It can be hard to get your head around all the different budget categories in your NDIS Plan. However, with a good understanding of how your budgets work, you can really get the most of your funding.
Today we’re going to explore the Capital supports budget, what it covers and how you can make the most of it in your NDIS Plan.
What does the Capital supports budget cover?
The Capital supports budget covers higher-cost pieces of technology, modifications or one-off purchases that are determined by the NDIS as “reasonable and necessary” for your individual situation.
If you have funding for Capital supports in your budget, it is important to remember that you will need to use the funding for the specified purpose. Make sure you have quotes for each item or modification before your NDIS Plan meeting, as you won’t be able to use this funding for other items.
The Capital supports budget is split into two categories: assistive technology and home modifications.
Assistive technology.
Assistive technology is any device that allows you to do something that you wouldn’t be able to do without it or increase the ease or safety of things you do, is called assistive technology.
Your Capital supports budget can help to cover the cost of your assistive technology, including higher-cost complex items. These can include specialised or custom-made pieces of technology or equipment that will help make your day-do-day life much easier.
You can find out more by reading What is assistive technology?
Home modifications.
Changes made to the structure, layout or fittings of your home to ensure you can move around safely are called home modifications.
Your Capital supports budget can cover modifications in your home, from simple handrails or ramps to complex structural changes, that help you live your life.
You can read more about home modifications in one of our previous articles.
How can I make the most of this funding?
Setting clear goals that you will be able to achieve because of the specified technology, equipment or modifications will also help to ensure your funding is approved in the Capital supports category.
For example, if ramp access at home or a specialised wheelchair will help you to achieve your goal of gaining more independence, confidence and become more involved with your community, then you have a good chance of receiving funding to support you.
The NDIS will decide if these Capital supports are “reasonable and necessary” at your Plan meeting, which makes it very important to have all your supporting information ready beforehand.
We can help.
Leap in! can help you prepare for your first NDIS Plan meeting or Plan Review to ensure you have the very best chance of getting the help you need.
The Leap in! app has a dedicated section for setting and managing goals, which will make preparing for your meeting easier. You can also save all of your documentation (including quotes and assessments) in the one place ready to reference in your plan meeting.
To take a look at the demo web version of the app, including the My Budgets section (normally only available to plan managed members), follow the instructions below.
1. Go to https://app.leapin.com.au
2. Enter the following email address: democrew@leapin.com.au
3. Enter the following password: leapindemo
4. Click Log in
If you have any questions or would like help to get ready for your first NDIS meeting (or Plan Review meeting), call us on 1300 05 78 78 to book your free NDIS pre-planning session, email crew@leapin.com.au or sign up to Leap in! plan management today.
Further reading.
NDIS Plan budget categories explained.