QUEENSLAND TRANSITION TO NDIS ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
Please note this information has been reproduced from a flyer released today by Queensland Health. For ease of use we have transcribed it to a blog post.
The Medical Aids Subsidy Scheme (MASS) has collated information from Queensland Government websites to assist our clients and prescribers by noting when responsibility is planned to transfer from state schemes/ service providers to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). This is not intended to be a comprehensive summary but a guide as it applies to MASS services. The Department of Communities, Disability Services and Seniors has been designated the Lead Agency for the transition of Queensland to NDIS for people with a disability aged under 65 years. The Department of Communities, Disability Services and Seniors is coordinating the transition to the NDIS with other Queensland Government departments that support Queenslanders with disability in areas such as health, education, transport and housing. The below link will take you to the website containing this information:
https://www.communities.qld.gov.au/disability/ndis-queensland
NDIS IN QUEENSLAND
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE NDIS IN QUEENSLAND CAN BE ACCESSED BY THE BELOW LINK:
https://www.qld.gov.au/disability/adults/getting-help/national-disability-insurance-scheme-ndis
Of these questions the below relates to the MASS and is relevant to all services provided by the Queensland Government. It is printed in full for your information and can also be accessed using the above “frequently asked questions” link.
Information provided by Department of Communities, Disability Services and Seniors (DCDSS)
YES.
- People will continue to receive the Queensland Government funded disability services they currently receive until they become an NDIS participant with an approved plan, or by the end of the transition period in the area where they live. It’s therefore very important that existing users of disability services move to the NDIS before the end of transition in their area. Use the online search to find the transition period for your area.
- When the NDIS is introduced in each location, eligible participants will move to the NDIS and have choice and control over their supports and services.
- The Queensland Government will work with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), service providers and people with disability, their families and carers to ensure that disability supports and services continue during the NDIS transition.
- People who currently receive services funded by the Queensland Government, and who may not be eligible for the NDIS, will continue to be supported by the Queensland Government. These arrangements are being discussed between the Queensland and Commonwealth Governments.
QUEENSLAND HEALTH MEDICAL AIDS SUBSIDY SCHEME (MASS)
It is important to note that there is a requirement for people with disability to register as soon as possible with the NDIS as responsibility will transfer from the Queensland Government to the NDIS following the transition period, highlighted in the first dot point. The information summarised below is to provide awareness of the designated transition timeframes and encourage a smooth transition to the NDIS. Eligibility, for people with a disability aged under 65 years, to MASS services is aligned with these advertised transition periods relevant to each local government area.
If MASS clients have not been successful in obtaining an NDIS plan by the end of the transition period for their local government area MASS will review these on a case by case basis. MASS may require additional information to assist with the review.
QUEENSLAND ROLLOUT SCHEDULE
* Queensland’s transition is occurring on a geographic basis, defined by Local Government Area (LGA) boundaries, as follows:
https://www.communities.qld.gov.au/swe/ndis-rollout-queensland
*Rollout end date refers to the time by which responsibility for providing disability services, including funding, will move from the Queensland Government to the NDIS. It is therefore important that existing users of Queensland Government disability services move to the NDIS before the end of the transition period in their area. From this time people with disability will access their supports through the NDIS. The NDIS transition has been completed for areas highlighted in green with responsibility transferring to NDIS. Please find below a link to the Queensland Government Department of Communities, Disability Services and Seniors website where you can check the NDIS transition for your local government area summarised above: https://www.communities.qld.gov.au/swe/ndis-rollout-queensland
This information is correct at time of publication but may change in future. For updates, please visit the above website.
Please find a copy of the original document here: Medical Aids Subsidy Scheme Qld Govt