At InFocus, our team of Brisbane based Support Coordinators and Plan Managers help NDIS participants understand and get the most out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). One way that we do this is to help participants understand their options when it comes to NDIS funding for accommodation. There are four main options, they are:

1. Special Disability Accommodation (SDA)
2. Supporting Independent Living (SIL)
3. Individual Living Options (ILO)
4. Medium Term Accommodation

Special Disability Accommodation (SDA)

SDA funding can be used to make the home you already live in more accessible. By making modifications to your home so that it is safer, more functional and easier to get around to give you more independence. There are four separate design categories under SDA, each with varying requirements and standards that must be met.

• Fully Accessible – Homes that meet the requirement under this category are fully accessible to you inside and out. For example, doors are wide enough and counter tops and all appliances are the right height.
• High Physical Support – Housing under the High Physical Support Category includes all of the requirements in the Fully Accessible category, plus, structural provisions for ceiling hoists and 950mm wide doors to all rooms. High Physical Support homes are also Assistive Technology ready, have heating, cooling and household communications technology and include emergency power solutions. 
• Improved Liveability – Homes in this category have been built or modified to incorporate a reasonable level of physical access and provision for participants with sensory, intellectual or cognitive impairment.
• Robust – Under SDA design category requirements, “Robust” housing must be very resilient to minimise risk to the participant (such as injury) and the community and reduce the likelihood that maintenance needs to be carried out. For example, Robust homes may include secure windows and doors, high impact wall lining and laminated glass.

Supported Independent Living (SIL)

SIL funding is designed to help you with daily tasks so that you can live more independently. SIL covers support that you receive in your home, it does not cover rent, home modifications or day-to-day living expenses. Examples of SIL funded supports includes assistance with daily household and/or personal tasks such as:

• Showering and personal care
• Cleaning
• Cooking
• Grocery shopping
• Assistance with appointments

The NDIA advise that SIL is best suited to participants who are over 18 years old with high support needs, requiring a significant amount of support with daily tasks.

SIL is commonly provided in a shared living environment, where a group of NDIS participants live together. SIL funding is provided on an individual basis to meet the needs of each participant.

If you’re looking for a SIL home, this is something you should talk about with your Support Coordinator.

Individual Living Options (ILO)

ILO is a package of supports that enables you to choose where and how you live to suit your needs and goals. While there are a variety of ILO options, these packages commonly include the following accommodation choices:

• Living Alone
• Co-Residency
• Host Arrangements
• Living Together

You can’t use ILO funding for:

• Purchasing a house
• Group homes where multiple people who live with disability share mutual supports
• Placing those who live with disability in accommodation solely for the purpose of giving them accommodation, including family members. In other words, ILO funded accommodation must have relevance to supporting a participant’s disability
• Commercial and recreational shared accommodation services such as hostels
• Rostered care situations with set supports which do not meet or address the participant’s preferences, needs, or NDIS goals
• Paying for accommodation in which a participant already lives

Medium Term Accommodation

The NDIA may fund medium term accommodation, an option which provides you somewhere to live if you can’t move into your long-term home because your disability supports aren’t ready.  To be eligible for medium term accommodation, you must have a home that you plan to move into in the long term. Medium term housing is most commonly funded by the NDIA for up to 90 days.

Contact InFocus Today

If you’d like assistance with the NDIS or with figuring out which accommodation style is right for you, contact InFocus today. Simply call 928 437 or email enquiries@infocusdisability.org.au