Are you a participant of NDIS and want to know if you will get support for your holiday accommodation or not? People may have different opinions, but nobody can deny the fact that the NDIS programme has been making the lives of disabled individuals easier and more enjoyable in Australia.

However, if you are a disabled NDIS participant and are going on vacation, then you might think about getting funding for your holidays. Although there is much confusion about it, here is the complete guide to answer all your questions related to NDIS holiday accommodation.

Does NDIS Provide Funds For Holiday Accommodation?

Did you know that 4.1 per cent of Australians had to experience a limitation in their core activities, including mobility? The NDIS funds for the support of disabled people who cannot afford to travel and move out of their homes. The NDIS usually doesn’t support any holiday or vacation accommodation. But it doesn't mean that you will not get funding at all. The good news is you can get funds for the NDIS support that is relevant to your disability on your holiday.

You can get funding on vacations for only necessary support that aligns with your goals. Generally, NDIS doesn’t pay for expenses like meals, entertainment, accommodation, or other things that don’t meet the reasonable and necessary criteria.

How is STA Different From NDIS Holiday Accommodation?

STA, or Short-Term Accommodation, offers temporary accommodation to NDIS participants who need help with daily tasks outside their homes. This support from NDIS enables the participants to enjoy different environments, giving them a break to explore and participate in the community while still getting basic services and support.

After knowing about STA, you may be confused about the difference between STA and holiday accommodation. NDIS only funds reasonable and necessary support, which doesn’t include the cost of food, accommodation, and other things, while short-term accommodation funds are used for all these activities.

What Does NDIS Cover?

NDIS disability accommodation funds for the following factors:

• Support Worker
  When you are on vacation and out of home, you may need a caretaker or a support worker to help you with your activities. Although the caretaker may not serve you continuously, as they are away from their home for longer, they will ask you for some charges. If the assistance they provide you meets your specific needs, NDIS will pay for it.
• Equipment Required
  If you require any necessary equipment like a wheelchair or walker, and you will get it on rent, then NDIS will cover its cost. But before you go for it, make sure to discuss it with your local area coordinator or NDIS service provider.
• Transportation Expenses
  The NDIS travel and accommodation support allows you to get paid for the transportation if the costs are higher. This means if, due to disability, you can not travel easily and need to rent a travel vehicle, and the charges are quite high, NDIS will pay for it.

Can You Get NDIS Funding Overseas On Holidays?

Funding for NDIS holiday accommodation will remain the same as you receive it in your home. There is no set budget for this, and it depends on how long you stay out on vacation. That means if you qualify for the NDIS funding, you can only get paid for it for the first six weeks. After this period, you have to pay for all the expenses personally.

However, you can request for extension of six weeks by contacting NDIS and discussing your plans with them. You have to tell them the reason for your travelling and staying away for longer, but still, it will not guarantee that you will get NDIS funding for an extended period.

Can We Consider Holiday Rentals as NDIS STA?

Short-term accommodation and NDIS holiday accommodation respite are not for vacations. Still, they support those disabled who want to participate out of home with their family and need a break from their regular life. This shows that NDIS doesn’t pay for rentals during accommodation; however, it funds expenses related to your personal needs during your holidays.

Can You Use NDIS Travel Allowance For Vacations?

The answer is no. Reason? NDIS travel funds are for everyday travelling needs, and this doesn't include your vacation-related expenses. Even so, your support worker can ask for the NDIS funding for:

• The time they spent with the NDIS participant to assist in the activities.
• Non-labour travelling expenses like road tolls, parking fees, etc.

These conditions have limitations, too, and it doesn’t involve paying for plane tickets or their accommodation while travelling.

Tips For An Enjoyable Holiday Experience

If you're a participant in NDIS and want to go on holiday, you must follow some tips to manage your NDIS goals and the vacation cost. Here are some important tips to think about before you decide your holidays.

• Keep The Currency Difference In Mind
  When you travel overseas, whatever you do, you have to pay for it. The place you go may have different currencies, so make sure to use your credit card to pay the bills so that the exchange rate and the actual cost are accurately captured.
• Discuss with Your Support Worker Ahead
  Before you go out with your caretaker on holiday, ask them about how much they can assist you there. It's recommended that an agreement be reached between both to avoid any additional costs or confusion later.
• Travel With Affordable Traveling Groups
  If you are comfortable, you can travel with a group of people, which will not only be less costly but also be fun. It will share the cost of support workers with other fellows, and you may enjoy the special offerings these travelling groups provide.
• Have Travel Insurance
  If it's feasible for you, you should get travel insurance. Although NDIS holiday accommodation will not pay for it, it will cover any unexpected situations on your vacation. These conditions involve travel delays, losing your valuables or any emergency health care.

Are You Ready To Enjoy Your Holiday?

Being a disabled person doesn’t mean that you can’t explore the world and enjoy staying out with your dear ones. To help you with this, NDIS only pays you for the support that meets your basic requirements outside your home.

If you need NDIS holiday accommodation in Victoria, you can contact Jovial Healthcare. We are serving disabled people for their various needs regarding the NDIS programme to give them the life they cherish.

Do you want to learn more about our comprehensive services, contact us now.