How do you get funding for Supported Independent Living?

If you or the person you care for needs a high level of daily support, then you can consider applying for supported independent living funding.  

Supported Independent Living (SIL) support is the name of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funding that assists eligible people with disabilities skills to live as independently as possible. 

This form of assistance has massive benefits. It not only helps you gain independence and confidence, but it also gives you the freedom and power you need to fulfil your goals. Before we get into all of the advantages of supported independent living, we’ll go through a little more in detail about it. 

 

What is Supported Independent Living (SIL)? 

 

Supported independent living is a type of NDIS funding that provides support to people with disabilities.  Independent support living is a type of support available only to people who are qualified for it. These services are available to those with both physical and mental disabilities. These services are designed specifically for people who require support 24/7 days a week while living in a shared home. 

Supported Independent Living is a type of NDIS support in which a disabled person lives with other people. Many people with disabilities are unable to live independently and require support in their daily life. People with disabilities will receive support with daily chores such as cleaning, cooking, and personal care as part of these supports. 

It also helps people with disabilities in enhancing their life skills and living more comfortably than previously. In this support, two to seven people can share a home, each with their own private room. People with disabilities can also use SIL to communicate with others and enhance their social skills. 

If you have Supported Independent Living in your NDIS plan, you can get the following support- 

• Help with money management and budgeting 
• Cooking and cleaning assistance 
• Encouraging people with disabilities to improve their social skills 
• Assisting them with personal care 
• Assist them with travelling and attending appointments 
• Provide personal care such as showering and dressing up 
• Help with daily life skill learning 

 

What kind of support does Supported Independent Living (SIL) provide? 

 

Depending on your needs and the number of people in the supported living setting, there are three levels of supported accommodation: 

Lower needs – This support includes regular supervision of living arrangements and isn’t provided 24/7. 

Standard needs – This support is available 24/7 and for the supervision of most day-to-day tasks including overnight support. 

Higher needs – This support of SIL provides frequent assistance to the individual with challenging behaviors including continual active support with day and night activities. This level is frequently required by people with high medical needs or behavioral impairments. 

 

Know if you are eligible for Supported Independent Living (SIL) 

 

Supported Independent Living funding is usually offered to people who require 24/7 assistance while living in a shared home. However, if you have lower support needs or live in a different type of housing, such as with your family, you are eligible for SIL. People with autism who get NDIS funding may also be eligible for supported independent living. 

 

Benefits of Supported Independent Living NDIS 

 

Grow your independence 

The goal of Supported Independent Living is to educate you on how to live independently and take control of your own life. A professional is always available to help you when you need it, but you also have the freedom to make your own decisions regarding your care. Your support person can assist you in learning new skills so that you will have the confidence to do them on your own. 

 

Meet new people 

Moving out of the house and into a supported independent living environment allows you to meet people in your condition. Most independent living support programs will attempt to match you with other housemates who are your age and have similar interests. When receiving funds for Supported Independent Living (SIL), sharing a home offers several benefits, including: 

• Sharing the rent cost 
• Sharing some of the disability support cost 
• Having the presence of another person who can help with household chores 

 

Receive tailored support  

Because everyone’s care needs vary from one to another, so will the level of assistance provided through assisted independent living. The NDIS tailors funding for this type of help to the level of care you need, allowing you to get the most out of your support and live as independently as possible. 

 

The Supported Independent Living process 

 

To obtain Supported Independent Living funds in your NDIS plan, you need to speak with your NDIS planner about the support you require to live in your own home. 

This will most likely be mentioned during your initial planning meeting. If you want to live more independently, your NDIS planner will help you find the assistance you need. 

If your goals or living environment change, you should consult with your planner about SIL. You must notify the NDIA of your change in circumstances, and they will contact you to discuss the support you require. 

Referrals from health providers and any present carers or support workers can help the NDIA understand your support needs and what you can do independently. Bring them to your planning meeting. 

Some people who need support with tasks such as cooking or getting ready in the morning do not require assistance for most of the day. In this case, SIL may not be the greatest support option, and you may be eligible for funding for other home and lifestyle services. 

If your planner and you agree that SIL is the best option for you, they will work together to select a SIL provider. You can speak with different providers before deciding on one. Choose a SIL provider you feel comfortable with, and who you believe will help you live the life you want. 

 

How to get Supported Independent Living (SIL) funding in your NDIS plan? 

 

In the NDIS Core support budget, SIL is referred to as Assistance with Daily Living (ADL). It is funded individually, and the benefits can be shared by everyone in a household. 

Getting SIL funding in your NDIS plan can be a time-consuming process and won’t happen overnight. It is a long process because there are a lot of steps involved and has to be completed by different people. 

The NDIA will assess the following at your NDIS planning meeting: 

• Your goals and how old you are 
• If other supports or changes would be better for you 
• How independent you are now 
• What types of services provide the best value for money  
• If you require support with tasks for the majority of the day
   

Here are some of the steps you need to follow to receive the Supported Independent Living funding: 

1. An Occupational Therapist will assess you to figure out how much support you require. 
2. Your Support Coordinator will review the support you currently are receiving to determine the level of SIL support you require. 
3. Your Support Coordinator will then collaborate with you to find suitable accommodation and a SIL provider. 
4. After you select a SIL provider, they will create a Roster of Care for you (RoC). This is a document that providers use to determine what support you require during the week. It divides the week into 30-minute blocks and assists SIL providers in determining how much funding they will require. If you are happy with the RoC, you will be asked to sign it. 
5. When you are ready to move into SIL accommodation, your Support Coordinator will submit a change in circumstances form to the NDIS. 
6. The NDIS will check all supporting documentation, including your RoC and the SIL provider’s quote, to assess if it is reasonable and essential. 
7. Once your RoC is accepted, the SIL budget is released into your NDIS Plan. 

 

Important Note: As you can see, there are several processes involved in getting SIL funding in your NDIS Plan. This is why having Support Coordination funding in your NDIS Plan is beneficial, as a Support Coordinator can help you understand the process and liaise with providers on your behalf. 

 

Does SIL funding cover your rent? 

 

No, SIL doesn’t.  

Supported Independent Living (SIL) funding does not cover your daily living expenses, services covered by other NDIS budgets (such as transportation), or non-disability-related supplies. 

For example, SIL funding will not cover the things mentioned below: 

• Rent, the cost of buying a home, or mortgage payments 
• Bills for electricity, phone, gas, or internet 
• Food and grocery shopping 
• gardening and cleaning materials 
• Assistive technology 
• Maintenance or Home repairs  
• Other daily living expenses, such as cabs or toiletries 

 

Is SIL suitable for me? 

 

While you may require help with day-to-day activities, such as help getting out of bed and getting ready in the morning, you may not need high-level support and 24-hour assistance.  

In this case, other kinds of NDIS-funded support are available. For instance, personal care support can be financed through Assistance with Daily Living (ADL) funding or assistive technology may be more appropriate for you to use at home.