The NDIA is Putting the Microscope on STA Claims

Short-Term Accommodation (STA) has become an NDIA focus in recent months. In light of the recent NDIS review and the government's focus on bringing down NDIS spending, the microscope has been placed on STA claims.

Earlier this year, the NDIA announced it would be taking longer to approve claims to detect fraud and non-compliant behaviour. They have also placed a focus on complex invoices, with STA falling into this category.

Our recent experiences when submitting STA claims:

• Longer times for approval and processing on the NDIAs part; some claims have been held for multiple weeks.

• An increase in cases where there has been a request for additional information, asking for detailed explanations of what was included in the STA support.

• A high number of claims being declined by the NDIA, with some being deemed holidays.

We know the NDIS' interpretation of STA isn't as straightforward as it could be, which doesn't help participants or providers understand what can and cannot be claimed under this support.

The NDIS website states –

Short Term Accommodation, including respite, is funding for support and accommodation for a short time away from your usual home. It covers the cost of your care in another place for up to 14 days at a time. You might have a short stay with other people, or by yourself. It's often funded when your usual carers aren't available, or for you to try new things.

What the NDIS state STA is not for:

Short Term Accommodation is not for holidays and is not housing crisis situations.

What the NDIS state STA can be used for:

Short Term Accommodation funding can be used for respite to support you and your carers. This gives your carers a short break from their caring role.

Sometimes, a short stay away from home:

• gives you the chance to try new things

• can be a place to make new friends or develop new skills

• may help to maintain your current living situation by giving your informal supports a break.

Short Term Accommodation may suit your needs if your usual support network isn't available for a short period.?

Short Term Accommodation includes:

• personal care

• accommodation

• food

• activities you and the provider agree to.

We stress the importance of asking before engaging in STA!

You can do several things to help safeguard yourself from a situation where your request to the NDIA is declined, and you are left paying the provider out of your pocket.

1. Before engaging with an STA provider, it's crucial to consult your NDIS contact. Their confirmation that paying for STA support aligns with your plan's intention can provide you with the necessary reassurance before you engage with a provider.

2. If you have a Support Coordinator, their role is pivotal in helping you navigate the possibility of STA. They can provide valuable guidance on feasibility and the requirements for making an STA claim.

3. If you are Plan Managed, it's essential to communicate with your Plan Manager. Discuss your budget and the details of your conversation with the STA provider or your plans. This will ensure that your Plan Manager has all the necessary information to provide you with an accurate answer about using funds for STA.

What the NDIA will ask when deciding if funding can be used for STA:

• Is the need for Short Term Accommodation related to your disability?

• Does it help you pursue your goals?

• Does it help you to participate in the community?

• Is it value for money?

• How much support your family and other informal supports provide?

What to consider regarding these questions and how to think about them in more detail:

1. Is it related to your disability?

The NDIA can only fund STA if it relates to your disability support needs, such as for respite or skill building (through activities). STA may be funded if it allows your family or informal supports to support you for longer, reduces your need for support in the future, helps you maintain functional capacity or increases your independence.

STA wouldn't be funded as a medium or long-term accommodation option. It also wouldn't be funded if you were waiting on home modifications to be done.

2. Does it help you pursue your goals?

STA needs to support you in pursuing your goals, which could include increasing your independence or building your skills.

3. Does it help you participate in the community?

You must provide examples of how STA will help you participate in the community. For example, it might help you meet new people and develop your social skills, which you can take back to your everyday life.

4. Is it value for money?

The STA must show good value for money. The NDIA will consider its cost and potential benefits over time. They also look at whether you can share supports with other people and how many people you can safely do this with. The NDIA rarely funds individual supports in an STA setting. This is something to think about when you are deciding what suits you.

5. Is it expected that your family and informal supports provide care for you?

When deciding what supports the NDIA may fund, they also consider your informal care supports. They may fund STA along with other things that can help support your carers support you in the long term, for example, support to access the community, in-home care and support and capacity building supports. The NDIA will consider the risk to you and your family's wellbeing if they continue to support you without STA, as well as how the support provided by informal carers affects your independence, and compare this to the opportunities STA could bring to your independence.

The NDIA consider a range of different aspects when funding STA for children. The role and responsibility of parents in caring for children is also considered. The child's needs and the whole family situation is taken into account. Other funded supports may also be included in the conversation with the child and their family. These might include support in your home, training to carry out behavioural support plans, community access, help to support positive behaviour strategies, and supervision of behaviours of concern.

Without much warning, things can change quickly within the NDIS space, with STA being a perfect example. We are here to help. Please reach out if you have any questions about STA or if your plan covers this support before you take the next step to organising and committing to anything. We can not stress enough how important it is to discuss STA and whether it is the best use of your funds before you commit to anything.