The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is Australia’s core support system for people with a disability. Participants apply for an NDIS plan, which outlines their short-term and long-term goals, and registered NDIS providers supply supports to help participants achieve these goals.
The eligibility criteria says you need to be aged between 7 and 65 to access an NDIS plan. But what happens when you turn 66? In the article below, we outline exactly what happens when you surpass the age restriction for the NDIS and the next steps you need to take.
Absolute Care & Health is a registered NDIS provider. We provide personalised supports based on the goals outlined in your NDIS plan. Get in touch with us to find out how we can help you.
Can you apply for the NDIS if you’re over 65?
No. You can, however, access support from the government’s aged care system. Basic assistance at home is offered through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) and more comprehensive support is available through the Home Care Packages program. If you’d like to find out more about how to access these services, go to the My Aged Care website. You’ll need to provide basic information to ensure you meet the eligibility requirements, such as:
- Your health
- How you’re managing at home
- Any other supports you may be receiving
Can you keep the NDIS after you turn 65?
If you started receiving NDIS supports before you turned 65, you can continue to receive services even after you’ve aged past 65. You can choose whether you want to continue to receive NDIS supports, or whether you’d like to access support through the Commonwealth aged system.
If you choose to continue receiving supports through the NDIS, nothing changes. You don’t have to worry about choosing a different provider, or a reduction in funding.
What is the difference between the NDIS and the commonwealth age care system?
The key difference between NDIS and My Aged Care supports is the level of funding required. Both provide services which will enable you to have the best quality of life possible but the way in which supports are provided differs.
The NDIS provides:
- Supports and services which are aligned with the goals laid out in your NDIS plan
My Aged Care provides:
- A range of government-funded services designed to help you live independently
Both the NDIS and My Aged Care systems offer similar supports, designed to help participants achieve goals. The way in which these supports and services are provided differs according to the level of funding offered and eligibility requirements.
What you can access with the NDIS
Depending on the goals outlined in your NDIS plan, you can receive help with:
- Accessing employment
- Reaching out to to your community
- Assistance with day-to-day tasks around the home
- Support with costs for capital expenses
What you can access with My Aged Care systems
You can decide to enter into an aged care home, or you might choose to access services where an aged care service worker attends your home to help you maintain your independence. The Australian Government subsidises funding for these supports. The kind of help you can receive include:
- Personal care
- Allied health services
- Providing access to the community
- Managing medications
- Companion care
In summary
If you’ve been receiving NDIS support services before you turn 65, you can continue to receive the same services. But if you’ve developed a disability past the age of 65, you’ll need to access My Aged Care systems. To find out more, we suggest visiting the My Aged Care website or the NDIS website.
Why choose Absolute Care & Health
We’re committed to providing supports and services suited to your NDIS plan. We want to help you achieve the goals you’ve outlined in your plan.
We are a registered NDIS provider, and we also specialise in providing aged care support within the home. We’re passionate about providing tailored and personalised care to each and every one of our clients. We work work with you to ensure you can achieve the best quality of life possible.
At Absolute Care & Health, we can help you with your NDIS plan. Get in touch with us to find out how we’ll help you reach your goals today.
  
 
