Supported Living Fund Guidelines - Respite Choices · The Supported Living Fund Guidelines have...

Supported Living Fund Guidelines Choosing the Supported Living Fund

Version 1.4

Accommodation Policy and Development Ageing, Disability and Home Care, Department of Family and Community Services NSW

May 2012

Supported Living Fund (SLF) Guidelines – May 2012

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Document approval

The Supported Living Fund Guidelines have been endorsed and approved by:

Deputy Director-General, ADHC

Approved: 11/5/12

X Signature on file

Executive Director, APD, ADHC

Approved: 11/5/12

X Signature on file

Document version control Distribution:

Document name: Supported Living Fund Guidelines

Version: Version 1.4

Document status: Final

File name: Supported Living Fund Guidelines

Authoring unit: Accommodation Policy and Development

Date: May 2012


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Acknowledgements

This booklet has been created by Ageing, Disability and Home Care, which is part of the NSW Government.

We would like to thank the people who contributed their ideas and thoughts about the information in this booklet.

We also welcome any feedback on these guidelines to help us improve the Supported Living Fund initiative into the future.

Please send feedback to [email protected].


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Where can I get more information?

If you need more information, please visit our website at www.adhc.nsw.gov.au.

You can also call your local Ageing, Disability and Home Care office. A list of these offices starts on page 28.

To download a PDF version of this document, please visit:

http://www.adhc.nsw.gov.au/publications/documents.

For TTW (telephone typewriter) please call (02) 8270 2167.

If you need an interpreter, please call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 and then ask them to telephone Ageing, Disability and Home Care on 1800 761 030. Our business hours are 8:30am – 5pm.

Arabic

الرقم على (TIS National) والشفهية الخطية الترجمة بخدمة االتصال الرجاء مترجم، إلى بحاجة آنتم إذا الرقم على Ageing, Disability and Home Care بوآالتآم االتصال منهم والطلب ،450 131

am – 5 pm 8:30 هي عملنا أوقات. 303 761 1800

Cantonese

Greek

Aν χρειάζεστε διερμηνέα, παρακαλείστε να τηλεφωνήσετε στην Υπηρεσία Μετάφρασης και Διερμηνείας (Εθνική Υπηρεσία TIS) στο 131 450 και ζητήστε να τηλεφωνήσουν Ageing, Disability and Home Care στο 1800 761 303. Οι ώρες λειτουργίας μας είναι 8:30am – 5pm.


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Korean

Mandarin

Persian

شماره – (TIS National)" خدمات ترجمه کتبی و شفاهی"ًاگر به مترجم شفاهی نياز داريد لطفا به شماره ــ Ageing, Disability and Home Care تلفن کنيد و از آنها بخواهيد به – 131 450

. است 8:30am – 5pm ساعات کار ما. تلفن کنند– 303 761 1800

Russian

Если вам нужен переводчик, то позвоните в Службу письменного и устного перевода (TIS National) по номеру 131 450 и скажите переводчику, что вам нужно позвонить в Ageing, Disability and Home Care по номеру 1800 761 303. Наш распорядок работы: 8:30am – 5pm.

Serbian

Ако вам је потребан тумач, молимо вас да позовете Службу преводилаца и тумача (Translating and Interpreting Service - TIS National) на 131 450 и замолите их да позову Ageing, Disability and Home Care на 1800 761 303. Наше радно време је 8:30am – 5pm.

Spanish

Si necesita intérprete, llame al Servicio de Traducción e Interpretación - Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) al 131 450 y pídales que llamen a Ageing, Disability and Home Care al 1800 761 303. Nuestro horario de atención es 8:30am – 5pm.

Turkish

Tercümana ihtiyacınız varsa, 131 450 numaralı telefondan Yazılı ve Sözlü Tercüme Servisini (TIS National) arayınız ve sizi 1800 761 303 numaralı telefondan Ageing, Disability and Home Care ile görüştürmelerini isteyiniz. Çalışma saatlerimiz 8:30am – 5pm.

