Thinking if you can stay in a hotel, a caravan park, or an Airbnb using your NDIS funds for Short Term Accommodation (STA)?
There are plenty of factors to take into consideration before accessing STA support from your Core Support funds. Before booking your next stay, it is essential to ensure that your requested accommodation follows the “Reasonable and Necessary” criteria of the NDIS.
Here are some information that may be helpful:
What is Short Term Accommodation (STA)?
Short term accommodations, including respites, are supports that are extended to participants who need accommodations—a home away from home—for a short period of time.
The NDIS funding includes all expenses in a 24-hour period, which may cover: accommodation, personal care, food, and other services agreed upon by the participant and the provider.
STAs generally provide the following opportunities and benefits:
- An opportunity for the participant’s carer to take a short break from their caring role;
- An opportunity for the participant to try new things, develop new skills, or meet new friends;
- An opportunity to get temporary support while one’s usual support network are unavailable for a short period of time.
What can be NDIS funded:
The NDIS can support up to 28 days of Short Term Accommodation per calendar year. This can be used with flexibility, whether it’s a block of up to 14 days of stay or a weekend per month.
If a participant wants to access more than 28 days of STA per calendar year or a stay with more than 14 consecutive days, he/she must seek approval from the NDIS or your Local Area Coordinator (LAC).
Which NDIS funding do you need to use?
Short Term Accommodations and Respite Care supports will come from a participant’s Core Support budget (Assistance with Daily Living). Learn more about Core Support budgets here.
To learn about the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Pricing Limits, you can visit the NDIS website. Generally, funding is for a group price, unless a person needs individual support because of his/her disability.
When do you qualify for Short Term Accommodation support?
Any required funding will have to be evaluated if they are “reasonable and necessary” against the NDIS Funding Criteria.
As a general rule, the requested support will be funded by the NDIS if:
- it is related to your disability needs
- it will help with your individual goals and aspirations
- it will help your social and/or economic participation
- it will provide value for money
- it is effective and beneficial for you
- it helps maintain your informal support
- it is a responsibility of the NDIS to fund
What if you need support for longer-term arrangements?
In these instances, a participant may need to explore other options such as Supported Independent Living or Medium Term Accommodation.
Are you looking for STA (Short Term Accommodation) or Respite Care providers?
Visit NDSP’s Provider Finder and use our free directory to search for any type of service provider in your local area.
If you have questions about Short Term Accommodation and how these can be managed in your NDIS plan, contact us via email at info@ndsp.com.au or call us at 1800 63 63 77.
