Now you’ve got your Plan, it’s time to access the services you have received funding for. Bedford is here to help you prepare for your NDIS planning meeting and maximise the opportunities your NDIS Plan provides. We have many services available to help you achieve your individual goals.
Our friendly Client Service Representatives can help you access the Bedford services you want, using the funding you have received in your NDIS Plan.
To be eligible for NDIS funding, you need to:
- Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or hold a Protected Special Category Visa
- Be aged under 65 years old
- Have a permanent or ongoing condition that means you need support to do everyday things for yourself. Or you need support now, so you can do more things for yourself in the future.
You can confirm your eligibility via the NDIS Eligibility Checklist.
If you believe you meet the criteria and are eligible to receive NDIS funding, call the NDIS on 1800 800 110 and ask to make an Access Request.
Or if you are currently receiving disability support services, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) will be in contact when funding becomes available in your area. Find out more on the NDIS website.
Preparing for Your Planning Meeting
When you enter the NDIS system, you will undergo a planning process with an NDIS representative to develop your personal NDIS Plan and the funding you will receive. Before your first planning meeting, it’s important to determine what you want to achieve and the services and supports you’ll need to get there.
The NDIS website is a useful tool to help you determine what a goal is and what types of goals you may want to strive for.
The Planning Meeting
At your planning meeting, you'll talk to an NDIA Planner or Local Area Coordinator about your life, goals and needs. You could talk about the support and services you may want for:
- Employment opportunities
- Daily life
- Routines
- Hobbies
- Education and training
Your goal could be to find or keep a job, or to develop a new life skill such as learning to catch public transport independently. The decision is yours.
During your meeting, if you think you’ll need support to access and use your funding, talk to your NDIA Planner or Local Area Coordinator about a Support Coordinator. Bedford is proud to have Support Coordinators to assist you with implementing your plan.
Your Planner will let you know at the end of the meeting how long it will take for your NDIS Plan to be approved.