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State, the DHHS has progressively withdrawn funds for the AT needs of people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:
SWEP are relying on practitioners to:
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.