Vietnamese

Nếu cần thông ngôn viên, xin quý vị gọi cho Dịch Vụ Thông Phiên Dịch (TIS Toàn Quốc) qua số 131 450 và nhờ họ gọi cho Ageing, Disability and Home Care qua số 1800 761 303. Giờ làm việc của chúng tôi là 8:30am – 5pm.


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What’s in this booklet? 1. Background ........................................................................................................... 6

Introduction ................................................................................................................ 6

What is individualised funding?.................................................................................. 6

What is supported living? ........................................................................................... 7

2. What is this booklet about? ................................................................................... 8

What is the Supported Living Fund (SLF)? ................................................................ 8

What are the guiding principles?................................................................................ 8

3. Who can access the SLF?................................................................................... 11

Who is eligible to apply? .......................................................................................... 11

Who would the SLF be suitable for? ........................................................................ 11

Can a few people put in a joint proposal? ................................................................ 12

How will ADHC decide who receives the SLF?........................................................ 12

4. Choosing the SLF................................................................................................ 13

What will it be like if I choose the SLF?.................................................................... 13

Will my SLF affect my existing supports? ................................................................ 13

5. Who does what with the SLF?............................................................................. 15

What will I need to do?............................................................................................. 15

What does my Support Planner do? ........................................................................ 16

What does my chosen service provider do? ............................................................ 16

Can I have a family member or friend work with me? .............................................. 17

6. Getting started - managing my SLF..................................................................... 18

Using the SLF .......................................................................................................... 18

7. What if something in my life changes? ................................................................ 21

How do we review my Support Plan? ...................................................................... 21

Who is responsible to report back about how my SLF money is spent?.................. 22

Can I change my SLF service provider? .................................................................. 22

What if I decide that SLF is not right for me? ........................................................... 22

8. How do I manage my SLF money? ..................................................................... 24

Does the SLF money come directly to me? ............................................................. 24

What can I spend my SLF money on? ..................................................................... 24

Who can provide paid supports?.............................................................................. 26

What can’t I spend my SLF money on? ................................................................... 26

How can I plan and budget for unexpected events? ................................................ 27

9. Where can I get more information? ..................................................................... 28


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1. Background

Introduction

The NSW Government is committed to improving the lives of people with a disability, their families and carers. People with a disability, their families and carers have expressed the need for greater choice and control over state-based disability funding and resources, and the supports and services they access in their daily lives. To ensure that these people are at the centre of decision making about the services they need, the NSW Government will implement person centred approaches by the end of 2014.

Ageing, Disability and Home Care’s (ADHC’s) strategic direction is guided by Stronger Together: A new direction for disability services in NSW 2006-2016. This involves developing a comprehensive plan for reshaping the disability service system.

ADHC is looking to expand the range of accommodation support options to offer more choice for people with a disability, their families, carers and support networks. This includes promoting individualised funding and supported living arrangements for people with a disability, their families, carers and support networks that are inclusive and designed around individual needs.

What is individualised funding?

Individualised funding packages will give people with a disability more choice and control over their lives and futures, including how the system supports them.

Essentially, individualised funding means that funding is allocated to meet a person’s particular needs and aspirations regarding how they want to live their life, which is detailed in their Support Plan. The funding is portable and will remain with the individual and be administered by a service provider of their choice.

ADHC is looking at broadening how people can manage their individual package. In the future, there may be other funding options for individual packages, such as direct payments for people with a disability.


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All funding and services provided are to be in accordance with the principles of the NSW Disability Services Act 1993, the Disability Service Standards and all other relevant legislation.

What is supported living?

Supported living is quite a simple idea. People with a disability should have real choices and control over decisions on: where to live, who to live with and the supports required to live the lifestyle they choose.

A person with a disability receives the support he/she needs to live in their own home. If the person needs to change the support they receive, this can also be changed.

