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Government Help and Support for Living with Disability after a Stroke

Last Updated: 20th September, 2021
Est. Reading Time: 4 minutes

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There are two schemes that will enable you to access funded support to help you with your day-to-day activities and support services.

Which one you are eligible for will depend on your age.

  • For Under 65 – National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
  • For Over 65 – My Aged Care Program

A summary of these is found below, along with links to their website to keep up to date with current information.

NDIS – For under 65

There are around 4.3 million Australians who have a disability. Within the next five years, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will provide more than $22 billion in funding a year to an estimated 500,000 Australians who have permanent and significant disability.

A permanent disability means your disability is likely to be lifelong. A significant disability has a substantial impact on your ability to complete everyday activities.

The NDIS can provide all people with disability with information and connections to services in their communities such as doctors, sporting clubs, support groups etc.

Eligibility

For up to date information on eligibility please visit www.ndis.gov.au/applying-access-ndis/am-i-eligible

In summary, generally you are eligible if you:

  • Are aged between 7 and 65
  • Live in Australia, are an Australian citizen or have permanent or special visa category.
  • Need support from a person because of a permanent and significant disability
  • Use special equipment because of a permanent and significant disability
  • Need some supports now to reduce your future needs.

Please always verify your eligibility directly with the NDIS.
The information above is provided in good faith and whilst it has been taken from their website, things change and there are often situations that are unclear. 

If you meet the eligibility checklist and complete some questions the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) will then confirm your eligibility.  If eligible you can ask to become a participant in the NDIS by completing an Access Request Form.

See this process flow and gain access to the forms via www.ndis.gov.au/understanding/how-ndis-works. If you don’t have computer access or are not familiar with navigating websites speak with a carer or friend who could do this for you.

You can also call 1800 800 110 to make an Access Request.

You will also be required to provide supporting evidence that confirms your disability. This information will be clarified when you make your access request.

If you need help filling in the form or making the call, you can contact your Local Area Coordinator.

For Warragul and surrounds here are the details of the relevant contact:
Latrobe Community Health Service (Local Area Coordinator Partner)
Phone: 1800 242 696
Email: inner.gippslandLAC@ndis.gov.au

My Aged Care – For Over 65s

If you need some help around the house My Aged Care can help.  My Aged Care is the Australian Government’s starting point on your aged care journey and will enable you to find and access government funded services you may need.

Eligibility is based on factors like your health, how you’re managing at home, and any support you currently receive.

You may be eligible for aged care services if you have:

  • noticed a change in what you can do or remember
  • been diagnosed with a medical condition or reduced mobility
  • experienced a change in family care arrangements
  • experienced a recent fall or hospital admission,

and are:

  • 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people).

To know for sure if you are eligible, you will need to have an assessment.

If you need some help, the My Aged Care team can answer most of your questions over the phone.  Call 1800 200 422.

If you have computer access or someone who can do this for you there is extensive information available at www.myagedcare.gov.au. You can apply for an assessment online, find suitable providers who can support you, understand what government funding may be available and what you may need to self-fund and start managing your services.

Checking your eligibility

If you prefer to complete the eligibility assessment online you can do so here: www.myagedcare.gov.au/assessment/apply-online

This will take you 15-20 minutes to complete.

You can complete the application yourself or on behalf of a family member or friend.

There are three parts. The first checks you are eligible, the second captures your details, and the third confirms who the assessor should call to arrange the assessment. You will need your Medicare card and enough time to complete it.

After submitting your form, you will be contacted by an assessor in around 3 weeks who will arrange a face to face assessment.

Carer Support

There is also extensive information and support for carers through the myagedcare.gov.au website.

Many carers see themselves as a family member or friend who looks after a person they love, not as a carer. This means that they may not think to look – or ask – for help.

If you’re providing a family member, partner or friend with regular and ongoing care and help – without being paid – then you’re a carer. And you can get help and support from the government and other organisations.

A carer may give care for a few hours a week or all day, every day, depending on the level of support needed.

Care can be received:

  • in the older person’s home
  • in a residential aged care home
  • in your home.

If you’re a carer, it’s important you take some time to look after your own health and wellbeing because it will help you in your caring role. Carer Gateway provides carer specific in-person, phone, and online services and support nationally to help you in your caring role.

Carer Gateway phone line

You can call 1800 422 737, Monday to Friday, between 8am and 5pm, to speak to a Carer Gateway service provider. They will talk with you to understand your needs and provide the support and services to assist you in your caring role.

Important Disclaimer

This information has been reproduced in good faith and extracted from the NDIS and My Aged Care websites. Please always verify information is current through contact with the relevant agency via the phone numbers, email addresses or web sites provided.

The Warragul Stroke Support Group takes no liability for anyone acting on this information without further verifying their eligibility and the requirements of these agencies.

Meetings held every first and third Tuesday of the month, 1pm to 3pm

Warragul Community House, 138 Normanby Street, Warragul
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This website has been developed with funding by the Department of Health and Human Services, through the Disability Self Help Grants scheme.
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