To the Hearth family,
We wanted to reach out and share some important information regarding upcoming NDIS changes that may
affect many participants and families from 1 October.
As you may have heard, changes to the NDIS legislation were passed by the Senate last week.
We understand this news may be concerning and create uncertainty for participants, families, carers, and support networks. Please know that we are taking the time to carefully understand what these changes mean and, most importantly, how we can best support you through them.
Based on the information currently available, our understanding is that when eligible plans come up for renewal, funding for Community Participation may be reduced by up to 50%, and funding for Allied Health supports may be reduced by up to 10%. We also understand that participants with high support needs who require continuous 24-hour support may
be able to apply within 90 days of a funding reduction to have funding reallocated across support categories. However, the overall value of their plan cannot increase.
We recognise the significant impact these changes may have on participants, their families, and informal support networks. For many people, community participation and Allied health supports play an important role in wellbeing, independence, skill development, and connection to the community. Understandably, the prospect of changes in these areas may feel worrying.
At this stage, we encourage participants and families to take note of when their current NDIS plan is due for renewal over the next 12 months and begin considering how any potential changes may affect their supports and goals. Being aware of upcoming renewal dates will help ensure there is adequate time to prepare and plan.
In response to these changes, Hearth is developing a proactive approach to support participants and families ahead of plan renewals. Our team will be reaching out before renewal dates to discuss potential impacts, answer questions, and work together on planning strategies. We believe that by preparing early and working collaboratively, we can help navigate these changes as smoothly as possible.
While our current understanding is that, outside of specific provisions for participants receiving 24-hour support, these funding changes may not be subject to appeal, we are continuing to monitor updates closely and will share further information as it becomes available.
Please remember that you are not alone in this. We understand that this information may raise questions or concerns, and we are here to support you. If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances, please reach out to your Relationship Manager, who will be happy to assist.
Thank you for your trust and partnership.
Together, we will continue to focus on achieving the best possible outcomes for the people we support.
