If you are an NDIS participant and would like to live more independently, Supported Independent Living (SIL) can help you achieve that goal.

What is SIL?

SIL provides around the clock (24 hour) day-to-day support to people with disability. It can be invaluable if you require more support than your informal support network can provide, and you want to develop your skills to live independently.

If you have SIL included in your NDIS plan, you can get 24 hour day-to-day support with:

• Assistance with household tasks like cooking and cleaning

• Accessing social and community activities

• Personal care

• Travelling to and attending appointments and more

What’s the difference between SIL and SDA?

It’s easy to get SIL and Specialised Disability Accomodation (SDA) confused, as both supports aim to help people live independently. But while SIL is all about the supports provided while in the home, SDA is all about the physical home itself, such as modifications to your house to accommodate your specific needs.

So SIL won’t fund your rent, modifications to the home itself, activities that are covered by other NDIS funding, or any other expenses.

How does SIL funding work?

If you have SIL included in your NDIS plan, you’ll receive special funding for it under the category Assistance with Daily life . While technically a Core Support, you’re unable to use your flexible Core budget to access it.

The amount of SIL funding the NDIS will provide depends on how exactly much support is required. The NDIS will base the amount on a quote from an SIL provider and from any supporting documentation like an Occupational Therapist’s (OT) report.

Support Coordination is an integral part of getting SIL funding, as your Support Coordinator will help explore your housing goals, find and connect you with the most suitable SIL provider and coordinate all your supporting documentation.

How do I get SIL included in my plan?

If SIL sounds like it would help you live the life you want, these are the steps to follow:

1. Have an OT perform an assessment to determine the level of support you require and whether you’re eligible for SIL funding.

2. Contact your support coordinator, who will work closely with you to find and connect you with the most suitable housing option and SIL provider.

3. The SIL provider will create a quote based on your support needs.

4. Your support coordinator will submit a change in circumstances form to the NDIS, letting them know you’d like to move into SIL accommodation.

5. The NDIS will review all the supporting evidence and the SIL providers quote to assess whether it’s reasonable and necessary. They’ll work directly with the SIL provider on this step.

6. Once approved, you can begin your journey in SIL accommodation.

Need help finding an SIL provider?

There are quite a number of SIL providers around, so it can be hard to know where to start. Support Coordination can be a valuable service, not only for finding the right SIL provider for you but for helping guide you through the entire process.

Have questions?

Want to find out discover more about SIL or how support Coordination can help you achieve your housing goals?

Chat with us online or give us a call on 0420375520