Supported living involves:

emphasis on the person.

community inclusion.

new ways of looking at support, based on a mix of unpaid, informal relationships, complemented by paid, formal support that is flexible and tailored to the individual.

a service provider supporting the person with a disability and their family, carers and support networks to enable them to have a high degree of influence on matters that affect his/her life.

a separation of housing and support.

This means the support services fit the person, the person does not have to fit the services.

ADHC will review the outcomes of the Supported Living Fund so that improvements can be made into the future.


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2. What is this booklet about?

This booklet is about the Supported Living Fund (SLF).

It explains what the SLF is and how it works so that you can decide if it is right for you.

In NSW, adults with a disability can receive money from the Government to pay for services and supports. The SLF is one of the ways of doing this.

The information contained in this booklet may need to be updated in the future.

What is the Supported Living Fund (SLF)?

The SLF is money to be used for your support needs, to help you to live in a place of your own. The SLF allows for an average of $50,000 per person per annum to sustain and realise supported living arrangements.

The SLF is individualised funding which allows you greater flexibility and choice. It is in your name. It is about support for you.

The money is paid to a service provider. This is an organisation that provides support and services to people with a disability.

To receive the SLF, you will need to develop a Support Plan. Part of this will include a budget to show how you plan to spend your money.

You will get help to develop a Support Plan.

You can move from one service provider to another without having to change your current living arrangement or location and your funding will remain the same.

What are the guiding principles?

The Supported Living Fund has been created to:

Be person centred and individualised: The person with disability, their family and support network will be assisted to build a vision, to plan and to have choice and control over the important decisions that affect their lives.


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Be genuinely inclusive: Supports facilitate meaningful participation and inclusion in the community and actively engage others formally and informally regarding a person’s support arrangements.

Promote choice and control: Supports are provided in a way that suits the person with a disability who together with his/her family, carer and support network will be able to determine when, where, how and by whom supports are provided and where and with whom the person lives. The supports will be directed by and be responsive to the changing needs of the person with a disability, their family and carers, providing ongoing opportunities for challenges and growth.

Be culturally responsive: Support and planning considers and reflects the cultural and linguistic background of the person with a disability, their family and carers.

Value and respect relationships: Support and planning values and respects the relationships a person with a disability has with family, carers and other important people. It values and respects their contributions and emphasises identification, development and support of relationships and meaningful networks.

Be life building: The focus of support is long term with an ongoing pursuit of autonomy and lifelong personal fulfilment for the person with a disability.

Separate housing and support: Funding is attached to the individual and is portable and not attached to a specific housing arrangement or location. Housing rights for the person with a disability are separate to, and not reliant upon, the provision of any supports for that location.

Be accessible: People with a disability, their family and carers will have access to the information they need, in the format they need, to assist them to set goals and make plans, decisions and choices about their lives.

Provide learning opportunities and capacity building: There will be opportunities for people with a disability, their family, carers, networks and the local community to learn about new ideas and best practice, share information, resources and successes, and to build their individual and joint capacity.

Be cost effective: Individual budgets, designed by the person with a disability and their support network, will reflect a mix of support options from the resources available. It will focus on what can be obtained through community, informal and other identified programs or sources, with a focus on developing increased informal supports.


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Be responsive: People with a disability and their networks will drive the ongoing review of their own goals, supports and living arrangements, so that support is reflective of changing needs and future aspirations.

Be accountable: A simple record keeping system will provide evidence of expenditure against an agreed individual budget, and will be in keeping with Government accountability requirements.


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3. Who can access the SLF?

Who is eligible to apply?

To be eligible to receive a SLF package you must be:

an adult (18 - 64 years1) with a disability as defined by the NSW Disability Services Act 1993;

a resident of NSW; and

interested in living in a home of your own, with a mix of informal and formal/paid support arrangements that are adequate and sustainable.

Who would the SLF be suitable for?

