In-Kind Support and Services in your NDIS plan

In-kind Support

Before the NDIS was established, state, territory and Commonwealth governments pre-paid a lump sum amount to service providers so they could provide supports to people with disability. When the NDIS started, this changed.

Under the NDIS, funding is given to a participant so they can choose who delivers their supports, when and where.

In some cases, providers are still being paid a lump sum and delivering pre-paid supports to NDIS participants. Participants use these supports but don’t pay the supports with funds in their plans. These supports are known as ‘in-kind’ supports.

This is changing, and gradually in-kind supports will transition to the NDIS.

These changes give participants more choice and control over their supports.

If you are an NDIS participant who currently uses in-kind supports, we’ve got some information that may help you to understand how it works.

In-kind services

There are many types of pre-paid in-kind supports delivered right across Australia.

If you get an in-kind support, its value should be included in your plan if it is reasonable and necessary.

If you already get in-kind supports remember they have been pre-paid.

You don’t need to pay for them with your NDIS plan funds.

If you are unsure about your in-kind supports, contact your NDIS Planner or Local Area Coordinator (LAC). In particular, you should contact them if:

• You believe your planner didn’t consider your in-kind supports when your current plan was made
• You have started using an in-kind support where the value is not already in your plan

Your NDIS planner or LAC will then help you make sure the value of your in-kind supports is included your plan.

Who will provide your in-kind supports?

State, territory and Commonwealth governments have paid certain providers to deliver in-kind services.

If you use an in-kind service, one of these pre-paid providers will deliver your in-kind supports.

If you are not happy with your services or provider, you should talk to the provider.
You can also talk to your NDIS planner or LAC.

They will help you resolve any support issues.

In some cases, you can choose to stop using your in-kind service and start using your NDIS plan funds to pay a new provider for supports.

You can talk to your NDIS planner or LAC about whether this is an option for you.

Plan management for in-kind supports

You can choose who manages your NDIS plan but the NDIA must manage all your pre-paid in-kind supports.

The NDIA may set up a service booking to show your in-kind supports clearly.

An in-kind service booking is set up, so you don’t pay for your in-kind supports out of your NDIS plan. The service booking amount only represents the reasonable and necessary in-kind supports you get. Your in-kind provider doesn’t claim payment from this booking because they have already been paid.

Some participants’ plans have in-kind supports included as items and a service booking. If your plan includes an in-kind item, it is there to show the reasonable and necessary in-kind supports you get.

How in-kind support change will affect you?

When your in-kind supports stop being pre-paid, you will instead, get funding in your NDIS plan for these supports.

You can then choose your supports and pay for them from your plan funds.

This means you will be able to choose who provides your supports. You can change your service provider or stay with your current provider if they are going to continue delivering supports. It is up to you.

You will also be able to choose who manages your supports.

You, your nominee or a Plan Management provider may be able to manage them, or the NDIS can continue to manage them.

How to get ready for the change

You should take the following steps to get ready for when your pre-paid arrangements finish.

• At your next plan review or when you are getting ready for your initial plan, think about all the supports you get now. Make sure you let your planner know about these supports so that they can be considered in your plan.
• Think about the supports you may need to achieve your future goals and which providers can deliver these supports.
• Talk to your existing provider (or new provider) to make sure you have a new Service Agreement ready for when your in-kind supports stop being pre-paid.