Autism advocates are concerned about reduced NDIS support. Photo: Pragma Home Care.
Riverina NDIS recipients say they are already experiencing sharp reductions in support packages, ahead of federal reforms expected to tighten eligibility and shift more services outside the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Rebecca* was previously receiving about $36,000 a year in support through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), covering therapy for her physical disabilities, autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Last month, she requested a reassessment of her plan, hoping to increase her level of support.
Instead, she says she received an email advising her supports had been dramatically reduced, leaving her with just $2 available in her plan.
“It was such a shock. I had no warning this was coming,” she said.
“I have no support now to pay for any of my therapies and I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.
“They cut my support coordinator. I don’t even have someone who can help me navigate it. They’re punishing the participants who need the support, not those who are rorting the system.”
Region has seen paperwork confirming the change in Rebecca’s plan. We asked the NDIS to explain the decision but it said it could not comment on individual cases.
The NDIS is a government welfare program that helps people with a permanent disability get the support they need to live their daily lives.
Each person gets a personalised budget based on their needs. They then use that funding to buy the supports and services that help them live more independently.
Plans are periodically reassessed, and funding can increase, decrease, or remain stable depending on updated evidence and changed circumstances.
A spokesperson for the NDIS said there had been no change to the way funding was calculated, including for participants with autism.
“The NDIS provides funding for reasonable and necessary supports to people with a permanent and significant disability or developmental delay,” the spokesperson said.
“It’s normal for NDIS plans to go up and down over time as funding decisions are made based on the evidence submitted and in line with the NDIS Act.
“The average payments for participants with autism has increased year on year.”
Riverina parent Dene Beltrame said she was also notified her autistic son Noah’s plan would be reassessed and his supports reduced. She appealed the decision and had the supports reinstated.
“A lot of people wouldn’t understand the system and know how to advocate for themselves when their support is cut off,” she said.
Disability advocates say this complexity is part of the problem, with families often required to navigate detailed reassessment and appeals processes without formal advocacy support.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme is currently undergoing its most significant reform period since its introduction, with the Federal Government working on changes designed to slow scheme growth and redirect some supports outside the NDIS into so-called “foundational supports” delivered through mainstream systems such as health, education and community services.
Under reforms outlined in recent federal policy settings and budget measures, governments have signalled tighter access rules, more consistent eligibility assessments, and a stronger focus on ensuring only people with permanent and significant functional impairment remain in the scheme long-term.
The reforms are being driven by growing pressure on the Federal Government to rein in the rapidly rising cost of the NDIS, alongside concerns some providers are overcharging and “rorting” the system.
The Australian Autism Alliance fears the changes will hit children and adults on the spectrum.
“For many families, this will be experienced as cuts to support,” the alliance’s independent co-chair Jenny Karavolos said.
“We support reform. But reform must meet a clear standard: no-one should be moved until something better is in place. If systems aren’t ready, reform isn’t ready.”
The reforms will require legislation to pass Federal Parliament before they can be fully implemented, and elements are expected to be phased in over time rather than applied immediately.
*Name changed to protect privacy.
Original Article published by Oliver Jacques on Region Riverina.
