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Your NDIS Plan: Capacity Building Supports

Your NDIS Plan: Capacity Building Supports
Capacity Building supports in your plan could be flexible or stated - do you know the difference?

General Information

NDIS plans can be confusing, especially if this is your first plan. The following is general information which applies to the most common Capacity Building supports. We have also given examples of what supports might be funded from each category. We have separate posts explaining Core and Capital supports. If you have these in your plan, check out our other blog posts!

You may not have been funded for each category listed below or may have funding for different categories. Check your plan to see which one/s apply to you. The NDIS guideline called “Your Plan” provides further information around using your plan.

NDIS letter
  • This lets you know that your plan has been approved. It also shows the dates and total amount that was funded.
  • There may be extra information at the end of this, before your actual plan, which could mention:
    • Supports the NDIS has not funded you for, and why.
    • Restrictions on some of your supports.
  • You should check to see if there is any information in this section that affects how you can use your plan.
The Actual Plan

The first page shows your “My NDIS Contact”. This could be an NDIS planner, an Early Childhood Partner, or Local Area Coordinator (LAC). This is the person you contact if you need more specific information about funded supports in your plan.

Capacity Building Supports

These supports help you to increase your skills and develop independence.

  • Capacity Building Supports are often ‘Stated’. That means you must use your funding the way it has been described in your plan. 
  • Supports from one category cannot be swapped to another. For example, you cannot use therapy funding to pay for Support Coordination.
  • Providers can claim travel (time and kms) and non-face to face tasks, including report writing. They can also charge fees if you cancel supports less than 2-7 days prior, depending on the support. You need to agree to these charges in advance (this is usually in your service agreement). Check with your provider what charges they may claim.

Choice and Control

  • This is a monthly payment for your plan management supports.
  • Your plan manager (that’s us at OnTime Plan Services!) pays invoices for your supports.
  • We send you a monthly statement that shows what supports we’ve paid for, and how much funding you have left. You can also track your funding in our Entiprius portal.
  • We can only pay for NDIS supports and those approved in your plan.

Improved Daily Living

  • Therapy funding to teach people to do new things or do things better.
  • Examples: Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Key Worker, Dietitian, Nursing. Your plan may state specific therapies that you can use your funding for. If it does, you can only use those therapies. If you’re unsure, contact the NDIS, your LAC or Support Coordinator.
  • Make sure to leave aside 2-5 hours for report writing per therapist for your end of plan review.

Tips to reduce cancellation charges
If you’re sick, ask to change in-person appointments to telehealth appointments if possible. Or ask your therapist to use this time for any research, phone calls or letter writing that is needed.

Support Coordination & Psychosocial Recovery Coaches

  • Assist participants to understand and make the best use of their plans.
  • Connect participants with needed services, supports and resources.
  • Assists in any dealings with the NDIS. For example: organising and submitting reports from providers before a plan review.

Improved Relationships / Behaviour Support

  • Specialised assistance to address significant behaviours of concern.
  • Providers develop strategies to address harmful / concerning behaviours. They also train carers and others in implementing these.

Health and Wellbeing

  • Disability related supports to help you improve your health and wellbeing.
  • Examples of providers: Exercise Physiologists, Personal Trainers, Dietitians.

Increased Social and Community Participation

  • Skills-based learning to develop independence in accessing your community.
  • Examples of supports: Group Social activities, Public Transport training.

Finding and Keeping a Job

  • Supports that help you engage in employment.
  • Examples: Workplace assessments, learning skills to be ready to find a job.
  • Note – the NDIS does not fund courses / education.

NDIS Supports

  • Must be reasonable & necessary for you, and in line with your goals.
  • Must be spent ‘in line with your plan’. If the NDIS has given instructions on how your funding is to be used, we need to follow that.
  • Must be budgeted so you do not run out of funding early.
  • Must be an NDIS support. If in doubt, ask!
  • Invoices and reimbursements have to meet guidelines.

Need Help?

You must use your plan as the NDIS intended you to use it. If you are not sure about anything, get in touch with someone and ask them. You could ask:

  • Your support coordinator or psychosocial recovery coach, if you have one.
  • Your “My NDIS Contact” as listed on your plan. This may be a planner or LAC.
  • Ask the NDIS via email, call 1800 800 110 or do a webchat.

Further Information

Consult the NDIS Plan Implementation Directory for further assistance.

If your plan has Funding Periods, you might also like to read through our relevant blog post. 

As always, feel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions.

Email: accounts@ontimeplanservices.com.au
Phone: 03 5446 5400
Text: 0429 800 482