Understanding NDIS ILO: Your Path to Personalised Living

When it comes to finding a living arrangement that truly aligns with your preferences and needs, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) offers a unique and empowering solution: Individualised Living Options (ILO). Designed to provide a flexible, person-centred approach to home and living supports.

In this comprehensive guide, we will unpack what ILO entails and how it can help you achieve a truly personalised living experience.

What Are Individualised Living Options?

Individualised Living Options are NDIS-funded supports that help people with disabilities live independently in their chosen home environment. Unlike traditional group homes or shared accommodations, ILO is centred around your preferences, strengths, and specific support requirements. Whether you wish to live alone, with family, or with friends, ILO ensures you receive the necessary assistance to make this a reality.

ILO caters to individuals aged 18 or over who require at least six hours of daily support, whether formal or informal, and are ready to invest time and effort in designing their ideal home setup. While the NDIS doesn’t fund the cost of a house itself, ILO focuses on supporting you in managing your home and accessing care services that suit your lifestyle.

ILO Vs. SIL

ILOs and SIL are both NDIS support models designed to help participants live more independently. However, they differ significantly in structure and flexibility.

Feature	ILO	SIL
Living Arrangements	Alone, with family/friends, or host	Group settings
Flexibility	High	Limited
Support Level	Tailored to individual needs	Structured, often 24/7
Best For	Participants seeking independence and control	Participants with high support needs

Participants cannot receive funding for both ILO and SIL simultaneously, so it’s crucial to choose the option that best aligns with your goals.

Key Benefits of Individualised Living Options

Choosing Individualised Living Options opens up a world of benefits that empower you to take charge of your living situation. Here are some key advantages:

1. Personal Choice and Control

One of the most empowering aspects of ILO is the freedom to design your living arrangements. You decide:

– Where you live.
– Who you share your home with (if anyone).
– The types of support you need.

2. Capacity Building

ILO encourages participants to build skills for independence, such as managing a home, making daily decisions, and engaging with their community.

3. Stable and Consistent Support

ILO ensures you receive tailored support services that adapt to your changing needs. Whether it’s personal care, capacity-building activities, or assistance with daily living tasks, ILO provides a foundation for long-term stability.

What Supports Does ILO Cover?

ILO funding covers a wide range of supports tailored to individual needs. These can include:

– Assistance in finding a suitable home.
– Help with setting up and managing your living space.
– Support with daily activities like cooking, shopping, and bill payments.
– Capacity-building programs to boost independence.
– Emotional and behavioural support.
– Training for informal supporters like family and friends.
– Regular check-ins from unpaid volunteers.

What ILO Does Not Cover

It’s important to understand what ILO funding will not cover:

– Rent or mortgage payments.
– Everyday household expenses (e.g., food, utilities).
– Activities outside the home, such as work or study.
– Home modifications or assistive technology.

By clearly defining these boundaries, the NDIS ensures that ILO funding is focused solely on enabling personalised living arrangements.

How Does ILO Work?

ILO is implemented in two distinct stages:

Stage 1: Exploration and Design

This stage focuses on exploring your vision for your future home and determining the supports required to achieve it. During this phase, you will:

– Identify your housing options and preferences.
– Determine who you want to live with and the types of support you need.
– Assess risks and establish safety measures.

Don’t worry, you’re not alone! You can get support from your family, friends, or professionals during this stage. At the end, you’ll receive a “Service Proposal,” detailing your living plan, support providers, and associated costs.

Stage 2: Implementation

Once the NDIS approves your plan, you can access funding to implement the supports outlined in your Service Proposal. These include two distinct types of support:

– Primary Supports: Personal care, cooking, cleaning, and other essential services.
– Supplementary Supports: Flexible assistance, such as drop-in support from volunteers or neighbours.

One advantage you’ll enjoy is that the NDIS also provides resources to monitor and adjust your supports as your needs evolve.

Understanding NDIS Funding for ILO

ILOs and the PACE System

For individuals on original/legacy NDIS plans, ILO funding is typically allocated within the “Core > Assistance with Daily Life” budget.

For individuals on the new Planning for Achieving and Continuing Engagement (PACE) plans, ILO funding falls under the “Core > Home and Living” category. Importantly, ILOs are now “stated supports,” meaning they must be explicitly included in your NDIS plan to receive funding.

Funding Levels

The funding you receive for Individualised Living Options depends on your needs and the complexity of your living arrangements. Here’s a breakdown of potential funding levels:

Stage 1 Funding:

– Up to 30 hours: If you have a clear understanding of your support needs, plan to live near your current residence, have identified suitable housing options, and can make independent decisions. This stage focuses on planning and decision-making.
– Up to 50 hours: If you require assistance in determining your support needs, plan to relocate, need help finding suitable housing, and require guidance on who to involve in the decision-making process.
– Up to 100 hours: If your situation is complex, involves relocation to a different area, requires input from multiple stakeholders, and may present challenges in finding affordable housing. This stage provides more extensive support for planning and decision-making.

Stage 2 Funding:

– Up to $105,000 per year: For living arrangements where you share a home with someone who offers companionship and light support. You can also get additional help from family, friends, or community members.
– Up to $150,000 per year: For situations where the person you live with provides companionship and more regular, hands-on support. Extra help from others is more structured.
– Up to $230,000 per year: For those needing significant assistance, including companionship, physical help, personal care, supervision with household tasks, and behavioural support. This level is often for people with physical disabilities or health-related support needs.

Is Individualised Living Options Right for You?

ILO may be the ideal choice if:

– You are exploring moving out of your family home for the first time.
– Your current home is unsuitable due to accessibility, safety, or affordability issues.
– You are leaving care or transitioning from a custodial setting.
– You want greater control over your living situation and are willing to invest time and effort into creating your ideal home environment.

How to Apply for ILO?

To start your journey with ILO, follow these steps:

– Speak with Your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or NDIS Planner
- * Discuss your home and living goals and explore whether ILO is the right option for you.
– Submit a Home and Living Supports Request
- * This formal request is the first step toward accessing ILO funding.
– Complete Stage 1 Activities
- * Work with your support coordinator, family, or friends to design a tailored living arrangement. The NDIS will assess your request and, if eligible, include ILO funding in your plan.
– Implement Your Plan
- *Once approved, use Stage 2 funding to bring your vision to life.

Your Ideal Living Solution Starts Here!

At Dayaram Care, we are passionate about empowering individuals to live their best lives through tailored support and compassionate care. As an NDIS-registered provider, we specialise in helping participants explore and implement ILO that reflect their unique preferences, needs, and aspirations.

Let us guide you on your journey to independence and a truly personalised living experience. Contact us today at Dayaram Care Services and take the first step toward a brighter, more independent future!