What is In vs Out – NDIS Supports: Social Community Civic Participation

Social and community participation is about meeting people with similar interests and joining in social and community activities. It means going where others go, doing what others do, with other people and choosing activities you enjoy. Social and community participation also means different things to different people. It can include going to your local cafe, joining a netball team, bushwalking with a friend, doing a craft class, getting work experience, or volunteering.

It is important to remember NDIS funding can not be used to pay for the activity, unless the total cost comes under the hourly rate (see below!). It is an everyday cost to pay for social and recreational activities which is why the NDIS see this as something they would not fund separately. They will pay for a support worker to assist a participant in attending and participating in a social activity.

If your activity is being delivered through a group and centre-based program and the costs of the activity and the support you need are fully covered by the hourly rate charged by the provider in line with the NDIS Pricing Arrangements, you can purchase your group and centre-based program using your NDIS funds. This goes for both disability specific and non-disability specific programs.

If your group and centre-based program does not cover the costs of an activity within the hourly rate they charge to support you in that activity then you will need to pay for the cost of the activity yourself.

For example, if your group and centre-based program goes bowling and the cost of bowling is not covered by the approved hourly rate then you need to pay for these costs yourself.

If you are ever in doubt, always speak with your NDIS contact (local area coordinator, early childhood partner or NDIA planner) for clarity about the new NDIS supports. They can give you answers around how the changes might affect your situation based on the supports and services you have been accessing.