We’ll give you 90 days from the date of the letter to respond if you think you still meet the NDIS eligibility requirements. You can send us information and evidence you want us to consider when making the eligibility reassessment decision.
If you don’t respond within 90 days, we’ll make the decision based on the information and evidence we have.
What if you need more time to give us information and evidence?
If you need more time to provide information or evidence, contact us. We may be able to give you more time if your request is reasonable. You’ll need to tell us why you need more time, and how much time you need. For example, there could be a delay in getting information from an appropriately qualified person. If so, we could give you more time so you can get the information and send it to us.
Generally, we’ll only consider giving you one extension of time. This is because the first extension should give you reasonable opportunity to give us the evidence. If you need another extension, you’ll need to explain why you need more time again and how much extra time you need.
We’ll consider all relevant information and evidence provided against the eligibility requirements to decide if you’re still eligible.
Example
Pai is 6 years old. When she was 4 we decided she was eligible for the NDIS under the early intervention requirements for developmental delay. We developed a plan with Pai’s family with early intervention supports that are likely to benefit Pai. The early intervention supports Pai and her family receive are NDIS supports.
We have regular check-ins with Pai and her family. This helps us understand Pai’s progress and the outcomes Pai has achieved. When Pai turns 5, we talk to Pai’s parents about the eligibility requirements.
We remind them Pai’s eligibility will be reassessed once she turns 6. This is because Pai will no longer meet the eligibility requirements under developmental delay. To remain an NDIS participant after she turns 6, Pai will need to have an impairment that’s likely to be permanent. Pai will need to meet the requirements for disability, early intervention, or both.
Because Pai is now 6 we start an eligibility reassessment.
We send Pai’s parents a letter. The letter explains that based on the evidence we have, Pai may no longer meet the eligibility requirements. If Pai’s family think Pai continues to meet the requirements, they need to provide us with evidence.
The evidence needs to show that Pai meets the requirements for disability, early intervention, or both. Pai’s parents are asked to respond within 90 days from the date of the letter.
The next day, Pai’s parents call her paediatrician to book an appointment. The earliest time they can book an appointment and send us the evidence is 4 months away. Pai’s family send us the booking confirmation for Pai’s paediatrician appointment and ask for more time.
We think about Pai’s current situation. We decide it’s reasonable to give Pai’s family additional time to provide more evidence.
Pai’s parents provide the evidence in 4 months. We review the evidence. We now have enough evidence to make the eligibility reassessment decision.
Example
Jo is 40 years old and lives with cognitive and physical impairments from stroke. We decided Jo was eligible for the NDIS under the early intervention requirements. Jo’s been getting NDIS supports for 14 months and we need to understand if those supports have helped Jo.
We start an eligibility reassessment.
We send Jo a letter. The letter explains that based on the information we have, they may no longer meet the eligibility requirements. If Jo thinks they continue to meet the eligibility requirements, they can provide us with new information and evidence. The information and evidence needs to support our decision on whether Jo meets the requirements for disability, early intervention, or both.
Jo has 90 days from the date of the letter to provide us with the information.
We may be able to give Jo more time if their request is reasonable. If Jo needs more time, they can contact us to explain why it’s reasonable not to provide the information within 90 days.
Jo provides a neurology report within the 90 days. The report explains that while Jo has benefited from early intervention, they continue to have substantially reduced functional capacity and will require NDIS supports for their lifetime.
We use this report to decide Jo is now eligible for the NDIS under the disability requirements. We update Jo’s eligibility and help Jo build a new plan with NDIS supports for their current situation.