NDIS support cut for stroke survivor: What it means for you

Regional NDIS Community Faces Double Blow: Unexplained Office Closure and Deep Funding Cuts

A Sudden Turn of Events: Peter Barry’s Story

Peter Barry was looking forward to a fresh start, planning to sell his home in Colac, Victoria, and move to Western Australia for a new job in the mining industry. His son’s family had already secured work for him there, but life took an unexpected turn.

In May 2019, just before his move, Peter experienced a stroke. He found himself unable to get up after falling at home. A friend later found him and rushed him to hospital, where he learned that, at 58, he was paralysed on his left side.

While Peter has since regained some movement, allowing him to hold objects with his left hand, the stroke profoundly changed his life. He can no longer work, lost his truck licence, and now relies on a modified car for transport.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) became a vital lifeline for Peter, particularly providing a motorised scooter that gives him independence for daily errands. “I’d be lost without this thing,” he shared, highlighting the importance of crucial equipment.

Local Services Under Strain: The Colac Office Mystery

A Sudden Closure Leaves the Community in the Dark

Colac was one of the first Victorian towns to welcome an NDIS office in 2013, providing a crucial in-person point of contact for participants and support workers. However, a recent, unannounced closure lasting about a month has raised serious concerns and impacted the community’s ability to access support.

CoConnect, a local not-for-profit organisation in Colac, helps over 250 people in the region navigate their NDIS plans. Prue Muvengi, a support co-ordinator with CoConnect, described the closure as sudden and unexpected. “We just showed up and no one was there,” she recounted.

Conflicting Explanations and Local Frustration

A spokesperson for the NDIS attributed the closure to heating maintenance issues. However, other government services, including Centrelink, which share the same building, reportedly continued to operate without interruption during this period.

Victorian Liberal MP Richard Riordan, whose electorate includes Colac, voiced strong disapproval. He stated the unannounced closure caused significant distress for many clients and their advocates who depend on face-to-face meetings and advice. This closure coincided with cuts to transport services for 70 residents in local group homes, adding to local challenges.

While the Colac NDIS office has now reopened with staff present, the temporary shutdown created unnecessary stress and confusion. Muvengi noted past instances where she had to physically visit the office because the NDIS couldn’t find or accept forms she had submitted online, underscoring the need for accessible in-person support.

Growing Concerns Over NDIS Funding Reductions

Struggling to Maintain Essential Supports

The office closure comes amidst broader concerns from support providers like CoConnect regarding reductions to NDIS funding packages for people with disability in Colac. These cuts are making it harder for providers to deliver the necessary support.

Peter Barry estimates his own NDIS funding package – the individual budget participants receive for their disability-related supports – has been almost halved since his stroke in 2019. Initially, his plan was generous, providing two hours of in-home support daily.

Now, his in-home support has been cut to just six hours a week, spread across three days. His current funding no longer covers supports like a pool membership, which previously allowed him to access vital aquatic rehabilitation.

“Being on a disability pension, your money just doesn’t go far enough to have little pleasures like that,” Peter shared, highlighting the financial strain. For many participants, such supports are not just “pleasures” but crucial for maintaining health and wellbeing.

NDIS Agency Responds on Funding Decisions

An NDIS spokesperson clarified that participant plans can change after reassessment. They stated that funding decisions are based on individual circumstances and a participant’s “reasonable and necessary” disability-related support needs. This means the NDIS funds supports directly related to a person’s disability that are considered good value for money and effective.

The spokesperson added that while the NDIS might fund assistance for a participant to safely access a pool or gym, it does not typically cover membership fees, viewing these as everyday living costs. The agency also confirmed that recent efforts to combat fraud and non-compliance within the scheme are unrelated to individual participant funding reassessments.

What This Means for You

The experiences in Colac highlight ongoing challenges for NDIS participants and providers, particularly in regional areas. The importance of local, accessible support, clear communication, and consistent funding is clearer than ever.

If you are an NDIS participant experiencing sudden changes to local services or significant reductions in your funding package, remember your rights. You can always ask for a review of NDIS decisions and seek assistance from your support co-ordinator or a local advocacy group.

For service providers, transparent communication with clients about any service disruptions or funding changes is paramount. Advocating for your clients and staying informed about NDIS policy updates remains a critical role.