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Individual Support Package frequently asked questions

Information on this page:

Individual Support Package general information

1. Under the new Individual Support Package arrangements, what services can I purchase?

You have a key role in determining what supports you will use. The funding can be used for a range of supports that will meet your disability support needs. This may include support to:

  • live as independently as possible
  • participate in the community
  • strengthen relationships with family and friends
  • learn new skills.

2. What is the difference between HomeFirst and Individual Support Packages?

HomeFirst was allocated as a number of hours of service, whereas Individual Support Packages are allocated as a package of funding that you can use to purchase a flexible range of supports, including hours of support and other services to meet your individual needs and preferences.

3. Can I continue to 'bank' my hours like I did under HomeFirst?

You can use the funds within your Individual Support Package flexibly to meet your needs, based on what is in your agreed plan. Unspent funds can build up for a number of reasons. From 1 July 2008, you will be able to carry forward unspent funds up to $1,500 or 5% of your annual allocation (whichever is greater) into the next funding period.

4. What if I like things the way they are?

If you are happy with the way things are, nothing should change for you. Your level of funding will remain the same and you will continue to receive the same level and type of supports. If you identify the need for a change you can request a review of your support plan.

5. If I receive an Individual Support Package does it affect my disability pension?

An Individual Support Package is for your disability supports. It is not a form of income and therefore does not affect your disability pension.

6. What happens to people who accessed one or more of the previous funding packages? Will they continue to receive the same funding allocation after 1 July, 2008?

If you accessed one or more of the funding packages prior to 1 July 2008 (that is: HomeFirst, Support and Choice and Community Options/Futures for Young Adults Years 1-8) you will continue to receive the same funding allocation until your support plan is reviewed. The review may occur at the agreed review date of your current plan, or earlier if your needs have changed and you request an earlier review.

7. What if I need additional funding?

The allocation of new funding has to take into account the availability of funding and consider priority criteria for support. If your circumstances or needs have changed and you need additional support you may request a review of your plan.

Planning for my support

8. If I have had a number of packages that have become a single package, how will my support plans come together? When will my support plan be reviewed?

At the moment you may have a funding plan for each funding package. Your support plan(s) must be reviewed every three years, but may be reviewed at any time. A support plan and funding review will assist you to consider the outcomes you want and how supports will best meet your needs. This may occur at the agreed review date in your current plan(s), or earlier if your needs have changed and you request an earlier review. At the time of the review, the person responsible for leading the review will talk to you about your needs and explain how your support plans will come together from that point forward.

Individual Support Packages – funding administration arrangements

9. How is Individual Support Package funding administered?

There are different arrangements available to support people to use their funding flexibly. These arrangements are:

  • a financial intermediary (a service that holds the funds allocated to you in a trust-like arrangement)
  • a disability service provider (which provides services to you)
  • or a combination of both.

In the future, direct payments to the person or their nominated representative will be an available funding administration arrangement. The availability of direct payments is limited at this time while it is being developed through the Direct Payments Project. The Funding Administration Arrangements for Individual Support Packages information sheet provides more information about this topic. Download this information sheet from the Keeping informed of progress webpage on this site.

10. Will there be any changes to my current Individual Support Package funding administration arrangements as of 1 July 2008?

You can discuss funding administration arrangements with your facilitator at the time of your next scheduled review or before that if you wish. The arrangements you choose to administer your Individual Support Package funds will depend on how much control you want over your support services and the number and types of support services mentioned in your support plan. A facilitator will discuss these arrangements with you in more detail at the time of the review.

Further information

For further information or to ask questions about Individual Support Packages and/or how the changes may affect you, contact your regional Disability Intake and Response Service on 1800 783 783 or TTY 1800 008 149.

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