Hi @-Liz- getting back to you at last, but if Mum appears I'll have to go.
So....getting accepted to the NDIS finally happened 18 months after my initial application (which you can do with your GP or clinically qualified allied health professional) and lots happened along the way, too much to write in one post. If you possibly can it is worth reading through this thread. The final stage of my trying to get approved was what's called an external appeal (you have to have done an internal appeal prior and been unsuccessful with that) ... with the external appeal we went to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal which can override NDIS/NDIA decisions. For this I had a disability advocate (google them in your state - I'm in NSW) and she got me a legal aid solicitor. They were amazing. I also had my sister-in-law acting as my carer/nominee.
The things we had to prove were
1. that my 'psychosocial disability' is lifelong and permanent. (That's what NDIS calls mental health disabilities. In my case I have complex PTSD since a child which is not likely to ever be healed, just managed, along with bipolar 1 which is lifelong and episodic.
2. functional effects of my disability in all the 5 categories that are on the initial access request form. This part is crucial as the NDIS are more focussed on functional limitations/effects than the actual diagnostic label.
3. that there was something unique in my case (that's needed to get the solicitor and to get the AAT involved). Again it was the combination of the cPTSD and BP 1 and the ways in which they compound each other and are entwined.
4. that my goals are reasonable and necessary and will give me improved choice and control in my life.
5. that all mainstream medical services had been exhausted and were insufficient.
Note - I have deliberately used NDIS language above - one of the things that is a challenge when applying is that they basically have a language of their own, with lots of really specific catch phrases.
I had very detailed reports from clinical psychologist, psychiatrist and a mental health occupational therapist assessment. In the end the NDIS conceded and accepted me 2 days before the hearing was scheduled! Everyone said they gave in so that my case didn't set a precedent that others could use.
If you do apply and are granted a 'planning meeting' you can request face to face instead of over the phone, and there's a list of questions they are likely to ask you around page 57-58 of this thread that lots of people have found helpful.
Practical benefits are really effective in improving my quality of life and 'capacity building' my skills to better manage my conditions. The Recovery Model defines the outcomes I am working towards. I have support workers 12 hours a week average who get me to all my essential appointments, errands such as grocery shopping, chemist etc, public transport training and independent mobility, community engagement e.g. writing groups, live readings at the art gallery, women's centre activities, computer courses, water tai chi, activities with the local disability alliance and more. I am even able to have driving lessons with a mental health occupational therapist instructor. And the single biggest thing is that I'm funded for much more psychology per year than the mainstream mental health care plan enables ( that's only 10 sessions per year and this way I'm able to have a minimum of 40 or so so I can go weekly or fortnightly for the whole year). My funds also cover a 'coordinator of supports' and a 'plan manager'.
Hopefully I've answered your questions adequately. I'm happy to discuss all this further, but as I have said I won't be here between 26th Dec and 8th Jan, so you'll have to be patient with me.
Take care, Eth.
Edit 21/1/20 : Tagging you here too @Wanderer in case any of the above is helpful for you too.
