Assistive Technology Suppliers New Zealand’s Post

Changes to Purchasing Rules and Equipment and Modification Services. Purchasing Rules: We have made changes to the Purchasing Rules to clarify how people can use their disability support funding. Purchasing Rules describe what disability support funding can be used to buy, when using Individualised Funding, Enhanced Individualised Funding, Choice in Community Living, Personal Budgets or Carer Support. These changes do not affect the amount of funding you are allocated. Equipment and Modification Services (EMS): Whaikaha is working with equipment and modification assessors and providers to put in place prioritisation measures. This means that people with the most urgent need will be prioritised for Equipment or Modification Services. Why are these changes happening? Whaikaha commissions disability support services for almost 50,000 people and funds equipment and home and vehicle modifications for approximately 100,000 people through Equipment and Modification Services (EMS). There is increasing pressure across the disability support system in both the demand for, and cost of these services and supports.    You can find out information about the changes on our website: https://bit.ly/3TjFdIl Image description: purple background with pale yellow text that says, "Changes to Purchasing Rules and EMS”. The top left corner has a faded tohu design, a series of parallel lines with intersecting curved elements. .

This is poorly thought through policy making. The below changes are incredibly unhelpful for parents, caregivers, and families of a disabled child. This sort of punitive approach shows utter ignorance of the realities of families lives, ignorance of what support is actually avaivle, ignorance of what respite means, and a cavalier attitude to carer/family wellbeing. Effective immediately, all flexibility for families who receive disability support funding is gone. You can no longer use your funding for the follwoing: All purchasing of items as a form of delivering respite. (Including, but not limited to, consumer electronics, sporting or recreation goods that may reduce the need to take a break.) All self-care services such as massages, pedicures and other appearance or therapeutic care. All expenses, that are not a necessary part of supporting the disabled person, where those expenses are intended to be part of providing respite. Travel related costs for disabled people, whānau, and/or persons providing support, including: - Accommodation. - Domestic and Overseas travel. - Food. You are not able to buy a support when funding for that support has been turned down by (or on behalf of) the responsible government agency or where you may have to wait, including for extended periods, to be able to access the service. I am so very disappointed in you, Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People

This is a regressive move back to an inflexible pre-covid system. Pre-covid this lack of flexibility meant Carer Support was underspent by $10million one year A system called Ichoose was proposed to replace it. The changes announced today fail to recognise that for many people whānau are the only carers. For some disabled people Flexible purchasing was a lifeline. It enabled people to make good use of the funds they were allocated in a way that worked for their whānau. The ambulance at the bottom of the cliff is far more expensive than timely cost effective flexible purchases. The Whaikaha Ministry for Disabled People need to work in partnership with disabled people and their whānau and uphold the UNCRPD and Enabling Good Lives Principles. We have a taxation system where we trust whānau to make good use of funds with Working for Families Tax credits. We need an equally high trust model for whānau wirh disabilities.

🏡 How does NDIS housing work?   NDIS housing, often referred to as "Supported Independent Living" (SIL) and "Specialist Disability Accommodation" (SDA), is designed to help people with disability find appropriate, supportive, and accessible housing. Here’s an overview of how NDIS housing work:   📌 Assessment: The NDIS assesses your needs and preferences for housing. This assessment helps determine if you require SIL, SDA or ILO and the level of support you need.   📌 Housing Providers: For SIL, you can choose from a range of service providers that offer support in various types of accommodation. For SDA, you can select from properties that meet your needs and preferences.   📌 Application: If you are eligible for SDA, you may need to go through a process to select or apply for SDA housing. This can involve working with housing providers or support coordinators to find an appropriate property.   📌 Transition: Moving into new housing can involve a transition period where support services are arranged, and you adapt to the new living environment. The NDIS and housing providers typically assist with this process to ensure a smooth transition.   Once in a SIL arrangement, you will work with your support provider to ensure your needs are met and adjust support as required.   With SDA, the focus is on ensuring that the housing meets your specific requirements. You may receive support from a different provider for daily living needs.   To discuss your housing support plan and goals, you can give us a call on 1300 674 401 or email us at info@incluso.com.au #SupportCoordinator #NDIS #NDISSupport #DisabilitySupport #NDISPlan #SupportServices #NDISCoordinator #InclusiveSupport #DisabilityCare #NDISParticipants #NDISHelp #QualityCare #NDISJourney #Empowerment #DisabilityAdvocacy

Understanding NDIS Core Supports NDIS Core supports are designed to assist you in your daily life, covering essential activities and items. They form the primary support category within the NDIS Plan for most individuals. Examples of Core supports include assistance with personal care, household tasks like cleaning, and essential items such as continence aids. Here's a breakdown of the different types of Core supports: 1. Assistance with daily life: Includes support for personal care, household chores, and meal preparation. 2. Social, economic, and community participation: Covers activities or courses to help you connect with others and engage in community life. 3. Consumables: Provides funding for everyday items and services. 4. Transport: Assists with travel costs for specialized schooling, work, or recreational activities. 5. Home and living (for PACE plans only): Includes support for independent living, home modifications, and short-term accommodation. 6. Young people in residential aged care (YPIRAC) (for PACE plans only): Pertains to individuals under 65 living in residential aged care. Your Core support budget offers flexibility, allowing you to use funding across different support categories in some cases. However, there are instances where funding is non-flexible, such as specific allocations for transport or home and living supports. For comprehensive Core support services, contact Careco Disability Support. We're dedicated to making your life easier, fairer, and more connected within your community. 📞 Phone - 0413 942 848 📩 Email - info@carecodisabilitysupport.com.au 🌐 Website - https://lnkd.in/g4tkeEbV #Careco #DisabilitySupport #CarecoSupport #NDISAssistance #24/7NDIS

