. With years of NDIS experience behind us, our team of experts will take the stress out of managing your budget, paying service providers and keeping track of your spending. We’ll give you freedom to live the life you choose.
Looking for the best NDIS plan manager near you? We provide NDIS plan managers in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia. To chat to someone about services in your area, please get in touch.
Our team of plan managers for NDIS will also work closely with you, taking the time to understand your unique needs and circumstances. We aim to help you maintain a NDIS plan that helps you achieve your personal goals. Our services are tailored to you, and we’re always available to answer any questions you may have.
With years of experience and expertise behind us in the disability sector, we understand not only how the NDIS works, but what participants need to have a good customer service experience.
We’ll help you feel good about your spending, and confident that you’re paying invoices on time. And we’ll provide help with financial management of your plan, so you can spend more time engaging with your service provider. Our wonderful service will help you stay on top of your plan.