The SLF would be suitable for people with a disability and their family, carers and support networks who:

are not in crisis;

have an understanding of the Supported Living Fund and are committed to making it work;

can demonstrate that an informal support network exists or has the capacity to be developed;

have living arrangements that can be sustained within his/her plan and within the allocated budget with a mix of formal/paid and informal supports;

currently have access to stable living arrangements and/or are willing to commit time to explore alternative living arrangements; and

are interested in providing feedback about their experience.

1 People with a disability under the age of 18 may be considered in exceptional circumstances


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Can a few people put in a joint proposal?

SLF packages are also an option for people who want to live with friends or siblings. Proposals to include other people need to link in with the Support Plans of those concerned and the living arrangement must be sustainable without relying on any combined funding.

How will ADHC decide who receives the SLF?

Your SLF Proposal Form (application form) will be considered by the relevant Regional Allocation Committee to determine whether you are eligible and prioritised to be offered a SLF package.

The Regional Allocation Committee will be made up of:

An ADHC regional office representative.

A service provider representative.

A parent/carer or advocacy representative.

The SLF Proposal Form is available on the ADHC website at http://www.adhc.nsw.gov.au/individuals/support/somewhere_to_live/slfregistrations. There is support available for people to complete their SLF Proposal Form. Please refer to the website for further details.

The Proposal Form is available in either electronic form that can be completed on a computer and emailed, or as a printable version that can be completed in writing and sent back to the address provided on the Form.


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4. Choosing the SLF

If you choose the SLF, you can choose to live your life your way and access the types of services and supports that help develop your confidence, your abilities and your quality of life.

What will it be like if I choose the SLF?

The SLF will enable you and your family and carers to decide what suits you best and the types of support that meets your needs, within the amount of money that you receive.

You will be encouraged to lead the decision making, together with your family, carers and support networks, to decide what you want and if you are happy with the types of supports that you receive, including the choice of service providers.

You will be given help to develop your Support Plan and you will have access to a range of formal supports from community service and specialist disability service providers and informal supports from your family, friends and other community or social networks.

Will my SLF affect my existing supports?

A SLF package will be used to complement existing informal and/or generic community services.

If you choose the SLF, you can still receive some existing services such as your day program, as long as these supports are not duplicated within your SLF Support Plan.

If you receive Attendant Care Program (ACP) funding or High Needs Pool (HNP) funding, you may still be able to receive the SLF if you meet the eligibility criteria and the proposed supports don’t replicate or supplement your existing ACP or HNP personal care support hours.

If you and your family or carer are currently receiving a respite package and are successful in receiving the SLF, you may be able to retain your existing respite for a period of time as you transition into a home of your own. This would have to be agreed as part of your approved Support Plan.

People who receive a recreational program funded through respite will need to pay for this from their SLF package.


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If you receive Home Care services on a planned and regular basis, you will need to purchase these services out of your SLF package or pay the fee from your own resources. You may receive some Home Care services in addition to your SLF in exceptional circumstances for a short time only, for example a recovery period from an injury or returning home from a hospital stay.

There may be other types of funding that you receive which could impact on the SLF and you will need to discuss this with your support planner, case manager, service provider, or local ADHC office.

If your family member or carer receives the Carer Payment and/or Carer Allowance to assist you, their eligibility status for these payments may change if you receive a SLF package, depending upon the type and level of supports you receive. For more information please contact your local Centrelink office or go to www.centrelink.gov.au


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5. Who does what with the SLF?

In the SLF everyone has certain responsibilities to make sure that everything works well.

What will I need to do?

You will work with your family or carer to:

develop a Support Plan and a budget with assistance you’re your service provider and/or Support Planner;

choose supports and services (for example classes, social activities, personal care, recreation activities), and wherever possible, participate in the community;

choose your own support staff, either from among the staff already employed by the service provider or another source;

be involved in managing staff, rosters and budgets as agreed with your service provider;

co-ordinate the day-to-day support you receive (unless you choose to give this responsibility to your service provider);

approve expenditure or budgets (as agreed with your service provider); and

submit invoices and receipts for services delivered.

