The Individualised Living Option (ILO) is one of the numerous support services provided by NDIS that provides you with a preferred home setting that best suits your requirements. It is an annual arrangement funded by NDIS that may assist individuals with disabilities in achieving their goals for their residences.
Individualised Living Option was created exclusively considering the individualised needs of the NDIS participants. NDIS offers ILO services that enable you to live in the house and avail a combination of home-based supports.
You don’t need to worry about adjusting to someone you haven’t selected or fitting into your living arrangements. You may reside independently, in a host’s house, or with roommates as per your choice. You can enjoy this flexible mode of living while receiving all necessary support services that you can routinely modify as per your needs.
What Individualised Living Options Are Available to You?
There are several options available to you when it comes to organizing your own living arrangements, and you can determine what works best for you. However, this can vary over time according to your changing needs. You can choose from three options, as given below.
- Living alone in a home with customised supports from NDIS as required
- Living with a friend or housemate with mutual arrangements and support services provided by NDIS
- Living with a host (a non-related person) who offers you disability-related household assistance along with emotional support will give you an experience of a family atmosphere.
How is the Individualised Living Option Funded by NDIS?
Individualised Living Option (ILO) is created by working together with the disabled person and making use of specialised and creative combinations of support, including arrangements for both paid and unpaid services.
ILO involves a combination of supports for your convenience that effectively meet your requirements and objectives as an NDIS participant. It can combine a variety of informal and formal networks, including friends, relatives, and other acquaintances. You will be eligible to find specific assistance that we acknowledge in your NDIS plan.
A dedicated budget is allotted for your ILO services for monitoring and modifying your supports, as your needs might change during your NDIS plan. This enables you to spend your funds flexibly and receive help in resigning your ILO support as your NDIS plan progresses.
Different Stages of ILO
Two phases are involved in adding individualised living option supports to your plan, as mentioned below.
Phase 1:
This is the first step, where you will analyze and decide on the individualised living choices you require and desire. The first step will focus on clarifying your selection, like whom you prefer to live with, where you want to live, and what kind of support you will need. A completed service proposal form will be presented after this phase.
Phase 2:
The second stage involves designing and implementing the assistance systems you will receive through the ILO. The support services will be created depending on your preferred lifestyle, where you wish to live, and the services you request. Don’t worry; in case of need, you can alter the supports provided by your customised living option. NDIS will develop a suitable plan to ensure the stability, adaptability, and safety you want through the ILO services.
While you don’t need to utilize the same provider for Phase 1 and Phase 2 of your ILO plan, we highly recommend that the provider you select for Phase 2 should be involved in preparing the service proposal form.
What Supports are Included in Individualised Living Option?
As you prepare for the ILO service, you need to know what kind of support you can expect with the individualised living options. Here is a list of the support that you are going to receive:
- Providing the necessary guidance in making decisions regarding your living place and the resources you need
- Individualised attention and care
- Assistance in setting up and managing your house
- Necessary support toward achieving independence
- Help to build up and maintain relationships with people
- Assistance in decision-making on daily affairs
- Emotional support to express or manage your feelings and actions
- Facilitate informal aid, such as regular caregivers or neighbors.
- Arrange training for people who provide you with assistance frequently
Supports Not Included in ILO
You must also be aware that the ILO service does not cover certain support options. Let’s have a look at those services for which you are not getting support from any NDIS funds:
- An arrangement where you don’t have the option to choose who you live with
- Your mortgage or rent payments for your properties
- Your regular expenses include food, power, internet service, etc.
- NDIS will not fund payments for informal services as they do not satisfy the NDIS financing requirements.
- The supported independent living (SIL) option chosen by the participant
- Specialised accommodations are required for specific disabled people
- Funding for modifications in the home where you presently live
- Support is required outside your home, such as attending work or school or participating in community events. These services will be part of your separate plan if required.
- Funding for developing a behavior assistance plan as a specialised requirement.
- You cannot use your ILO funds to cover rent, mortgage, or other household obligations.
How do you select an ideal provider for ILO?
ILO providers play a crucial role in ensuring you receive the best support, starting from configuring your ILO arrangement. While searching for a suitable provider, you need to consider the following parameters:
- The provider must be able to listen to and discuss with you to recognize your needs.
- They must assist you in deciding what kind of house and support systems you require.
- The provider should be flexible and have a mindset of exploring different options for your home to decide on the best one.
- They should be able to identify your specific needs and arrange resources that are ideal for you rather than recommending an existing service that might not be appropriate.
- If you face any issues with your ILO arrangement, the provider must collaborate to address and resolve them.
Process for Getting ILO Support Under NDIS
- Discuss your house and living options with your service provider.
- The provider will gather the relevant information from you to get a clearer view of your goal of exploring suitable living options.
- You may be required to fill out the Supporting Evidence Form, mentioning your home and living options requirements.
- Based on the information you submitted, the NDIA will review your request to modify the plan.
- If your request satisfies the NDIS funding requirements, an ILO package will be created for you after calculating the necessary funding options.
- Throughout your plan’s assessment and redesign process, you will be updated on the progress until the ILO service is authorised and added to your plan.
- To manage the phase of exploration and design of your ILO plan, you can appoint the agency or plan manager or look after it personally.
Eligibility Criteria for ILO Services
There are no specific requirements for qualifying under the NDIS to obtain an ILO. However, they do indicate that ILO is most appropriate for the following people:
- Persons with disabilities who are at least eighteen years old.
- You can begin the ILO process if you are 17 years old and then make plans to proceed when you reach 18.
- Those who require support at home for at least six hours a day.
- Individuals considering possibilities for independent living and looking for home and living needs based on their preferences.
- People who are prepared to establish their future living situation.
- People have access to informal support from family and friends as per NDIS support requirements for ILO.
Types of Arrangements Found in Individualised Living Options
The great thing about an ILO is that you can be flexible in selecting the support that best suits your needs. We provide a few of the resources individuals utilize to structure their Individualised Living Options.
Housemates
You can share your home with someone who can offer a certain level of support, and you pay remuneration for the assistance given.
Hosts
You choose to stay at the house of an individual unrelated to you. The Host offers domestic help, disability-related support, and a family-like atmosphere in exchange for a mutually agreed-on payment.
On-call Arrangements
This arrangement refers to a situation when someone is to be approached on call for immediate help or problem-solving, whether they receive any payments.
Circle of Supports
A circle of support is a group of individuals familiar with you and can jointly support you in achieving your objectives and maintaining your well-being.
How Effective is the ILO for You?
If you plan to move into a house of your own in a few years, now is the ideal time to start looking into ILO to reach your objectives. Don’t wait until there’s an urgent need for accommodation.
If it is observed that your core support budget does not meet your support needs at home, the NDIS may provide you with the option of an ILO. Experts advise that you should consider an ILO to avail more adaptable and innovative services that could be more economical and convenient.
Conclusion
The implementation of the Individualised Living Option (ILO) under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is an innovative and individualised concept that provides flexible living arrangements for people needing disability support. ILO enables people to customize their living spaces to suit their needs and preferences. Along with fostering independence, the ILO approach promotes dignity, social inclusion, and a sense of belonging.
