“A high proportion of people are contacting us about their NDIS plans, and depending on their case officer, there can be a lot of discrepancies with outcomes,” according to MP Zali Steggall, Federal MP for the Sydney electorate of Warringah. “The bureaucracy attached to this can be very hit and miss.”
Speaking at a local community forum, she said many participants are being told there are inconsistencies in their plans but are not given an explanation as to why.
“We have electoral officers dealing directly with the NDIS when it comes to reconsidering plans to ensure these are appropriate to their requirements, but I am concerned that there is too much attention attached to costing efficiencies, and people’s individual needs are not always being met as often they having to resubmit with GP assessments, etc.
“There must be a better system so that once you have established you have a certain level of need, and no ongoing issues, it avoids having to reproduce evidence. Frequently it is the bureaucratic side that wears participants down.”
She also raised the problem of age discrimination with the NDIS, that finishes at 65, “because the cost differences between a fully approved NDIS plan to a Level 4 Aged Care Package is dramatic”.
Among the issues put forward from the audience at the forum were climate change, renewables and transport, particularly changes to bus travel post-pandemic, which was a concern especially for people with disability, mothers with children and the elderly.
Speaking to F2L at the event was liaison officer Sean Moran who confirmed there were escalating individual cases with the NDIS when it comes to home modifications. “We are aware of widely felt concerns that bureaucratic challenges with the NDIS process may significantly impact a participant’s wellbeing, when it occurs with home modifications.
“Some NDIS participants may experience rapidly changing circumstances, and therefore face further challenges if adequate supports are not yet in place,” he said. “We have been made aware of participants and carers suffering mental health implications as a result of the stressful process and are concerned by examples of lengthy delays to much needed home modifications.”