As a registered NDIS provider, Hunter Care Group is here to help you unpack the ins and outs of Supported Independent Living funding.
Supported Independent Living (SIL) funding supports people with higher disability needs who require 24/7 assistance. It is typically used to cover NDIS supports for day-to-day living, such as personal care, household tasks and social activities.
If you’re striving to lead a more independent and fulfilling life in the face of disability, or wish the same for your family member, SIL supports can help make it happen.
That said, accessing SIL funding can be a lengthy and complex process. Whether you want to learn more about this financial assistance for yourself or your loved one, Hunter Care Group will guide you through the entire process.
In this clear guide, we explain how it works in plain English. Keep reading to discover what this type of financial assistance encompasses, whether you are eligible and how to access it through your NDIS plan.
What is Supported Independent Living?
Supported Independent Living, otherwise known as SIL, is a key component of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). It is designed to assist participants who require significant and ongoing support to live independently in their homes.
SIL encompasses a range of services and supports aimed at fostering independence and community engagement. Tailored to the unique needs of each participant, it helps enrich day-to-day life for those living with a disability.
SIL funding can be found as ‘Assistance with Daily Living’ (ADL) in the NDIS Core support budget. While it’s funded individually, the covered supports may be shared between multiple participants in the same SIL accommodation.
The difference between SIL and SDA
It’s important to recognise the core distinction between SIL and Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA).
SIL funding is for support services within the home, while SDA pertains to the physical home and its modifications. This difference helps clarify what SIL funding can be applied to.
What SIL funding covers
SIL funding covers assistance for daily tasks, personal care, household chores, and social activities, depending on the NDIS participant’s goals.
It is designed to provide services that support people with a disability to lead more independent and fulfilling lives. These include, but are not limited to:
- 24/7 supervision and help with household tasks like cooking and cleaning
- Assistance with personal care and hygiene
- Support for participating in social and community activities
- Travel for appointments and other engagements
- Personal skill development
Where can SIL funding be used?
SIL funding can be used in various living arrangements, such as:
- Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
- Private rentals
- Group or shared accommodation
- Government housing
- Houses owned by the participant
This flexibility ensures that you can choose the living situation that best suits your needs, goals and preferences.
Does SIL funding pay for rent?
No. SIL funding is reserved for disability-related support. That means it does not extend to everyday living expenses like rent or items that fall under different NDIS budget categories.
This distinction ensures that SIL funding is only used for services and support directly associated with assisting people with a disability to live more independently.
Items not covered by this financial assistance include:
- Household groceries
- General home maintenance and repairs
- Vehicles and fuel
- Home cleaning products and gardening tools
- Assistive technology
- Utility bills such as gas, electricity, water, phone, and internet services
Eligibility for SIL funding
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) determines eligibility for SIL funding based on several factors, such as age, level of disability, and support needs.
The funding is categorised into three levels:
- Lower needs – Regular supervision but not 24/7 support
- Standard needs – 24/7 support including overnight
- Higher needs – Continuous active support for complex needs.
Participants who are typically eligible for this funding are those who need continuous, active support, both during the day and at night.
To access SIL funding, you must demonstrate to their NDIS planner that SIL is both reasonable and necessary for your circumstances. This is usually evidenced via a Functional Assessment Report (FAR) by a relevant Allied Health professional.
This process also considers any informal support delivered by family members, carers and the wider community.
Confirming eligibility is generally a collaborative effort between you and your Support Coordinator, who plays a pivotal role in navigating the process with service providers.
The role of Support Coordinators
Notably, your SIL funding is not tied to a particular service provider. Once an NDIS plan is approved, you can discuss the specific supports to be delivered under this funding with different providers.
Support Coordinators are integral to this part of the SIL process. We help you understand and access SIL funding, helping to organise and liaise with allied health professionals and service providers.
Our guidance is crucial in preparing for NDIS planning meetings and ensuring that your needs are adequately represented, respected and met.
How to apply for SIL funding
NDIS participants seeking SIL funding need to collaborate with both SIL providers and an NDIA planner. This process tends to follow several steps:
1. Planning meeting
The goal of this planning meeting is to evaluate whether Supported Independent Living is the right way forward for you as an NDIS participant. During this stage, you will discuss a range of considerations with your planner, including:
- Your circumstances, age, aims and needs
- Your level of independence and day-to-day capabilities
- The need for person-to-person support
- Alternative home and living options, such as SDA
- The most cost-effective living arrangements for you
2. SIL provider selection
If you and your planner agree that Supported Independent Living makes sense, it’s time to start looking for a suitable SIL provider.
At this point, a Support Coordinator can help you find appropriate SIL accommodation options and connect you with the right SIL provider.
3. Roster of Care
Creating a Roster of Care is a key step in obtaining SIL funding. Your SIL provider will create this roster, which details your support needs throughout the week, broken down into 30-minute intervals.
This document helps to determine the necessary funding to support your daily life. You will need to review, approve and sign the Roster of Care before your SIL provider submits it to the NDIA for funding assessment.
4. The NDIA’s decision
Once the Roster of Care is finalised and submitted, the NDIA reviews it along with all supporting evidence, including the SIL provider’s quote.
The NDIA assesses whether the proposed supports are reasonable and necessary. Following approval and confirmation of the funding level, your NDIS plan will be updated to include SIL funding.
How much SIL funding will I receive?
The amount of SIL funding you will be approved for depends on your circumstances and living arrangements – there is no one-size-fits-all figure.
The NDIS will perform an individual assessment to determine the level of support and in turn, funding you need once you have your home and support plan in place. This assessment can involve consultations with healthcare professionals, input from family members, or advice from close friends, to ensure it accurately reflects your support requirements.
Discover SIL and Support Coordination in the Hunter
SIL funding represents more than just financial support; it’s a pathway to empowerment, autonomy, and enhanced community participation for those with significant disabilities. By providing tailored support in daily living and promoting independence, this financial assistance plays a critical role in improving the quality of life for NDIS participants.
That said, understanding and navigating the complexities of SIL funding can be a daunting task, and that’s where Hunter Care Group steps in – to guide, support, and empower you.
We are deeply committed to supporting NDIS participants in their journey towards greater independence. If you are looking for comprehensive and personalised support to make the most of your NDIS plan, we offer Support Coordination and Supported Independent Living services across Newcastle and the Hunter Valley.
To learn more about our disability support services in the Hunter region, get in touch with our trusted team at (02) 4950 2269 or enquire online. We are here to help you.