Inform issue 26 – Summer 2019

NDIS Feature
informonline.org.au
11
Where do I start?
The first step is to get familiar with
it all. There is a lot to learn and
remember when it comes to the
NDIS, so it is important that you take
the time to understand what the NDIS
is doing for you.
Firstly, read through your plan lineby-line
and make sure that you fully
understand what you are covered for.
As mentioned in issue 25 of Inform
magazine, if this read-through causes
any questions or concerns for you,
make sure that you write them down
for later. Once you’ve got your head
around your plan, log into your NDIS
participant portal and get familiar
with this interface. This is particularly
important if you are self-managing
your plan and your funds, as this
interface allows you to access your
funds and pay invoices.
Hang on, what if I’m not happy
with my plan?
If you have done your initial readthrough
of your plan and you think
that it doesn’t meet your needs, you
are able to question these decisions
and request a review.
If you would like to request a
review of the NDIS’s decision you
can contact the NDIA – either in
writing, over the phone or via email
– and request an internal review
of a decision. In this initial contact,
briefly explain why you think this
decision is not correct. This will
start a process where someone at
the NDIA will review your plan and
will be in contact with you when a
new decision has been made. This
process can take some time.
It is important for you to
know that you can still
use your NDIS plan even
when you have submitted
it for a review
review, as using the funds doesn’t
mean that you ‘accept’ the plan you
aren’t happy with. So although your
plan might be in review, it doesn’t
mean that you have to go without
supports while you wait!
What if I am happy with my plan?
If you have received your plan and
you’re happy then you are all ready
to go.
If you are already receiving services
from a service provider and you want
to continue to use this provider, the
first thing you should do is contact
them and tell them that you have
received your plan. Doing this means
that your provider can prepare for
your plan, and ensures that your
service continues without any
interruptions. When telling them about
your plan, your provider may ask
for some information from you, and
they will use this to create a service
agreement which outlines what
services you’ll receive from them.
If you are new to receiving services, or would
like to try a new provider, why not use our
‘How to pick a provider’ guide in issue 25 of
Inform magazine and on our website?
Find out more at:
www.informonline.org.au/how-to-pick-a-ndisprovider/
It is important for you to know that
you can still use your NDIS plan even
when you have submitted it for a