The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) aims to facilitate the funding for relevant products and services to support Australians living with disabilities. One service that can offer valuable support to NDIS participants and their networks is Short Term Accommodation (STA) or Respite.
What is Short Term Accommodation?
Your NDIS Plan may provide funding for Short Term Accommodation, including respite, which is support and accommodation for a short time away from your informal supports. It covers the cost of your care in another place for up to 14 days at a time.
Your short stay might be with other people, or by yourself, depending on your own support needs and goals. It is often funded when your usual carers or support networks aren’t available, or to provide safe environments for you to try new things. STA is designed to support participants in various ways, including:
- Short Breaks: STA can give participants the opportunity to experience new environments and activities while receiving the necessary support.
- Support During Crises: For families facing unforeseen circumstances or emergencies, STA provides essential respite, ensuring that participants still receive the care they need.
- Social Opportunities: STA can also be a place to make new friends, helping participants to build relationships and develop social skills.
What is included in Short Term Accommodation Funding?
NDIS Short Term Accommodation provides both participants and their carers with necessary breaks and additional support in a specially designed environment. Where you are eligible to receive STA supports, the NDIS may fund more than the cost of the accommodation itself. STA funding may also cover the costs of:
- Personal care products and services
- Accommodation
- Food and drink
- Other activities where they support the individual goals and needs of the participant.
NDIS Respite & Short Term Accommodation Guidelines
In order to be eligible for NDIS holiday accommodation funding, you will need to consider the following guidelines. Short Term Accommodation or respite must:
- Be directly related to your disability
- Help you to pursue your goals
- Help you to participate in the community
- Be value for money
Benefits of Short Term Accommodation and Respite
There are many reasons you may wish to stay in NDIS funded short term accommodation, including:
- Improved Well-Being: Short Term Accommodation funding can be used for respite to support both you and your carers. This gives your carers a short break from their caring role, and allows participants to receive their required supports out of home for a short period.
- Increased Independence: STA and respite services can encourage participants to try new things and develop skills in new environments.
- Social Inclusion: These services often facilitate opportunities for participants to connect with others, reducing feelings of isolation and promoting social engagement.
- Maintained living situation: Time away from your usual home can help to maintain your current living situation by giving your informal supports a break.
Does the NDIS cover holidays?
It’s important to note that Short Term Accommodation and Respite is not designed for holidays. Travel related expenses such as cruises, holiday packages, holiday accommodation and airfares including interstate and overseas travel, passports, visas, activities and meals included in travel will not be funded.
If you are unsure whether your planned STA is eligible to be funded, you can speak with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) or your support team to discuss your individual goals and needs.
The team at Orange Plan Management is also always happy to help answer any funding related questions you might have if you are unsure what steps you might need to take (such as seeking approval from the NDIA). Give us a call on 1300 611 990 or email hello@orangeplan.com.au.
What do the October 2024 NDIS legislation changes mean for STA funding?
As you may have heard, the Government has recently made a number of large changes to the NDIS rules with the legislation that came into effect on the 3rd of October 2024. STA and Respite is one of the affected supports.
You can read more about these changes and view frequently asked questions on the NDIS website.
However, it is important to highlight that the NDIA has now provided clarification that participants cannot access STA under their new guidelines if living alone or in a Supported Independent Living (SIL) arrangement. This is because if a participant is living alone or in a SIL arrangement, they already have time apart from family and informal supports.
If this change affects you, you should talk directly to the NDIA or your planner to seek approval to access STA support against the NDIA’s guidelines.
