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Published by Disability Services Division Victorian Government Department of Human Services,
50 Lonsdale StreetMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
August 2011
© Copyright State of Victoria, Department of Human Services, 2011.
This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968.
ISBN 978-0-7311-6355-7
Also published on
Authorised and published by the Victorian Government, 50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Contents
Purpose of this guide
Who should use this guide?
How to use this guide
What is an ongoing disability support?
Section 1: Requirements for requesting ongoing disability support7How can I get help to find out if I meet the requirements for requesting ongoing disability support?
Other things I should know before submitting an application
Section 2: Person requiring ongoing disability support (the applicant)7
Section 3: Primary contact person (if other than the applicant)7
Section 4: Person completing this form8
Section 5: Understanding your request for support9
5.1What type of ongoing disability support are you asking for?
Section 6: Understanding your housing and living situation10
6.1Tick one box below to tell us where you currently live
6.2Who do you live with?
6.3Do you have a primary carer?
6.4Do you have a legal guardian?
6.5Please tell us about your (the applicant) living situation. Are your accommodation
and living arrangements going well?
6.6Are you currently looking for, or interested in, living in private rental or
public housing?
6.7Are you currently on a public housing waiting list?
6.8What type of household layout would you need and why?
Section 7: Understanding your disability support needs13
7.1Tell us about the areas related to your disability that you need assistance with.
Include the level, type and amount of support you need.
7.2How are other people assisting with your support needs? Include help from
your family and friends and any other support services.
7.3Do you already have funding from an Individual Support Package?
7.4If your disability was the result of an accident or injury, have you received,
or are you likely to receive, compensation?
Section 8: Understanding your decision making15
8.1What has changed in your situation or what has led you to now request disability support?
8.2What needs will be addressed with this support you are requesting?
8.3Describe each option you have considered to meet your support needs that
are currently not being met.
8.4Is there any other information, which is not mentioned already, that will help us to understand your need for ongoing disability support?
Section 9: Consent to register and share information17
Submitting your application for support18
Purpose of this guide
The Help Guide (the guide) has been developed to help you complete the application for ongoing disability supports. The guide provides information about who can apply, who can complete the application form, why the questions are being asked, how the information is used, and what information to include when answering the questions.
Who should use this guide?
It is for use by people with disabilities and their families who are seeking ongoing disability supports. Service providers who have supported individuals in the planning process may also assist by completing the application with the person, or on the person’s behalf.
More information about the DSR is available in information sheets on the Department of Human Services website.
For more information/ Information sheets can be found in the Disability Support Register section on the Disability Services website:
dhs.vic.gov.au/disability
How to use this guide
The DSR application is broken down into nine sections. Each section has a number of questions that need to be answered.
This guide follows the same format, with an explanation of each section and information to help you complete each question in that section.
You may not need to read the entire guide, but as you work through the application you may refer to sections you would like more information about in writing your application.
What is an ongoing disability support?
There are two types of ongoing disability support:
- Individual Support Package
- Supported Accommodation.
Individual Support Package is funding that you can use in a flexible way to meet your disability needs. The funding can only be used for support that is related to your disability, not something that any other member of the community would be expected to pay. The support must also be a cost-effective way to meet your needs. It cannot be used for illegal purposes or gambling.
Supported Accommodation is suited for adults with high support needs who can live in a group setting. If you are requesting Supported Accommodation you will need to provide detailed information about your daily support needs by completing an individual profile (This is AppendixB in the application form).
For more information/ More information is available in the Individual Support Package Handbook, and Disability Support Register Guidelines, which can be found on the Department of Human Services website:
Section 1: Requirements for requesting ongoing disability support
Before completing and submitting an application for ongoing disability support you must have:
- been confirmed as having a disability as defined in the Disability Act 2006 (see below)
- support needs that are related to your disability that are not being met, which:
–are ongoing (support you need for six months or more), and
–can only be met through Disability Services.
You can contact your local Intake and Response service on 1800 783 783, or a disability service provider, to confirm your disability meets the Act.
How can I get help to find out if I meet the requirements for requesting ongoing disability support?
