DISABILITY FUNDING SCHEMES

What is it?
The NDIS takes a flexible, whole-of-life approach to work with participants, their families and carers, and to develop individualised plans. The NDIS works to connect participants with community and mainstream supports. The NDIS also funds any additional ‘reasonable and necessary’ supports to help participants pursue their goals and aspirations, and participate in daily life.

Are you eligible?
There’s an eligibility checklist on NDIS website, it asks you questions such as age, residency status and details about your disability.

www.ndis.gov.au/applying-access-ndis/am-i-eligible

How do you apply?
Firstly see if you are eligible, then use the NDIS website to find your local partner in the community to book a meeting with.

Together, you will fill in an access request form which will include providing evidence of your disability and submit this to the NDIS.

For more information please visit:

www.ndis.gov.au/

What is it?
The MAC funding scheme is designed to support older people to meet their individual needs either in their own home or an aged care home. MAC offers three (3) main levels of support through subsidised aged care services:

1. Basic help at home to assist with a few activities through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme,

2. More complex help at home through a Home Care Package, or

3. Care in an aged care home where individual’s can access help 24 hours a day.

Are you eligible?
Australian citizens and permanent residents over the age of 65 years, or 50 years for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people, can apply for an assessment of their care needs. An online eligibility checker is available to help you determine if you may be able to access subsidised aged care.

myagedcare.gov.au/eligibility-checker

How do you apply?
Firstly, see if you are eligible, then apply by calling 1800 200 422, visit a Services Australia service centre to apply in person, or apply online at:

myagedcare.gov.au/apply-online.

COMMUNITY GRANTS

NEUROMUSCULAR WA EMPOWER FUND

What is it?
The Empower Fund allows individuals to apply for financial support to help you live your life to its fullest. There are two grants you can apply for from the Empower Fund, both capped at $2500. The Fund opens for two grant rounds each year.

Empower Grants are non-means tested grants to fund an item, service or experience that allows you to enjoy life experiences you might not otherwise have been able to.

Empower Hardship Grants are available for people experiencing genuine financial hardship to access essential items or services, and are available at any time throughout the year.

Who is eligible and how to apply?
To apply, you must be a member of Neuromuscular WA (membership is free) and be a person living with a neuromuscular condition.

To apply, fill out the online form available on Neuromuscular WA’s website, and read the full eligibility criteria and guidelines for applicants before submitting.

For more information or to apply visit the Neuromuscular WA website: neuromuscularwa.org.au/empower-fund

YOUNGCARE

What is it?
Youngcare provide two grants for equipment, home modifications and emergency respite care.

Who is eligible and how to apply?
Youngcare’s At Home Care Grants 

This grant is for individuals aged between 18-65 with high care needs who are living at home who require funding for equipment, home modifications and essential support/ respite that is unable to be funded through other means such as NDIS.

Grants are one-off funding up to the value of $10 000.

Youngcare’s Home Support Grant 

This grant is for individuals aged between 18-65 who have a permanent disability and need urgent funding to either remain living at home, move back home or make their current house more accessible.

Grants can be up to $20 000 and funding must be unobtainable through other means such as NDIS.

For more information and to apply please visit their website or call 1800 844 727

youngcare.com.au/what-we-do/grants/home-support-grant/

REBOUND WA

What is it?
Rebound WA offer two grants; the Sir George Bedbrook Grant (over 18’s) and the Frank Ponta Grant (under 18’s). Both grants are aimed to encourage participation in social, recreation and sporting activities.

Who is eligible and how to apply?
This grant is for people with physical disabilities who demonstrate a need for financial assistance. The funding is intended to assist in living a full and active life.

An application form is available on the Rebound WA website, to be emailed to the Programs Coordinator when complete.

For more information and to apply please visit their website.

reboundwa.com/services/our-grants/

VARIETY WA

What is it?
Variety WA is a children’s charity that provides financial aid to children, their families and schools to obtain equipment such as wheelchairs, other specialist equipment and medical supplies.

Are you eligible?
You are eligible if you would not otherwise be able to afford this equipment and when there is no government assistance available.

Assistance is available for Western Australian children aged up to 18 and are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs.

Assistance is also available to schools, community groups or other organisations that provide aid to children in need.

How do you apply?
You must demonstrate a genuine financial need for assistance and provide evidence and information on how the assistance will help you meet this need.

You will need supporting letters from professionals such as Specialists, Therapists, Teachers and Local Coordinators, as well as quotes for the requested equipment or medical supplies.

Application forms for individual and organisation grants are available on the website, with a range of small grant for practical equipment to large grant amounts for mobility and health expenses available.

Apply or view more information on grants at www.variety.org.au or call (08) 9355 3655.

DYLAN ALCOTT FOUNDATION

What is it?
The Dylan Alcott Foundation is committed to helping young Australians living with disability overcome the barriers of entry to sport and education by providing grants, scholarships and mentoring.

A Dylan Alcott Foundation Grant can be for a personal, professional, vocational or sporting goal an individual needs assistance in achieving.

Who is eligible and how to apply?
You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident aged 26 or under, living with a disability to apply for a grant.

Applications can be made online through a short form on the foundation’s website: dylanalcottfoundation.com.au/grant-application

WA CHARITY DIRECT

What is it?
This charitable group focuses on supporting people in Western Australia who have a specific need and do not have the financial capacity to help themselves. Funding for an individual is currently capped at $2500.

Who is eligible and how to apply?
To be eligible, the application must be deemed of a necessitous circumstance and can only be provided to people who are permanent residents of WA.

The application form can be downloaded from the WA Charity Direct website and returned completed with supporting evidence to info@wacharitydirect.com.au or via mail.

For more information visit their website: wacharitydirect.com.au/individual/

MAKE-A-WISH AUSTRALIA

What is it?
Make-A-Wish grants critically ill children a wish of their choice that will have a positive and long-lasting impact, with an opportunity they wouldn’t otherwise have.

Who is eligible and how to apply?
Any child between 3 and 18 years old living in Australia experiencing a life-threatening illness or medical condition is eligible to apply for a grant. If you have already received a wish from any wish-granting organisation in Australia or overseas, you will be ineligible to apply for Make-A-Wish Australia.

To apply complete the online form available on their website here: makeawish.org.au

If you have any questions contact the Make-A-Wish team by calling 1800 032 260 or email wishes@makeawish.org.au.

STEVE WAUGH FOUNDATION

What is it?
This grant program is intended to support those who are ineligible to get support from other sources. Grants can go towards government approved medicine; treatment; equipment, and ; at times, minor house renovations or items that improve people’s quality of life.

Who is eligible and how to apply?
To be eligible, the applicant must be under the age of 25 years old, living with a rare disease. You must be an Australian citizen or resident for at least 5 years prior to applying.

The request for funding must have already been rejected by another organisation.

For more information, or to apply, visit their website: stevewaughfoundation.com.au