How to use your NDIS funds for Short Term Accommodation or Respite

Do you need a break from your usual home environment? Do you want to try new things and meet new people? Do you want to give your carers some time off from their caring role? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be interested in Short Term Accommodation or Respite.

Short Term Accommodation or Respite is a type of support that the NDIS can fund for participants who need to live out of home for a short period. It covers the cost of your care and accommodation for up to 14 days at a time. You can choose to stay with other people or by yourself, depending on your preferences and needs.

Short Term Accommodation or Respite can have many benefits for you and your carers, such as:

• Giving you the opportunity to experience different settings and activities

• Helping you to develop new skills and friendships

• Supporting your independence and confidence

• Providing you with a safe and comfortable place to stay

• Giving your carers a chance to rest and recharge

• Maintaining your current living situation by preventing burnout and stress

How do you get Short Term Accommodation or Respite in your plan?

If you want your plan to include funding for Short Term Accommodation or Respite, you will need to ask your NDIA planner or LAC at your planning meeting or review. In this meeting, you should explain how much support you need and bring as much evidence as you can. The NDIS generally requires a lot of evidence to give you Short Term Accommodation or Respite funding.

Some of the evidence that you can provide are:

• A letter from your doctor or therapist explaining how Short Term Accommodation or Respite will benefit your health and wellbeing

• A letter from your carer explaining how Short Term Accommodation or Respite will support their caring role and prevent carer fatigue

• A report from a previous provider showing how Short Term Accommodation or Respite has helped you achieve your goals

• A quote from a potential provider showing the cost and availability of Short Term Accommodation or Respite

The NDIS will assess your request based on reasonable and necessary criteria. This means that they will consider whether Short Term Accommodation or Respite is:

• Related to your disability

• Effective and beneficial for you

• Good value for money

• Not something that is normally provided by other systems, such as health or education

How do you use your Short Term Accommodation or Respite funding?

Usually, the NDIS funds up to 28 days of Short Term Accommodation or Respite per year. You can use your funding flexibly, depending on your needs and preferences. For example, you might want to use it in a block of up to 14 days at a time or for one weekend a month.

The NDIS funds standard rates for Short Term Accommodation or Respite. You can find the rates in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. Generally, the funding is for a group price, unless there is evidence that you require individual support because of your disability. This means you may share support with others unless you need individual support because of your disability.

If you already have funding in your Core budget, you can use this for Short Term Accommodation or Respite. You can choose to use your Core budget on a range of supports like Short Term Accommodation or Respite to suit your needs. You should think about the best way to use your budget to pursue the goals in your plan.

You can choose any registered provider that offers Short Term Accommodation or Respite services. You can find providers on the NDIS Provider Finder Tool or ask other participants, carers, or support coordinators for recommendations. You should compare different providers based on their quality, availability, location, price, and suitability for your needs.

Once you find a provider that meets your needs, you can contact them and book your stay. You should discuss with them what kind of support and accommodation they offer, what activities they have planned, what food they provide and what items you need to bring. You should also inform them of your special needs or preferences.

If you are looking for an experience and an opportunity to access Short Term Accommodation/Respite then phone Dana on 0429 477 987.