Everything you need to know about SIL funding

Supported Independent Living (SIL) NDIS funding plays a crucial role in empowering individuals with disabilities to live independently with the assistance they need to thrive. As an NDIS provider, it’s important to understand how SIL works and support participants to secure essential funding. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything NDIS providers need to know about SIL funding, from eligibility and funding levels to the range of services it covers.

What is SIL funding?

NDIS SIL funding is a key component of Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), aimed at providing necessary supports for individuals with disabilities who require assistance with daily living tasks. SIL funding enables participants to live independently in shared living arrangements by covering the necessary support costs. 

How does SIL funding work?

SIL funding eligibility

SIL funding eligibility is determined through a thorough assessment conducted by the NDIS. This assessment evaluates the participant’s specific disability-related needs and their ability to live independently without assistance. It considers the impact of their disabilities on daily activities like personal care and household management. Assessors gather comprehensive information from medical reports, assessments and participant input to tailor supports. The SIL funding eligibility process ensures that participants who qualify receive tailored supports that address their unique circumstances.

SIL funding levels

SIL funding is categorised into different levels to accommodate varying degrees of support needs:

• Low needs: Provides minimal oversight and occasional support.
• Standard needs: Offers moderate support for daily living activities.
• High needs: Includes extensive, 24/7 support and specialised care.

These SIL funding levels are determined based on the participant’s assessed requirements for support. The SIL roster of care plays a crucial role here, outlining the specific support tasks and the frequency of assistance required for each participant. NDIS providers collaborate with participants and their representatives to complete the roster of care, which the NDIA then uses to help determine the appropriate funding levels for participants.

SIL funding decision notifications

Participants will be notified in writing of their SIL funding decision. The NDIA will also communicate the participant’s funding decision to the SIL provider listed in the participant’s roster of care and the participant’s support coordinator. This email details the annual funding value for irregular and regular SIL supports, the total funding value and estimated weekly SIL support values. Providers should ensure their contact information is up-to-date via the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission website or Provider Digital Access (PRODA).

SIL funding review process

Under the NDIA Act, providers cannot request a review of SIL funding for participant plans. Participants can request an internal review within three months if they disagree with the decision. The NDIA will automatically adjust SIL funding to reflect any material changes, such as indexation changes. SIL funding decisions may also be reviewed outside a plan reassessment if errors occur or to ensure supports remain reasonable and necessary.

What does SIL funding cover?

As NDIS providers, it’s crucial to understand that SIL funding typically covers:

1. Personal care: Assistance with daily personal hygiene tasks such as bathing, dressing and grooming.
2. Household tasks: Help with household chores including cooking, cleaning and laundry.
3. Meal preparation: Support in planning and preparing meals according to dietary needs and preferences.
4. Community access: Support to participate in community activities, social events and appointments.
5. Monitoring and supervision: Oversight and assistance as needed to ensure safety and well-being.
6. Specialised care: Additional supports tailored to specific disabilities or medical conditions as outlined in the participant’s plan.

All participants receiving SIL are also funded for a support coordinator, who helps implement the participant’s plan and discusses the supports to be delivered within the plan funding with providers.

What is not included in SIL funding? 

Certain services and costs aren’t included under SIL funding. These typically include:

1. Accommodation costs: SIL funding does not cover rent, mortgage payments, or other housing-related expenses. 
2. Utilities and household bills: Expenses for utilities such as electricity, gas, water, and internet are not covered by SIL funding.
3. Food and groceries: The cost of purchasing food and groceries is not included in SIL funding. 
4. Transport costs: While SIL funding covers support with community access, it does not cover the actual cost of transportation, such as public transport fares, fuel, or vehicle maintenance.
5. Medical and health-related costs: SIL funding does not include costs for medical treatments, medications or health-related services that are not part of daily living supports.
6. Personal items: Costs for personal items like clothing, toiletries and recreational activities are not covered by SIL funding.
7. Assistive technology: Funding for specialised equipment or assistive technology must be obtained through other NDIS funding categories.
8. Educational and employment supports: SIL funding does not cover supports related to education or employment. These are funded through other specific NDIS supports.

Understanding these exclusions helps NDIS providers guide participants in planning their budgets and seeking appropriate funding for all their needs beyond what SIL funding covers.

Overcoming SIL funding challenges with MYP’s NDIS software solution

Here are some of the key challenges SIL providers face and how MYP’s NDIS software can help solve these challenges:

1. Funding adequacy: Ensuring the allocated funding is sufficient to cover the participant’s support needs can be challenging. Providers often find that the approved funding does not fully align with the proposed roster of care, leading to financial strain. MYP’s software provides real-time access to participant budgets and data, allowing providers to better plan and manage resources, ensuring funding adequacy and preventing overspending.
2. Compliance and documentation: Maintaining compliance with NDIS requirements, including service bookings, payment requests and the NDIS Code of Conduct, can be demanding. Providers must keep meticulous records and ensure all documentation is up-to-date and accurately reflects the supports provided. MYP’s software simplifies this by integrating rostering processes, enabling easy recording of case notes, incidents and shift outcomes. 
3. Frequent reviews and adjustments: SIL funding is subject to periodic reviews and adjustments based on changes in participant needs or NDIA policies. Regularly monitor the participant’s support needs and any changes in their circumstances. Update the rosters of care as needed and communicate these changes to the NDIA to ensure the funding remains adequate and reflective of the participant’s needs. MYP’s software facilitates this with automated system-generated notifications.
4. Coordination with support coordinators: Effective collaboration with support coordinators is essential. Coordinators play a crucial role in implementing the participant’s plan and ensuring the supports delivered align with the funding. MYP’s software supports this collaboration by securely storing all participant data and key activities in one place, making it easy for support coordinators and providers to access and share relevant information.
5. Flexibility in service delivery: A participant’s SIL funding is not linked to a specific provider, which means participants can switch providers without affecting their funding. While this flexibility benefits participants, it creates a competitive environment for providers who must continuously strive to offer superior services. MYP’s software helps providers stay competitive by streamlining administrative tasks and improving service delivery efficiency, allowing them to focus more on providing high-quality care.
6. Changes in participant circumstances: Providers must be responsive to changes in participant circumstances that might necessitate adjustments in SIL funding. This includes significant life events, changes in health status or shifts in support needs. MYP’s software allows for easy updates to care plans and rosters, ensuring that changes are quickly reflected and communicated to all relevant parties.
7. Provider engagement with the NDIA: Maintaining an open line of communication with the NDIA for updates and guidance is crucial. Providers need to be proactive in seeking information and ensuring they are aware of any changes in policies or procedures that could impact funding and service delivery. MYP’s software supports this by providing robust reporting tools and analytics, helping providers stay informed and make data-driven decisions.

SIL funding enhances participants’ quality of life by ensuring they have the necessary assistance to manage daily activities and participate actively in their communities. At MYP, we know the importance of SIL funding are dedicated to supporting you to support others. If you’re ready to streamline your SIL processes with software, contact MYP or book a demo today.