When you are choosing staff (people who are paid to assist you), there are a few steps involved. For example, you might already know someone you want to work for you, or you might need to advertise to find someone. You’ll need to teach people about the work you want them to do.

Your service provider will help you through the process of hiring and training the people who work with you.


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What does my Support Planner do?

Temporary Support Planner positions2 have been created to help with the first 18 months of the Supported Living Fund roll out.

The Support Planner may help with:

initial planning when you are getting started with the SLF;

supporting you, your family, carers and support networks with technical assistance as to how to make supported living work for you;

providing assistance to help you choose a suitable service provider and help you cost your supports; and

providing support for service providers as you start implementing your Support Plan.

ADHC will provide contact details of your Support Planner if you are successful in receiving a SLF package.

What does my chosen service provider do?

Your SLF service provider is there to offer you information and support.

Your service provider can help with:

managing your funding, purchasing supports and services;

providing a human resource function (legal employer of staff, insurances, work health and safety, workplace/Awards obligations);

ongoing support to assist you to implement your Support Plan;

assisting you to review your Support Plan;

providing support (for example, direct staffing if requested);

building and supporting your networks; and

participating in the evaluation of the SLF.

Your service provider may help you a little or a lot depending on the level of support and assistance that you request.

2 The Support Planner costs are funded separately to the SLF individual budget.


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When you first start using the SLF, you may need a lot of support. But after a while you might not need as much help from the service provider.

Can I have a family member or friend work with me?

Yes. If you decide that you would like a family member or friend to work with you and it is consistent with your Support Plan, they will need to be treated like any other paid staff member.

Before you decide to have family members or friends working with you, there are some things you should think about:

Family members or friends engaged as a paid carer must be employed by a service provider.

You may wish to work together with your family, carer, support network or service provider on developing the job description, work tasks and responsibilities that are necessary to support you.

The family member or friend must not be a person who lives in the same house as you.3

3 Funding cannot be used to employ family members or friends living in the same home except in areas of the State with known staffing shortages, such as rural and remote areas, and only up to three months, provided the family member is paid through a recruitment agency or service provider. This will be subject to review and must be in accordance with a person’s approved Support Plan.


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6. Getting started - managing my SLF

Using the SLF

There are several steps to take when you start to use the SLF.

Step 1 – Talk with your Support Planner

Discuss the things that are important to you, the kind of life you would like to live and the things that you want to achieve now and in the future. The Support Planner will help you to:

understand how the SLF can help you;

think about your Support Plan for the future and the supports that you need to live the way you want;

agree on the most suitable person or people you want involved in planning your supports, and what role they will have; and

establish your budget and how to use your SLF money.

Step 2 – Work with your Support Planner to develop a Support Plan

You and your Support Planner will create a Support Plan, which should be based on your SLF Proposal Form. This is a document that explains what you want to do, what you will be doing and what support you need. If you haven’t made a plan before, you can get help from your Support Planner or service provider. If you want to, you can always change your Support Plan and ask for help to do this if you need it.

The Support Plan will include:

a list of the people who can help you to reach your goals;

how your support services can work together to help you;

considerations that things can change like your needs, abilities and the needs and abilities of your family, carers and support networks;

a description of the type of housing that you are planning to live in;


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details of what you need to do as well as your family or carers and others involved in your Support Plan;

a date to review your Support Plan;

a record of what you would like to do and how to do it; and

details of what you would like to purchase and how much it costs.

You may wish to add other things to your Support Plan.

Step 3 – Decide on a service provider

You can choose to stay with your current service provider (if you have one) or you can choose a new service provider.

Your chosen service provider administers your SLF money. Your service provider will charge you a small administrative or management fee to manage your SLF money. This will come from your SLF package.