You can contact a local disability service provider or Intake and Response on 1800 783 783.
Other things I should know before submitting an application
There may be supports available to you that you don’t know about. This is why we want to make sure you have explored all options to meet your needs before submitting a request for ongoing disability supports.
Supports become available when there is new funding or when someone currently receiving disability support no longer needs that support. Therefore it is not possible to specify when a support will become available.
The allocation of supports is based on need and does not relate to the length of time you have been on the DSR as it is not a waiting list.
Note: Applications for ongoing disability support through the DSR do not provide an immediate crisis response. If you are experiencing a crisis situation, it is important that you contact Intake and Response or a service provider who can assist you to look at your options for support during this time.
Section 2: Person requiring ongoing disability support (the applicant)
This section is asking you to provide general information about yourself. All people requesting support through Disability Services are assigned a client number, which is unique to that person. The information you provide will be used to create a file if you do not have one. It is also required for statistical reporting purposes.
Section 3: Primary contact person (if other than the applicant)
You can nominate a primary contact person to be the main contact for Disability Services about your need for support. This person will be noted on your file and contacted if the region requires further information about your application, to check the application is up to date, or to offer a support.
Section 4: Person completing this form
If someone, like your case manager, helps you to complete the application, the region may need to contact them for further information. They will also be advised of the outcome of the application. This section can be left blank if you (the applicant) or your primary contact person (in section 3) completed the form.
Help Guide: Application for ongoing disability support1
Section 5: Understanding your request for support/ This question confirms the type of ongoing disability support you are requesting.
You will need to complete additional information depending on the type of support you are asking for. This information needs to be submitted with the application.
5.1What type of ongoing disability support are you asking for? (Choose one box only)
If you are asking for an Individual Support Package you need to complete details and the cost of the support requested in Appendix A.
This is to make sure we know how much funding you require to meet your needs.
If you are asking for Supported Accommodation, you need to complete questions about your support needs in Appendix B.
You should provide very detailed information about your support requirements on this form to make sure we:
- know what type of Supported Accommodation you need
- understand how your support needs could be met in accommodation
- can match your needs to vacant accommodation.
Help Guide: Application for ongoing disability support1
Section 6: Understanding your (the applicant) housing and living situation/ This information helps regions with understanding your living arrangements and significant people in your life that support you. Disability Services also has to report to the Commonwealth on the living situation of people who access support. The information is not provided in a way that you cannot be identified. This information also assists in planning for future services.
6.1Tick one box below to tell us where you currently live
This question asks you to identify the type of accommodation you currently live in. Below is a description of each property type.
Property type / This property is described as:
Self/family-owned home / A private residence that you or your family have purchased, and may or may no longer be making payments for.
Private rental / A property you or your family are renting from another person to live at the dwelling.
Public housing / A property that is publicly owned, and which you or your family are renting. This includes living in accommodation (not transitional) owned by the Office of Housing.
Supported Residential Service / A facility that provides board or lodging for a number of people. These are generally private arrangements.
Supported Accommodation (Disability) / Group accommodation that is funded by Disability Services. It can also be called Shared Supported Accommodation (SSA), Community Residential Units (CRU), group homes and so forth.
Community Care Placement / A Child Protection Services placement, made under a court order, in a residential facility, which is supported by staff, or in an alternate family setting.
Hospital or rehabilitation facility / Medical care in institutions but excluding treatment in psychiatric units.
Forensic or psychiatric facility / An acute psychiatric hospital unit or a community care unit, which provides accommodation and non-acute care and support to people with mental illness and psychiatric disabilities.
Crisis/transitional house / Accommodation provided for a limited time while long-term or permanent living arrangements are being made. This may include living in night shelters, refuges, hostels for the homeless, halfway houses, public housing or a transitional housing program.
Aged care / Hostel or nursing home that provides accommodation and staff support to people aged 65 years or over.
6.2Who do you live with?
This question assists us to understand your general living arrangements, and is required for statistical reporting. Below is a description of the arrangements.
