Access to VA&EP Funding for Consumers Under 65 Years of Age

Thank you to everyone who has sought feedback from the State-wide Equipment Program (SWEP) in recent months regarding funding for Assistive Technology (AT) items for consumer's who are under 65 years of age.

As a result of this feedback, SWEP has liaised with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to determine how we ensure that Victorian Government funds are only used to support eligible consumers. It is important to understand that consumers who can access funding for AT from other government programs such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) are not eligible to access support for AT from the Victorian Aids and Equipment Program (VA&EP). In addition, consumers who can access funding from their private health insurer or from compensation, legal settlements or court awards for AT need to discuss their eligibility with SWEP.

As the NDIS has rolled out across the State, the DHHS has progressively withdrawn funds for the AT needs of people who will be eligible for AT supports from the NDIS.  This funding has been transferred to the NDIS. Consequently SWEP is not funded by DHHS to provide assistance to NDIS participants unless the need for the AT relates to a health condition as opposed to their disability.

To date SWEP have asked for written confirmation of NDIS ineligibility prior to accepting or funding applications from applicants aged under 65. This decision has been reviewed and SWEP can advise that while written evidence of NDIS ineligibility will no longer be a mandatory requirement, practitioners will be required to declare that based on the consumer's diagnosis they are not likely to meet NDIS eligibility. The revised Applicant Eligibility and Declaration Form will also require the applicant to declare they are not an NDIS participant and that if their circumstances that may impact their eligibility change, they are required to notify SWEP.  This revised form will shortly be uploaded to the SWEP website.

The NDIS has online information listing the diagnostic groups and conditions which meet NDIS access requirements. This can be accessed at:

https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/operational-guidelines/access-ndis-operational-guideline/list-conditions-which-are-likely-meet-disability-requirements-section-24-ndis-act

https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/operational-guidelines/access-ndis-operational-guideline/list-b-permanent-conditions-which-functional-capacity-are-variable-and-further-assessment-functional-capacity-generally-required

SWEP are relying on practitioners to:

• encourage, where applicable, consumers to apply to become an NDIS participant 
• assist the consumer to understand that if they choose not to become an NDIS participant they will not be able to access support from VA&EP

This will help us to continue to ensure that VA&EP funding is being provided to those consumers who are not able to receive AT support via other means. The SWEP Management Team thank everyone for their ongoing support.