Service providers may charge up to 12% of your funding package to do the financial and legal tasks for you, depending on the level of support agreed. Service providers will need to give you clear advice about their fee structure and what their administration or management fee means. For example, some of the things this charge covers may include:

managing your funding, purchasing supports and services; providing information and support to you and your family and

carers; providing a human resource function (legal employer of staff,

insurances, work health and safety, workplace/Awards obligations); and

ongoing support to assist you to implement and review your Support Plan.

They are responsible for reporting back to ADHC about how your money is spent and the services that you are receiving.

Your service provider can also provide supports directly to you if you want. They may employ the support staff you choose to help with your daily activities and support needs.


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Step 4 – Check to make sure that everything is going well

There will be regular meetings with your Support Planner and service provider to make sure that you’re happy with the way things are going.


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7. What if something in my life changes?

You can choose to change the services and supports you purchase with your SLF funding at any time. The change might be temporary or permanent.

For example, you may get sick and find that you can’t do all the things you wanted to do.

Or, you may find a new interest that you’d like to pursue such as a class at the local fitness centre.

You should talk to your service provider about any changes you want to make as soon as possible. You will need to think about how a change to your Support Plan might impact your support staff, your SLF budget and your goals.

If you want to make any big changes to your Support Plan, you need to talk to your service provider first. Any significant and permanent changes to your Support Plan still need to be in line with your goals and within your allocated budget. Once you have informed the service provider about the changes you wish to make, your Support Plan will be amended accordingly.

How do we review my Support Plan?

It is important that you play a central role in the review of your Support Plan to see if everything is going well. Others who may be involved in the review of your Support Plan include your family, carers and support network, your Support Planner, service provider and anyone else you choose. This will take place every six months (or more frequently if indicated in your Support Plan or if there have been significant changes in your life).

This will be an opportunity to consider what aspects of the Support Plan have worked well and which have not, and to make improvements within your current budget.

If the review indicates that a major change in your support is needed which might affect your budget, it must be raised with your ADHC Region for consideration and approval. A formal review of your Support Plan can be requested by you and your family, carers and support network at any time if your support needs change significantly.


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Who is responsible to report back about how my SLF money is spent?

The financial reporting on your SLF budget is the responsibility of your nominated service provider.

You will be responsible for reporting to your service provider about how you spend your money. This may involve keeping records and receipts of your expenditure, dependent upon your agreed level of support from your service provider. It may also involve authorising payments and approving timesheets for support staff.

Can I change my SLF service provider?

Yes. You can choose the service provider that is right for you.

There are many reasons why you might change service providers, including:

you might move to a new area.

you might not be happy with the service and support you are receiving.

you might change your mind about the things you want to do.

If you move to a new service provider, your money moves with you.

If you decide to change service providers, you will need to tell your current provider and your ADHC regional office. The contact details are listed from page 28 of this booklet.

Your current service provider can help you choose your new service provider and organise, with your ADHC regional office, a start date and transfer to the new provider.

What if I decide that SLF is not right for me?

You don’t have to use the SLF if it is not right for you. If you feel that the SLF isn’t right for you, please talk to your Support Planner and service provider. It is the Support Planner’s role to discuss concerns with you, your family, carer and, where applicable, support network, to determine if any identified issues can be resolved.

You can choose to exit from your SLF package at anytime. This is most likely to occur once it is identified that the SLF is not suitable for you (for example, you may not have the resources or motivation to engage and maintain your support network).


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If you have explored all of your available options and you still decide that the SLF is not right for you, the SLF Support Planner will work with you and your support networks to identify alternative support options and help you during this transition.

If you decide to exit the SLF, you may reapply. You will, however, need to go through the intake and prioritisation process again.


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8. How do I manage my SLF money?

Does the SLF money come directly to me?

The SLF money won’t come directly to you. The service provider looks after the money and you decide how it is spent.

