What is Respite or Short Term Accommodation (STA) in the NDIS?
Short Term Accommodation, including Respite, is support provided by the NDIS for when an individual needs to live out of home for a short period.
Short Term Accommodation funding can be used for respite to:
- support an individual
- give their carers a short break from their caring role
You can use specific STA/Respite funding in your NDIS plan for this support (if you have it). You can also use the funding in your Core budget (if you have enough).
What kind of support does STA/Respite include?
Short Term Accommodation includes:
- personal care and supports received
- accommodation
- food
- recreational activities you and the provider agree to
Short Term Accommodation may also suit your needs if your usual support network isn’t available for a short period (e.g work commitments, illness or holidays) or if they need a break.
This is all person-centred and related to each individual's support needs.
Why ask for STA/Respite in your NDIS plan?
Sometimes a short stay away from home:
- gives individuals the chance to try new things
- can be a place to make new friends, build capacity or develop new skills
- may help to maintain their current living situation by giving their informal supports (parents/carers) a break.
Short Term Accommodation may also suit their needs if their usual support network isn’t available for a short period.
Most importantly, giving carers a break will help them better manage and improve their own health and well-being and prevent burn out.
How do I get Short Term Accommodation/Respite funding in my NDIS plan?
If you’d like funding for Respite care included in your plan, you will need to request it in your planning or plan review meeting.
The NDIS provides STA/Respite funding where you can show
- the need for ST/Respite is related to your disability
- it helps you pursue your goals (specifically those of building skills and increasing independence)
- it helps you to participate in the community
- it’s value for money
You should thus explain how much support you need and how your informal support network or carers help to deliver that support day-to-day. Try to highlight the effect this has on both of you, and how STA would help both parties.
Example of goals to include in your NDIS plan:
"I would like Respite funding because I would like {insert goals 1,2 or 3}."
- Goal 1 - To be more independent with my daily living activities and access the community
- Goal 2 - To work towards being independent and being able to travel
- Goal 3 - To build my capacity to manage daily activities
- Goal 4 - To build my social skills by meeting new people
You should provide a letter from your carer/s, explaining their role and why respite care would help give them a break to avoid burn-out, can also be very useful.
How do I find Respite?
The MyCareSpace Connection Team can help give you options to choose from. Ask them today!
How much NDIS funding can I get for Respite?
The amount of funding you can receive depends on the level of support you require. Generally, the more support your informal network or carer provides, the more breaks they may need throughout the year and the more funding for STA you’ll receive.
Usually, the NDIS will fund up to 28 days of Short-Term Accommodation or Respite per year. This funding can be used flexibly throughout the year. For example, you might want to use it in a block timeframe at a time or for one weekend a month.
More information: NDIS Respite and STA
Use our NDIS Price Search Tool to see how much funding you could have for STA/Respite - simply using a keyword of "respite":
What is the difference between STA/ Respite, Medium Term Accommodation (MTA) and Supported Independent Living (SIL)?
- Short Term accommodation or Respite is can be used as a block period of 28 days or can be used flexibly throughout the year. E.g in 2 sessions of 2 weeks or any variation of that.
- Medium-term Accommodation is funded as an interim accommodation option. NDIS will fund up to 90 days of medium-term accommodation at a time. For example, when your home is being modified or you have been discharged from hospital and are yet to find suitable permanent accommodation.
- Supported Independent Living helps an individual live as independently as possible to continue to build their own capacity. It can be provided in the home or in specialised accommodation. Supported Independent Living refers to the support provided to the participants and does not include the bricks and mortar (housing).
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