🌟 Boost Your SSI Disability Benefits! 🌟 Looking to get more money from your SSI Disability? Follow these tips: ✅ Understand income exclusions ✅ Apply for state supplements ✅ Report changes promptly ✅ Utilize SSA work incentives Read More: https://shorturl.at/CJGsv #SSI #DisabilityBenefits #sackettlaw #MaximizeBenefits #SocialSecurity

Update on Disability Overpayments Yesterday, the Social Security Commissioner announced 4 new steps that Social Security Disability (SSD) will implement immediately to address the overpayment issues that have been plaguing people in recent years: 1. Beginning on Monday, 3/25/2024, SSD will stop automatically intercepting 100% of an overpaid person’s monthly SSD benefit if they do not respond to SSD’s demand for repayment. Instead, SSD will only withhold 10% of a person’s monthly SSD benefit. 2. SSD is revising its policies and procedures so that the burden of proof is no longer on the overpaid person to prove that they did not cause the overpayment. 3. SSD revised its repayment policy. It will now approve repayment plans of up to 60 months for some people. To qualify, a person only needs to provide a verbal summary of their income, resources, and expenses. People who receive benefits from the means-tested SSI program don’t even need to provide that summary. This extends the repayment period from 36 to 60 months. 4. SSD will be making it easier for overpaid people to request a waiver of repayment, if: a. they believe it wasn’t their fault; and/or  b. they don’t have the ability to repay.

Unlocking NDIS Capital Supports With Careco Disability Support! NDIS Capital Supports covers the expenses for more significant investments like assistive technology and specialized disability accommodation (SDA). These supports are essential but come with specific guidelines. Here's what you need to know about Capital Supports: 1. Assistive Technology: These devices empower you to be more independent, helping you perform tasks you might struggle with due to your disability. 2. Assistive Technology Maintenance, Repair, and Rental: Available for PACE plan participants, this support ensures your devices remain in top condition. Always ask for a quote from the repairer to understand the costs. 3. Home Modifications: Custom changes to your home to enhance accessibility and safety. They can range from small adjustments to significant structural alterations tailored to your needs. 4. Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA): Specifically for PACE plan participants, SDA provides housing for those with extreme functional impairment or high support needs. Most items require a quote, meaning you'll negotiate prices with providers and obtain written quotes before purchasing. For detailed information on how to use Capital Supports funding, refer to the NDIS Assistive Technology, Home Modifications, and Consumables Code Guide. Contact us today and let Careco Disability Support guide you through accessing and utilising your Capital Supports effectively under the NDIS! 📞 Phone - 0413 942 848 📩 Email - info@carecodisabilitysupport.com.au 🌐 Website - https://lnkd.in/gbhccx7y #Careco #DisabilitySupport #CarecoSupport #NDISAssistance #NDISsupport #CapitalSupports #CarecoAssistance

You would not believe how much time I have to waste to get a ramp like this in my job as a community OT. About 10 years ago I could request this ramp from accessable, the folk who administer disability equipment funded then by Ministry of Health, now Whaikaha. A ramp like this makes getting through the front door possible and safe for people using wheelchairs and walkers. 10 years ago, after my assessment of the need, consideration of the options, and checks that the person met the funding criteria, I had to fill in three basic forms (information, use and care, service request) and it took me maybe 15 minutes to process the application. Today, the start of the process is much the same. I use the knowledge I gained through my bachelor's degree, masters and PhD, my 25 years of experience as an OT, and my 12 years of working with the funding criteria to assess the need. I now have an additional "prioritisation" assessment to complete, for those who have a documented history of falls (if you are just very likely to have a fall, you miss out these days). This might involve me consulting with District Nurses, physio or the person's GP, seeking hospital discharge records or other documentation. Then I have to login to a website where I enter the person's details including demographics, contact details, etc, and fill in a form in which I describe the person's disability, essential need, options considered and justification for why I haven't chosen something else. in this example, the only ramps I could choose are 25mm, 50mm, 75mm. Not much use for a doorstep that is 100 or 120 high! I have to explain the consequences of the ramp not being provided and how long I expect the person to make use of the ramp. Finally, if the computer says I can proceed to funding, I am transferred to another website. Here I need to check the person's details, and can finally select the ramp I am after from their catalogue. I complete the prioritisation form, detailing their documented history of falls, assuring Accessable that my assessment has been peer reviewed and/or is being monitored by clinical leaders. Hooray! I can submit the service request. Now these ramps aren't cheap, maybe $800, but accessable just loans them and reissues them as people need them (an excellent system for the most part). But how much does this process cost? What really is gained in turning a request that took me maybe an hour, to one that is two to three hours? Who is reading all of this added detail? I cannot see that anything has been gained by the individual or the funder. The person who needed the ramp then, needs it now, same as it ever was. Other than making the process so time consuming that people wait longer and longer to have their needs met, it is difficult to see what is gained here. Increased bureaucratic process seem to be creating more hurdles to clinicians by design. If the state wants to look at waste within the system, I recon this would be a great place to start.

Should estate planning be different for beneficiaries with a disability? What is a Henson Trust (or disability trust) and is it right for your unique situation? An important purpose of estate planning is to sure that loved ones are financially cared for after a person's passing. This goal can become more important, as well as more complex, when one or more beneficiaries has special needs which require particular financial planning and protection. A lack of proper planning may lead to mismanagement of the inherited assets, barriers to accessing the assets or a loss of government disability support benefits upon receipt of the inheritance. While each situation is unique, there are some common estate planning tools which can be used to provide for beneficiaries with disabilities. Have questions? Schedule an introductory Zoom meeting: https://lnkd.in/gC9Bbmjg Want to learn more? Click the link below #executors #powersofattorney #solustrust #trustcompany #trustees