As mentioned on page 19 of this booklet, your service provider receives some money from your funding to do the financial and legal tasks for you. They may charge up to 12% of your SLF money. Your service provider will discuss this with you.

The rest of the money is spent on helping you to do the things you want and paying the staff that you choose.

What can I spend my SLF money on?

You are encouraged to think creatively about what you will need in your supported living arrangement. This may include the more traditional supports such as personal care and therapy, or it may involve a unique approach for your individual circumstances. Any planned expenditure must be detailed in your Support Plan.

This may involve:

developing plans for the move to supported living;

paying for supports needed to assist you to live as independently as possible and maintain or widen your options within the community;

attending life skills programs and other courses (e.g. cooking, work skills);

increasing your circles of support and informal networks;

paying for specialist equipment you need in your home (e.g. hoist, technical aids);

paying for support so that you can participate in community and recreation opportunities. Support costs can include expenses incurred by the person providing the support. For example,


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transport and tickets/entry fees for your support person (but not for you);4

supplementing some of your transport costs, where these costs are not fully covered by other schemes (e.g. Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme, Mobility Allowance) or you are unable to pay it from your own money;

paying for goods or supports from other community or government programs if you are otherwise unable to access these goods or supports in a timely manner; or

paying for supports or resources to increase networking, communication, and/or improve lifestyle routines.

Using SLF funds for the contribution towards home modifications, aids and equipment is permitted only if you are not eligible to access supports from other funding options, such as Enable NSW and Home and Community Care, or due to the expected timeframe this will impact on your ability to move to supported living. Funding allocated for these purchases will be negotiated on an individual basis and must not exceed $4,999 (including GST, delivery, installation and any other related charges) per annum5.

You can buy services from the service provider who is holding your money, from another service provider, or other people in your community who you may wish to support you.

The SLF may also be used to engage an interpreter. ADHC currently encourages people who need assistance in a language other than English to call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450. This is a free phone only service. Ongoing interpretation would need to be sourced separately and funded through the SLF.

4 You may wish to apply for a Companion Card. Applications are available through the National Disability Services NSW.

5 Purchases over the value of $4,999 (including GST, delivery, installation and any other related charges) spent on physical property is considered an asset and may be subject to the Minister’s equity.


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Who can provide paid supports?

Supports can be provided by:

general services or businesses in the community;

family members or friends who do not live in the same residence (refer to the exception listed in the footnote on page 17);

friends or neighbours; and

specialist disability services.

Your Support Planner, service provider or local ADHC office may be able to assist you to determine what is a reasonable price for the services you wish to purchase.

What can’t I spend my SLF money on?

SLF funding is not an income supplement for you or your family. It is allocated to assist with the accommodation support costs associated with your disability.

SLF funding should not be used to purchase items for you that everyone else would be expected to pay for, such as household expenses and items (including food and rent), tickets for recreation activities, daily living expenses, vehicles and vehicle running costs6. You will need to use your Disability Support Pension, Rent Assistance and Mobility Allowance (where applicable) to pay for these costs. Planned and agreed companion costs may be covered by the SLF or in some cases by Companion Card eligibility.

SLF funding cannot be used for:

income for you, your carer or your family (e.g. support provided from a family member living in the house where you live);

supports which have been proven to be ineffective or harmful;

purposes which put your support arrangements at significant risk;

6 Transport expenses related to the person may be reimbursed where it is demonstrated and

agreed that the transport was part of the proposed Support Plan. Purchasing private vehicles or running costs for individuals or families is not covered by the SLF.


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purposes which place you or another person at significant risk of harm;

supports provided by another government service or program except where included in your support plan to prevent your support arrangements being placed at significant risk (e.g. Enable NSW); or

illegal activities.

The SLF may not be used to buy goods and equipment, except where funding is allocated as per the agreed Support Plan and:

is shown to be directly necessary for your support needs; and

is shown that the goods and supports cannot be funded through other sources (including your pension, other government funding programs or other income).

