FOI 24/25-0368
DOCUMENT 10
Check eligibility – DIS – significant
functional impact
SGP KP Publishing
Exported on 2024-10-09 08:21:12
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FOI 24/25-0368
SGP KP Publishing – Check eligibility – DIS – significant functional impact
Table of Contents
1
Recent updates .................................................................................................................... 4
2
Before you start .................................................................................................................... 5
3
Evidence of significant functional impact ......................................................................... 6
3.1
Review evidence of the impairment that substantially reduces functional capacity ........... 6
4
Next steps ............................................................................................................................. 7
Table of Contents – 2
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This article provides guidance for all NDIA staff and partners to review evidence of the
impairment that substantially reduces functional capacity
Recent updates – 3
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1 Recent updates
3 October 2024
Article title changed from article - Check evidence for a decision - Significant functional
impact to Check eligibility – DIS – significant functional impact.
When we say DIS in a title, we mean disability requirements. We've added this to help
you quickly identity which articles are for disability or early intervention requirements.
Recent updates – 4
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2 Before you start
You have:
read
Our Guideline – Applying to the NDIS (external) including the section
Does your
impairment substantially reduce your functional capacity?
read
articles
Understand disability requirements, What evidence of disability is
required? and Make an access decision.
Before you start – 5
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3 Evidence of significant functional impact
3.1 Review evidence of the impairment that substantially
reduces functional capacity
We need to learn about the person's impairment before we can make a decision about their
eligibility.
To do this you need to check their application and evidence in PACE.
You need evidence the person's impairment substantially reduces their functional capacity in
one or more of the following areas:
communication
social
interaction
learning
mobility
self-care
self-management (if older than 6).
A person's needs might vary from time to time. This means they may go up and down each day
or each month. A good example of this can be progressive multiple sclerosis. We consider a
person's ability over time and take into account how their ability fluctuates.
When a person's impairment substantially reduces their functional capacity, they usually need
disability-specific supports to join in or do these tasks and activities.
These disability-specific supports include:
support from other people, such as physical assistance, guidance, supervision or
prompting.
assistive technology, equipment or home modifications prescribed by the person's
doctor, allied health professional or other medical professional.
To decide if a person is eligible, you need to determine their capacity and where they need
more help. To decide if a support is reasonable and necessary, you need to consider what
information you have available to identify if the person meets the NDIS funding criteria
(external).
If a person has more than one permanent impairment, you will need to consider them together
to see if their functional capacity is reduced substantially.
You need to consider:
the person's involvement in different areas of life, like at home, school, work and in the
community
how they carry out tasks and activities
any other factors impacting their everyday life.
The disability requirements are just one of the eligibility requirements. To be eligible for the
NDIS, the applicant must also meet the age and residence requirements. Go to article Check
eligibility – Age and residence requirements.
Evidence of significant functional impact – 6
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4 Next steps
If you are an access delegate:
to determine eligibility, continue to follow guidance in article Make an access decision -
pre-legislation changes or article Make an access decision – post-legislation changes.
to check the timeframes to make a decision, follow guidance in article Check decision –
Legislative timeframes.
Next steps – 7
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