At Simplified Plan Management, we often get asked if the NDIS covers respite care. The answer is yes. The NDIS can provide various supports for a few hours, overnight, or longer, depending on the needs of the participant and their carers. Respite care can be funded by your NDIS Plan where it is considered a “reasonable and necessary” support.
It is important for carers to take breaks from their responsibilities, including a short stay away from home, to help them better manage their own health and improve their well-being.
What is NDIS Respite Care?
Respite care allows both a person with a disability and their carer to take a break or have a change of scenery. It involves alternative care while the usual caregiver is unavailable. Respite can be provided through:
Informal care from friends, family, or informal networks (not funded by the NDIS)
Formal care through paid in-home services or center-based services (may be funded by the NDIS)
Supports such as joining a new community group (may be funded by the NDIS)
Temporary periods of extra personal supports so the person can remain at home when families and/or carers are not available (may be funded by the NDIS).
Short-term Accommodation and Assistance (including Respite)
The NDIS recognizes the importance of supporting family, carers, and support networks. Short stays can provide a break for carers and allow individuals to have a temporary stay away from home when their usual support network isn’t available. Respite care contributes to the health and wellbeing of everyone involved. “Short term accommodation (STA) and assistance” is a broad term covering various types of short-term accommodation supports, including short stays as a form of respite care. Look for “STA and Assistance (Inc. Respite)” in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits guide. These line items cover temporary accommodation supports.
Understanding the Differences Between STA/Respite, Medium Term Accommodation (MTA), and Supported Independent Living (SIL)
Short-Term Accommodation (STA) / Respite: STA, also known as respite care, can be used for a continuous period of up to 28 days or flexibly throughout the year. For example, it can be divided into two sessions of two weeks each or any other variation that suits your needs.
Medium-Term Accommodation (MTA): MTA is an interim accommodation option funded by the NDIS for up to 90 days at a time. It is intended for situations where you need temporary housing, such as when your home is being modified or after being discharged from the hospital and waiting for suitable permanent accommodation.
Supported Independent Living (SIL): SIL provides support to help individuals live as independently as possible, whether in their own home or in specialized accommodation. SIL focuses on the support services provided to participants, not the housing itself. It aims to build the individual's capacity to manage daily tasks and live independently.
How Does Respite Care Under the NDIS Work?
NDIS Respite care is designed to support ongoing caring arrangements between participants and their unpaid carers. It is generally funded for up to 14 days at a time. Longer-term arrangements require different NDIS funding (Medium Term Accommodation or Supported Independent Living). Funding for STA and Assistance (Inc. Respite) appears under Core supports – Assistance with Daily Life in your NDIS Plan. If you have this budget, you can use these funds to purchase respite.
What Does Respite Care Cover?
Respite care covers all basic expenses in a 24-hour period, including:
Short-term accommodation in a suitable facility
Assistance with self-care or community access activities
Overnight support
Food
Negotiated activities.
How Much Does Respite Care Cost?
The NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits set maximum prices based on the day of the week and the ratio of staff to participants. Rates vary for weekdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. The price covers all costs mentioned above, and limits vary for remote regions. It's important to negotiate a price based on the length of stay, level of support needed, and inclusivity of services (e.g., meals and activities).
Respite for Shorter Periods
If respite care is required for less than 24 hours, you may negotiate a reduced rate with the provider. Examples include:
Dusk to dawn respite care
Support for a few hours during the day not covered by other NDIS supports like community participation.
These short-period respite arrangements are typically charged as an hourly fee, subject to maximum hourly rates set by the NDIA for in-home and out-of-home assistance.
How to Get Respite Care and Short-Term Accommodation Funding in Your NDIS Plan
For respite care to be included in your NDIS Plan, it must be considered “reasonable and necessary.” The NDIS also evaluates the support provided by family or informal carers and what is reasonable to expect from them. Being well-prepared for your NDIS Plan or Plan Review meeting is crucial to secure the funding you need.
Steps to Include Respite Care in Your Plan:
Planning and Documentation:
Identify regular times when an informal carer is unavailable, including duration and frequency.
Note any planned holidays or breaks for the carer.
Explain how respite care supports the long-term wellbeing of family members or carers.
Describe how respite care helps you achieve your goals, such as living independently.
Requesting Respite Care:
During your planning or plan review meeting, explicitly request funding for respite care.
Demonstrate that the need for short-term accommodation (STA) or respite is related to your disability.
Highlight how it helps you pursue goals like building skills, increasing independence, participating in the community, and ensuring value for money.
Explain the level of support you need and the role of your informal support network or carers in providing day-to-day support.
Emphasize the impact on both you and your carers and how STA would benefit both parties.
Setting Goals:
Include specific goals in your NDIS Plan, such as:
Goal 1: To be more independent with daily living activities and access the community.
Goal 2: To work towards being independent and able to travel.
Goal 3: To build capacity to manage daily activities.
Goal 4: To build social skills by meeting new people.
Supporting Documentation:
Provide a letter from your carer(s) explaining their role and why respite care would help prevent burnout and improve their ability to support you effectively.
By clearly documenting your needs and demonstrating how respite care supports your goals and overall wellbeing, you increase the likelihood of securing the necessary funding in your NDIS Plan.
Are You Prepared for Your NDIS Plan or Plan Review Meeting?
Preparing for your NDIS Plan or Plan Review meeting can be overwhelming. Simplified Plan Management can help you get started with a free pre-planning session. Our sessions cover:
Giving yourself enough time to prepare
Essential questions to ask yourself
Preparing your records
The value of a support person
Communicating specifics
If you are looking for a plan manager, call us at 0491 090 747 or email info@simplifiedplanmanagement.com.au to arrange a time.
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