How can I plan and budget for unexpected events?

If you or your family or carers wish, the service provider may accrue up to 5% of your budget for you per year to use for planned or unplanned events including:

you may have regular medical needs;

if you or your key person in your support network become ill; or

any other occasion where increased support may be required during a year.

Funds will be subject to ADHC’s annual acquittal process. If banking occurs it must be documented in your Support Plan.

It is recommended that cover for staffing emergencies, illness, holidays or unexpected contingencies be considered in your Support Plan.


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9. Where can I get more information?

You can get more information about the SLF from a service provider or ADHC office. To find out where your nearest SLF service provider is, contact your local ADHC office from the list below.

Metro South

Local Government Areas: Ashfield, Canterbury, Strathfield, Botany Bay, Randwick, Sydney, Bankstown, Fairfield, Wollondilly, Burwood, Leichhardt, Hurstville, Rockdale, Waverly, Camden, Liverpool, Canada Bay, Marrickville, Kogarah, Sutherland, Woollahra, Campbelltown, Wingecarribee

Telephone: 02 9334 3700

[email protected]

Metro North

Local Government Areas: Auburn, Holroyd, Blue Mountains, Hornsby, Lane Cove, North Sydney, Warringah, Baulkham Hills, Parramatta, Hawkesbury, Lithgow, Hunters Hill, Manly, Pittwater, Willoughby, Blacktown, Penrith, Ku-ring-gai, Mosman, Ryde

Telephone: 02 9841 9350

[email protected]


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Hunter

Local Government Areas: Gosford, Cessnock, Maitland, Port Stephens, Wyong, Dungog, Muswellbrook, Singleton, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Upper Hunter Shire

Toll Free: 1300 205 268

Telephone: 02 4978 6222

[email protected]

Northern

Local Government Areas: Ballina, Kyogle, Tweed, Bellingen, Great Lakes, Kempsey, Armidale, Dumaresq, Guyra, Liverpool Plains, Tamworth, Walcha, Byron, Lismore, Coffs Harbour, Greater Taree, Nambucca, Glen Innes Severn, Gwydir, Moree Plains, Tenterfield, Clarence Valley, Richmond Valley, Gloucester, Hastings, Lord Howe Island, Gunnedah, Inverell, Narrabri, Uralla

Toll Free: 1300 364 563

Telephone: 02 6621 1400

[email protected]


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Southern

Local Government Areas: Kiama, Wollongong, Bega Valley, Cooma-Monaro, Harden, Snowy River, Young, Shellharbour, Bombala, Eurobodalla, Palerang, Upper Lachlan, Shoalhaven, Boorowa, Goulburn Mulwaree, Queanbeyan, Yass Valley

Toll Free: 1300 841 566

Telephone: 02 6128 9200

[email protected]

Western

Local Government Areas: Bathurst, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes, Lachlan, Oberon, Orange, Parkes, Weddin, Balranald, Brewarrina, Bogan, Bourke, Broken Hill, Central Darling, Cobar, Coonamble, Dubbo, Gilgandra, Narromine, Walgett, Warren, Warrumbungle Shire, Wellington, Wentworth, Albury, Berrigan, Bland, Carrathool, Conargo, Coolamon, Cootamundra, Corowa Shire, Deniliquin, Greater Hume Shire, Griffith, Gundagai, Hay, Jerilderie, Junee, Leeton, Lockhart, Murray, Murrumbidgee, Narrandera, Temora, Tumbarumba, Tumut Shire, Urana, Wagga Wagga, Wakool

Toll Free: 1300 134 450

Telephone: 02 6841 1594

[email protected]

Ageing, Disability and Home Care

Department of Family and Community Services NSW

Level 5, 83 Clarence Street Sydney NSW 2000

Phone 02 8270 2000 TTY 02 8270 2167

Web www.adhc.nsw.gov.au

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