Anyone started with the NDIS?

[CheerBear]

That all sounds really positive @eth. Interesting to hear you mention that it's a different world in terms of choices in services and what's available. I can imagine how that may become quite overwhelming but also maybe exciting in a way too. 

Thanks for sharing your journey with us all here. It's definitely helpful to hear how you're approaching it and what you're discovering (I think). I keep making my weekly call to the NDIA and keep getting the same response of it taking a long time to sort through lots of applications. Apparently someone 'looked' at my application a few days ago so maybe I'll hear something soon. It's been 2 months since I submitted it now (a bit longer than the 21 days stated in the guidelines!).

@Appleblossom really interesting to hear what you shared also. I found this article about the task force. This one looks like it's about fraud and organised crime. Also found this one about a person who was in the NDIS ads having their application rejected. It may be the one you mentioned Apple. 

[eth]

Hey @CheerBear It's good to hear that at least someone has 'looked at' your application.  I hope your hopes come true and you get a favourable response soon.

[CheerBear]

Thanks @eth. I feel kind of in limbo with this and c-link stuff at the moment. It's going to be much better when I know what's going on and can work with it!

[eth]

I sooooooooo know how you feel @CheerBear  Sending supportive wishes your way.

[Appleblossom]

@ethI think the article @CheerBear linked implied the fraud task force would be looking at providers and consumers.  

[eth]

Hi @Appleblossom @CheerBear when I read a story like the guy in the ads being knocked back and going through months of depression while trying to jump through NDIS hoops I really feel like reaching out and offering my support.  That was me last year.  What an ordeal it can be. 

 Most people with MH issues ('psychosocial disability' as NDIS/A calls it) don't have anything like the sort of support I've had to mount an internal review, let alone an external appeal with the AAT.  You have to do the internal review and get knocked back (which for some people is the 3rd time they get declined access) before you're allowed to take the NDIS/A to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.  And then it can take months to either have a concilliation or end up going all the way to a hearing.  In my case NDIS/A only conceded and accepted me 2 days before the hearing was scheduled.     1 1/2 years after my initial application.

I highly recommend Disability Advocates (in every state/territory) once the process reaches the external appeal stage.  They also got me a legal aid lawyer and as a team they were awesome.  

So the primary focus of every application has to be 1. permanence of the disability  and 2. functional impacts of the disability.  If both those are proved in specialist reports then a person should be accepted.  

Functional impacts must be in the areas of :

Mobility/Motor skills

Communication

Social Interaction

Learning

Self-Management

Self-Care

These 2 components are ESSENTIAL to get in under Section 24 of the NDIA Act.

NDIS/A is really black and white when it comes to the above.  Nearly all people with psychosocial disability (MH) are declined under this section of the Act.

Once again hoping to help.  @Bunniekins @Queenie @Mazarita @Twinklelight @Dashee @Teej @outlander and I'm not sure who else to tag - if any of you know anyone else going thru' NDIS application please tag them to this post.  It's probably the most important information I've share on this thread.  Thanks.

[CheerBear]

I've just finished up an appointment with my mental health worker and am feeling like I've had my first big NDIS related blow (aside from the horrible feelings of the paperwork). My MH worker works for an organisation that isn't going to be part of the NDIS and therefore won't exist once it has fully rolled out here. I've been thinking about what that may mean for the workers in the organisation and how if it was me I'd be pretty keen on finding more secure, longer term employment. And that's exactly what my MH worker told me today that she had managed to do.

We've been working together for almost 18 months and she's been a hugely helpful support. We work really well as a team, she knows me and the way I tizz out and then come OK again, and she's one of my go-to people when things get shaky. I feel pretty sad at the idea of not having her on my team anymore and a bit ugh at it all. I'm happy for her as it's a great job and opportunity, but I am sad for me and frustrated with all of the changes.

I'll be allocated another worker (I guess until they secure another job too) and will have support through what comes of my application, but it won't be the same. I very much want the process to be over soon so I know where I stand and can move ahead one way or another with it all 😞

[eth]

Sorry @CheerBear  I only just saw your post above.  I understand feeling concerned about having new support workers and hope you get good ones.  I'm about to do that too.  I know it's getting harder to find ones who aren't NDIS funded so I wish you luck with that.  PHaMs has funding til June next year I've heard - might be worth checking out.

 I'm planning to get back into checking out NDIS procedures for when you get your plan (there are quite a few) and organising the info I've already collected.  This week I'm meeting a coordinator of supports and a plan manager and hope to have new support workers by the following week.  I'm feeling quite anxious about all the change again.

I also have to get an access code and get onto the myplace portal on the MyGov website for NDIS participants to activate my plan.  Not sure what happens immediately from that.  Anxious and in need of help to do this, but not finding a good time to do it with sil.

[CheerBear]

Hiya @eth. Thanks for the heads up re PHaMs. I should have a worked allocated from the service I am currently with until I move to the NDIS, or for a good a while at least. It's definitely not leaving me without support, but it is definitely impacting the support I receive in a few ways.

How long do you think it may be before you have your supports organised and in place? I have so many questions (lots which I'm sure I'll be able to find the answers to by reading through this thread!) but none which would be helpful for me spend time working out until I know the outcome of my application. I heard on Friday that other clients using the same organisation I do have heard the outcome of their applications already, most who submitted theirs after I did. I'm not sure if that's a good thing, a not so good thing, or a not-a-thing, and it's a waste of precious heads energy trying to work that out, but I have a sneaking suspicion I'll hear very soon.

Wishing you the best, as always with it all and looking forward to hearing how you get on.

[eth]

Hi @CheerBear  I'm glad to hear your access to a support worker will continue for the time being.  I really hope you hear the outcome of your application soon and that you're accepted on your first try.

I'm hoping to have supports in place inside the next 2 weeks as it's already been 19 days since the plan officially started.  It took 11 of those days just to have contact with the organisation NDIS referred me to for coordination of supports (CoS), 3 more days to have an 'intake assessment' with them and now (day 18 since actually being told what is in the plan)it'll be a week passed before I get to meet the actual CoS. Should be thurs or fri this week.  Also meeting a plan manager that I found myself on Friday.  Once the CoS is in place referrals to support workers can happen. 

Part of the delay is being caused because sil went back to work mon to wed last week and I need her with me for meetings with new people so they have to be on a thur or fri.  I just don't feel safe with new people (especially males which the intake person is).  If I could overcome that it would all be happening a lot faster.   And I'd have less time to dwell on anxiety and 'what ifs'.   Bro is apparently only home for a couple of extremely hectic work days and then away again for a few days at least, so he doesn't have time to do any meetings with me.