NDIS helps its participants achieve their desired goals and live as independently as possible. Therefore, if you wish to live more independently and receive the support to build the necessary skills, you can approach NDIS for the Supported Independent Living (SIL) budget. It’s mainly for participants with higher support needs. There will be SIL providers in Melbourne or your neighbourhood to provide you with the necessary support when you opt for SIL. We provide a detailed guide with this article so that you know what SIL is, how to access it, and its benefits. Read on to learn more-
What is Supported Independent Living in the NDIS Plan?
The Supported Independent Living (SIL) program supports participants who need help living independently or maintaining independence. This program is available through the NDIS, or National Disability Insurance Scheme, and enables people with disabilities to access various services and supports to help them achieve their goals. SIL is an integral part of the NDIS plan as it helps individuals develop skills and build confidence to be more independent. The NDIS participants can avail of SIL of two types. These are-
Supported Independent Living in Shared Housing
When the participant decides that they can share their living space and support with another individual, it’s the supported independent living in shared housing. Here the participant gets to decide who they want to share their support with and with whom they want to live with.
Supported Independent Living Alone
When the participant wishes to live alone or with people who aren’t NDIS participants, they receive personal care or individualized living options. NDIS works out the reasonable and necessary support participants will need each day. Once it’s in the plan, the participant can choose which provider they want to deliver the required support.
What Does Supported Independent Living Include?
Supported independent living covers many expenses that can help the participants achieve their goals. These are-
- Assistance with personal care tasks
- Assistance to build the participant’s skills in things in routine chores such as meal preparation, cooking, cleaning, and creating a routine
- Assistance to action any behaviour support plans the participant has
- Assistance in developing the social skills of the participant
- Help with supervision, personal safety and security
- Help to reach medical appointments on time safely
- Assistance to get to and from community access activities, where this is your preference.
Though many supports are in Supported independent living, there are many things that NDIS doesn’t cover under this support. These are-
- Cost of groceries
- Rent, board or lodging costs
- Cost of utilities such as gas, electricity, water, telephone, etc
- Charges accrued on the vehicle
- Household budgeting
- Expenses accrued on holidays, including travel costs
- Paid personal support while the participant is in the hospital
What Are the Different Levels of SIL?
There are three levels of supported independent living that depict the participant’s care needs. These are-
Lower Needs: Here, the participant doesn’t require 24/7 support. Instead, they will need the SIL Providers in Melbourne to provide them with the required supervision of living arrangements.
Standard Needs: In standard supported independent living, the participant needs 24/7 support, including overnight support and supervision while doing their daily chores.
Higher Needs: When the participant requires a high level of continual support, with day and night activities, it’s a high level of supported independent living.
What Are the Benefits of SIL?
There are multiple benefits of Supported independent living for an NDIS participant. Some of these are-
- It helps participants gain greater independence
- Improves quality of life for the NDIS participant
- Increases access to services and activities
- Sharing the cost of rent
- Sharing the cost of some disability supports
- Having the company of another person who can share household responsibilities
- Receive tailored support from the SIL Providers
Who Is a SIL Provider?
The Supported independent living provider is the one who provides services to the NDIS participants. They help them complete their day-to-day activities and assist them in achieving their short- and long-term goals.
How Does Someone Access SIL?
In order to access the SIL program through the NDIS plan, individuals must follow these steps-
Apply for NDIS funding: First, you must apply for funding through NDIS’s MyPlace portal. You must submit the relevant document and convey your requirement for SIL funding during the planning meeting.
Get assistance from a support coordinator: Once the NDIA approves your plan, you will receive funding from a support coordinator who will create a personalized support plan tailored to your individual needs.
Contact a SIL Provider: The support coordinator shall help to find the best SIL provider in Melbourne for your needs, who, after learning your requirement, shall create a roster of care.
Wait for the roaster of care: The SIL provider shall create a document determining all the support you need during a week. It will help the providers estimate the participants required for SIL support.
Wait for NDIA approval: After preparing the roaster of care, the SIL providers will show it to you for approval. Once you are happy with the document, the NDIA shall thoroughly scan it and approve the SIL funding when satisfactory.
In a Nutshell
Supported Independent Living (SIL) is an integral part of the NDIS plan that enables people with disabilities to access various services and supports to become more independent. It provides tailored support plans designed specifically for each participant’s needs so they can reach their goals and improve their quality of life. To access this program through the NDIS plan, individuals must first apply for funding through the MyPlace portal before working with a service provider who will create a personalized support plan tailored for them. With SIL, individuals can increase their independence while accessing necessary services and activities that make living independently easier
My Link Assist helps NDIS participants achieve their goals and attain the desired independence. If you are also seeking a SIL Provider in Melbourne who can provide you with the best care, contact My Link Assist, and the team shall be happy to assist you.
