The NDIS is designed to provide reasonable and necessary funding for participants to achieve their goals, increase their independence, and participate fully in community life. To be eligible, there are specific criteria set by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) that you must meet. Let’s break them down.
Core Eligibility Criteria
There are three primary areas of eligibility: Age, Residency, and Disability.
- Age Requirements: To apply for the NDIS, you must be under 65 years of age when you first submit your access request. This is a crucial point, as applications cannot be made once you turn 65. However, if you are already an NDIS participant before your 65th birthday, your NDIS plan and supports will continue after you turn 65.
- Residency Requirements: You must be an Australian citizen, hold a permanent visa, or possess a Protected Special Category Visa. Additionally, you must reside in Australia. This means Australia is your primary home, and you spend most of your time here.
- Disability Requirements: This is often the most detailed part of the eligibility criteria. To meet the disability requirements, you must have:
- A permanent impairment: Your disability must be attributable to one or more intellectual, cognitive, neurological, sensory, physical, or psychosocial impairments that are, or are likely to be, permanent. This means the condition is ongoing and not expected to improve with treatment.
- Substantially reduced functional capacity: This permanent impairment must result in a significantly reduced ability to undertake at least one of the following everyday activities without assistance or specialised equipment:
- Communication
- Social interaction
- Learning
- Mobility
- Self-care
- Self-management
- Impact on social and economic participation: Your impairment must affect your capacity to participate in social or economic life (e.g., work, study, community activities).
- Likelihood of requiring lifelong support: You must be likely to require NDIS support for your lifetime.
Early Intervention Requirements
Even if you don’t fully meet the ‘disability requirements’ yet, you might be eligible under the ‘early intervention’ criteria. This is particularly relevant for children or individuals where early support can significantly reduce the impact of their disability in the future or prevent a decline in functional capacity. If early intervention supports are likely to be beneficial, you may be eligible.
What Does “Permanent and Significant” Mean?
The terms “permanent” and “significant” are key to NDIS eligibility.
- Permanent refers to an impairment that is enduring and not likely to resolve, even with medical treatment. It focuses on the ongoing impact of the impairment.
- Significant means the impairment has a substantial effect on your ability to do everyday activities independently. It’s about how much assistance you need to perform daily tasks compared to someone of the same age without a disability.
How Nonabel Disability Can Assist You
Understanding these criteria and gathering the necessary evidence can be overwhelming. At Nonabel Disability, we are dedicated to simplifying this process. We can help you:
- Understand if you meet the eligibility criteria.
- Gather the required documentation and evidence from health professionals.
- Prepare and submit your NDIS Access Request Form.
- Guide you through the entire NDIS journey, from application to plan implementation.
If you believe you or a loved one might be eligible for NDIS support, don’t hesitate to reach out to Nonabel Disability. We’re here to provide the compassionate and expert assistance you need to access the support you deserve. Contact us today to discuss your unique situation and take the first step towards a more independent and fulfilling life.
