NDIS Participant’s Support Scaled Back: What It Means For You

Stroke Survivor’s NDIS Funding Halved as Regional Office Temporarily Shuts Down

Peter Barry, a Colac resident, was on the cusp of a new life chapter, preparing to sell his home and join his son in Western Australia’s mining industry. However, fate intervened dramatically in May 2019.

Barry collapsed at home, unknowingly suffering a stroke. A friend found him, leading to an urgent hospitalisation where he learned, at 58, he was paralysed on his left side. His plans for work and relocation were shattered.

“I’m laying on my back talking to myself. ‘Get up, get up, you silly bastard’,” Barry recounted. “And I couldn’t.”

Finding Independence with NDIS Support

While Barry has since regained some movement, his life changed profoundly. He can no longer work and drives a modified car. Despite these challenges, he credits the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) with helping him regain some independence.

A motorised scooter, provided through his NDIS plan, has been particularly vital. “I’d be lost without this thing,” he shared, highlighting its importance for trips to the shops and maintaining a connection to his community.

Sudden Closure of Local NDIS Office Causes Stress

Colac was one of the first Victorian locations to host a local NDIS office when the scheme began in 2013. These offices provide a crucial point of contact for participants and support workers to meet staff in person, helping navigate the often-complex system.

However, the Colac NDIS office recently closed suddenly for about a month without clear explanation, raising concerns within the community and impacting vital support services.

Impact on Participants and Service Providers

CoConnect, a local not-for-profit organisation, assists over 250 people in the south-west region with their NDIS plans. Prue Muvengi, a support co-ordinator with CoConnect, expressed surprise at the closure. “We just showed up and no one was there,” she said.

The NDIS stated the closure was due to heating maintenance. However, other government services in the same building, like Centrelink, continued to operate. This discrepancy fueled frustration among those needing NDIS assistance.

Victorian Liberal MP Richard Riordan, representing the Polwarth electorate, criticised the unplanned closure. He noted it caused “great distress” to clients, especially those who rely on in-person meetings. He also highlighted that the closure coincided with cuts to transport services for 70 residents in local group homes.

While the office has since reopened, Ms. Muvengi explained that the closure created unnecessary stress and confusion. She pointed to past instances where online submissions were not found, necessitating an in-person visit to the office.

Concerns Over Reduced Funding Packages

Beyond the office closure, Ms. Muvengi and other providers are worried about recent reductions in NDIS funding packages for people with disabilities in Colac. This trend makes it harder to provide the necessary support.

Peter Barry himself estimates his funding package, the budget allocated for his disability-related supports, has been cut by roughly half since his stroke in 2019. Initially, his first package was generous, and he didn’t use all of it.

Now, his in-home support hours have significantly dropped from two hours daily to six hours a week, spread over three days. His current funding also no longer covers supports like a pool membership for aquatic rehabilitation.

“Being on a disability pension, your money just doesn’t go far enough to have little pleasures like that,” Barry explained.

NDIS Explains Funding Decisions

An NDIS spokesperson clarified that a participant’s plan funding can change after reassessment. Decisions are based on individual circumstances and the “reasonable and necessary” disability-related support needs of the client.

The spokesperson noted that while the NDIS might fund support to help a participant access a pool or gym safely (e.g., a support worker to assist them), it does not cover the cost of memberships, as these are considered everyday living expenses.

The agency also affirmed that recent measures to address fraud and non-compliance within the NDIS are separate from individual funding decisions, which remain based on assessed needs.

What This Means for Participants and Providers

The experience in Colac highlights the ongoing need for accessible, consistent support from the NDIS, especially in regional areas where in-person services are often vital. The reduction in funding packages also remains a significant concern for many participants and their families.

If you are an NDIS participant experiencing significant changes to your plan, or if you are a provider noticing a trend in funding reductions, it is important to understand your options. You have the right to request a review of your plan decisions if you believe your “reasonable and necessary” supports are not being met. Reaching out to your Support Co-ordinator, Local Area Co-ordinator (LAC), or advocacy services can provide guidance and assistance during these processes.