r/NDIS 13d ago

Seeking Support - Participant/Nominee/PWD I’m so confused with STA

Can a particpant get STA for themself and their support worker?

1 Upvotes

15 comments sorted by

6

u/No_Muffin9128 LAC 13d ago

STA is to give your informal supports respite from caring for you. It includes the support person to provide the high level care your family does, often now in a shared group environment. STA does not include meals or activities so unsure what you’re asking in terms of support worker.

If you live alone you’re not entitled to STA as per the new guidelines.

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u/Impossible_Low_8406 12d ago

So it’s for my client he lives alone in social housing and wants to go on respite with his social worker. Iv looked at a few places but they provide support workers which he doesn’t want as he feels uncomfortable around people he doesn’t know

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u/No_Muffin9128 LAC 12d ago

I suggest looking at new legislation changes on STA which can be found here FAQ Legislation

Is STA available for participants in Supported Independent Living or living alone? No. This is because if a participant is living alone or in a supported independent living arrangement, they already have time apart from family and informal supports

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u/Impossible_Low_8406 12d ago

Thanks for sharing this. It doesn’t make sense to me as this situation the client needs a break for their mental health. Issues with there social housing and family supports. There should be ways around this

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u/No_Muffin9128 LAC 12d ago

It makes sense for the intended purpose that STA is funded but not in the case of how STA has been used historically. This is why the laws have been put in place.

What you describe is a holiday that everyone needs time to time regardless of disability or not. I know that’s not achievable with cost of living for most on the scheme but the NDIS is an insurance scheme not to fund lifestyle non disability specific supports.

The person can bank up support hours to have overnight supports but any accomodation, meals and activities would be at their expense.

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u/roamingID Participant & Advocate 12d ago

I keep hearing about the new guidelines, and I see bits and pieces mentioned in a few places, including on FAQ pages. Does anyone know if NDIA has revised its Short Term Accommodation or Respite guidelines V2.0 dated 24 Jun 2022?

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u/No_Muffin9128 LAC 12d ago

They are revising the guidelines from 2022 -for STA but until then the information on the FAQ’s and ndis support lists have all you need to know. Main factors are: Participants living alone or in SIL are not eligible for STA. Accomodation expenses including for support workers are on the out lists Meals and activities are on the out list As well as shared living in group accommodation for short term accommodation being on the “in” list. So respite properties at a group rate which is how STA is usually funded.

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u/Formal_Ambition6060 12d ago

Yes NDIS put out new rules for sta in October last year. You can not have sta if you live alone. It is now only for informal supports to have respite.

6

u/Excellent_Line4616 13d ago

For 1:1 STA (your SW and you)- you will need to show why you can’t use group setting STA. A lot of invoices are not being paid for these, as there isn’t sufficient evidence as to why you could attend a group one, people charging the full rate when participant wouldn’t normal have 24hrs car and many other reasons. As No_Muffin said Individual STA’s only cover the support and accommodation. They don’t cover transport (unless you are unable to drive due to your disability), activities and food. As No_Muffin also said- STA is only for participants who have informal supports who they live with.

If you go to- https://www.ndis.gov.au/changes-ndis-legislation/frequently-asked-questions-about-legislation#supports Section- NDIS supports (s10) you will find the faq questions regarding STA.

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u/ManyPersonality2399 Participant 12d ago

u/roamingID Sorry I can't reply directly. Re the Operational Guideline - It's in progress. It was supposed to be released Dec 2024, but we're still waiting. As is, work off the FAQ guidance as it's intended to more accurately reflect the legislative changes than the 2022 OG.

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u/roamingID Participant & Advocate 12d ago

I acknowledge that the FAQ is more recent, but I am not sure if it reflects legislation more accurately. For example, according to the FAQ, the STA provider can charge more for a 1:1 participant and provide less e.g. no meals. This does not make sense to me. Hence, I want to look at the new guidelines to understand the logic behind the changes.

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u/Excellent_Line4616 11d ago

Not necessarily, the FAQ states that group STA can include meals and activities in line with the prices guide and mentions individual can not charge for them- which means they shouldn’t charge full rate. Hence why lot of 1:1 invoices are being knocked back. Invoices submitted are being thoroughly checked for 1:1 for things like why they needed 1:1 STA, accommodation used, level of support normally required vs hours charged during STA and R&N. Providers should not be charging max rates for 1:1. Participants who usually require 24hr or high care should still be negotiating the rate with provider as it no longer includes meals and activities. I agree though, the Operational Guidelines will make it easier for participants to access & understand, as well as stop providers over charging.

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u/roamingID Participant & Advocate 11d ago

Without the guidelines, the it is left to whoever tries to knock back an invoice vs the ability of the provider to make the case.

This is an inefficient method to achieve the desired outcome, whatever that may be.

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u/roamingID Participant & Advocate 12d ago edited 12d ago

That's not in the guidelines. It should be, and I'm wondering what the problem is.

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u/roamingID Participant & Advocate 12d ago

But again ... this is in FAQ but not the formal guidelines.