I live:
Live alone / –by myself, not with anyone else
Live with family / –with parents, partner, children, relatives (siblings, uncle/aunty, grandparents, and so on), or foster family
Live with others / –with friends, other people who are not a family member or relative
6.3Do you have a primary carer?
A primary carer is someone who provides you with a significant amount of assistance and support. If you do, we need name and their date of birth. This information assists us to identify if they are an aging carer (65 years or over, or for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people 50 years or over). This information is one factor considered in allocating ongoing disability supports and is also used for statistical purposes.
6.4Do you have a legal guardian?
A legal guardian is someone who has been appointed by court to make lifestyle decisions your behalf. It may include decisions about financial, health, accommodation or all of these.
6.5Please tell us about your (the applicant) living situation.
Are your accommodation and living arrangements going well?
This information helps us understand factors that may impact on your need for support. You can tell us the people you live with. You should include details about:
- if you are at risk of becoming homeless
- if you have moved many times
- if your housing situation is not stable
- if there have been recent changes that impact on your support.
6.6Are you currently looking for, or interested in, living in private rental or public housing?
This information will assist with future planning for new housing options for people with disabilities. We are also working with housing agencies on improving access to affordable housing for people with disabilities.
6.7Are you currently on a public housing waiting list?
This information will assist with future planning for new housing options for people with disabilities.
If you are currently looking for or interested in another place to live in public or social housing, you will need to be registered on the Public Housing Waiting List in order to be considered for any housing opportunities. If you are not already registered on the Public Housing Waiting List, you should refer to the Housing website for more information.
6.8What type of household layout would you need and why?
This information will assist with future planning for new housing options for people with disabilities. It will also assist in identifying housing opportunities that are suitable to individual requirements.
Help Guide: Application for ongoing disability support1
Section 7: Understanding yourdisability support needs/ This information helps regions with understanding how your disability affects your daily life, how you are being supported and what areas you need support with.
7.1Tell us about the areas related to your disability that you need assistance with. Include the level, type and amount of support you need.
To help us understand your support needs related to your disability, briefly describe the areas you generally need support in and the nature of the support you may require.
This could include areas such as:
cooking, eating, dressing, toileting, making decisions, communication, mobility at home and in the community, using public transport, domestic and household duties, working, maintaining or accessing educational placements, managing how you conduct yourself, community participation, managing interpersonal relationships, caring for a dependant, and any other areas that you need help with.
Information about your health or behaviour support needs helps us to understand where there are complexities in your disability needs.
If you have health-related needs – you may want to include information such as the type of health issue, how this impacts on your life and need for support.
If you have behavioural support needs – you may want to include information such as what you are expressing or responding to with these actions, situations that may trigger an action occurring, the frequency and how this is managed. If relevant, also include if the behaviour poses a risk to you or other people.
If you are requesting Supported Accommodation you do not need to provide too much detail here, as this will be covered in your individual profile.
7.2How are other people assisting with your support needs? Include help from your family and friends and any other support services.
People with a disability have range of people who help them with their disability-related needs. This can include informal, community or specialist supports. Include the details of people and organisations that provide you with frequent support.
Informal supports: parents, grandparents, siblings, other relatives, friends, people met through personal networks, including religious, spiritual, hobby and recreation.
Community supports: hospitals, general practitioner, community centres, neighbourhood houses, job networks.
Disability service providers: people who are paid to support you, including disability service organisations in the community.
7.3Do you already have funding from an Individual Support Package?
If you have an Individual Support Package (ISP) funded by Disability Services we need to know how much ongoing funding you receive per year. This is so we understand the difference between what you are currently getting and what additional support you need. Ifyou are not sure how much you are receiving, please call your regional office on 1800783783.
7.4If your disability was the result of an accident or injury, have you received, or are you likely to receive, compensation?
If you receive compensation for an accident or injury, any ongoing funding you receive from Disability Services for your disability related to that injury may be paid back in full. This is because your ongoing care and support should be provided through the compensation funding. For more information please read the Compensable Client Guidelines, which you can obtain on the Disability Services website, or by contacting Intake and Response.
Help Guide: Application for ongoing disability support1