There are several ways people living with a disability in Australia can receive support that will help them live an improved life. But many people worry about how each of these programs would affect another. You may have heard of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and the Disability Support Pension (DSP). But do you know how they relate or differ from each other?
These two programs provide support to individuals with disabilities, but they are different in many ways. In this article, we’ll explore the NDIS and DSP, their differences, and whether the NDIS affects Disability Pension. Now, sit tight and let’s get into it!
What is the NDIS and the DSP (Disability Support Pension)?
Before we find out the differences between the NDIS and the Disability Support Pension (DSP) and how (or if) the NDIS affects Disability Pension, it is important to look into what each of them is all about.
NDIS
The NDIS is a government-funded program that provides support to people with permanent and significant disabilities. The scheme provides funding for people with disabilities to access services and supports that help them achieve their goals and improve their quality of life. The NDIS provides funding for a range of supports, including:
- Assistive technology
- Therapeutic supports
- Home modifications
- Personal care
- Social and community participation
The NDIS is designed to be flexible and person-centered. This means that people with disabilities can choose the services and supports that best meet their needs and goals.
To be eligible for the NDIS, you must have a permanent and significant disability that affects your ability to carry out everyday activities. You must also be an Australian citizen or hold a permanent visa and be under the age of 65.
Disability Support Pension
The DSP is a government-funded pension that provides financial support to people with disabilities who cannot work or earn a sufficient income due to their disability. The pension is a fortnightly payment designed to provide a basic level of income support to help with the costs of living.
To be eligible for the DSP, you must have a disability that is permanent, or likely to be permanent, and that affects your ability to work. You must also be between the ages of 16 and pension age, and meet residency and income and assets tests.
What is the difference between the two?
Many people often wonder what the difference between the NDIS and Disability Support Pension is, and whether you can receive funding from both. We will take an in-depth look into the major differences between both programs.
- Eligibility: The eligibility criteria for the NDIS and the DSP are different. The NDIS is available to people with a permanent and significant disability that affects their ability to participate in everyday activities. The DSP, on the other hand, is available to people who have a physical, intellectual, or psychiatric condition that prevents them from working more than 15 hours a week at the relevant minimum wage.
- Purpose: The NDIS is designed to provide people living with disabilities with the support they need to achieve their goals and live a more independent life. This may include funding for things like personal care, mobility equipment, and housing modifications. The DSP, on the other hand, is designed to provide income support to people who are unable to work due to their disability, and this funding can be used for their day-to-day living expenses like food, rent, and bills.
- Funding: The NDIS is a demand-driven funding model, which means that the amount of funding available is based on the needs of the individual. The DSP, on the other hand, is a fixed payment that is determined based on the individual’s income and assets.
- Services: The NDIS provides a range of services and supports, including health services, housing assistance, and employment support. The DSP, on the other hand, does not provide any services or supports beyond the income payment.
- Assessment: To access the NDIS, individuals need to undergo a comprehensive assessment of their needs and goals. The assessment is conducted by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and is used to determine the level of funding and supports required. To access the DSP, individuals need to provide medical evidence to Centrelink to demonstrate their disability and its impact on their ability to work.
- Funding management: The NDIS funding is managed by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), while the DSP payments are managed by Centrelink.
Can you receive funding from the NDIS and Disability Support Pension at the same time?
Yes, it is possible to receive funding from the NDIS and the Disability Support Pension (DSP) at the same time. Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for only the NDIS, only the DSP, or both. But, there are some important things to consider when receiving both of these payments.
The DSP is a means-tested payment, which means that the amount you receive is based on your income and assets. If you receive funding from the NDIS, this is not considered as income for the purposes of the DSP income test and generally does not affect your DSP payment.
However, just because you are eligible for either the NDIS or DSP, it does not mean that you’re automatically entitled to the other. You will need to meet the eligibility criteria outlined by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) for the NDIS, and the criteria outlined by Services Australia.
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"I had a very good hour doing Easy Exercising which isn’t hard on your joints. I think it’s good for any over fifties to try as they will find it so good for their different problems or just to have some general exercise. There is a qualified person supervising you on each machine & its a very sociable environment." - Margaret
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