What is Supported Independent Living?
Supported Independent Living, or SIL, is a type of NDIS-funded Home and Living support, that helps people with disabilities to live as independently as possible. With SIL, you’re supported at home by your own dedicated team of support workers. This often includes overnight care – so someone is always there, 24/7, to provide any support or assistance you need.
SIL supports can help with a wide range of needs and goals. Your SIL Service Coordinator will work with you, getting to know any goals you want to achieve, and the areas where you need assistance. Together, you’ll build a support team, so you’ll have people you know and trust coming to your home each day.
Your support workers may help with things such as personal care, or household tasks. Maybe you’re moving out of your family home for the first time, and want to develop life skills, such as cleaning and cooking healthy meals for yourself – your SIL support team can help you with that! They can also support you with exploring new hobbies and building social skills. They can handle storage and administration of medication, management of complex medical needs, or behaviour support under a Behaviour Support Plan.
It’s important to know that when you’re receiving SIL supports,
you have choice and control over how you live your life.
Your SIL team is there to support you as you make those choices.
Where will I live?
SIL supports are commonly provided in a share-house arrangement with other NDIS participants, according to your care ratio in your NDIS plan. It means the support worker will support you and your housemates all at the same time – that way, you share the costs.
This house-sharing arrangement can be a great way to develop relationships and social skills. At For Care, we focus on bringing like-minded people together, and we love seeing new friendships blossom among housemates!
To help make these house-share arrangements work smoothly, housemates can be part of a separate Rooming Agreement. SIL funding does not cover rent, but this Rooming Agreement can help you share costs such as rent and living expenses in the most cost-effective way possible.
Read More: The Benefits of Supported Independent Living
Getting approved for SIL Funding can be a long and complicated journey, and it’s quite a team effort! This guide can give you an idea of the process, and you can contact us for more information.
How to access SIL funding
SIL is funded under the NDIS category Assistance with Daily Life, which is a sub-category in your Core budget.
The truth is, accessing SIL funding can be a long process. There are lots of reports and evidence required, and it can take many months to go through all the steps along the way. But you’ll have a few key people involved in the process:
- Your Support Coordinator, to help you explore your housing options. You’ll need to have a goal of ‘seeking housing’ in your NDIS plan. If you don’t have that yet, your Support Coordinator can contact the NDIA.
If you don’t have Support Coordination funding, find out more here. It is strongly advised that you work with a Support Coordinator to access SIL services. Their knowledge and expertise will help you effectively implement your NDIS plan.
- Allied health professionals to provide evidence about your personal circumstances. For example, an Occupational Therapist will perform an assessment, determine the level of support you need, and whether you may be eligible for SIL funding.
- Your Support Coordinator can help connect you with SIL providers.
- Your chosen SIL provider will prepare a quote for the NDIS.
- The NDIS reviews the request and all the supporting documents, works with the SIL provider, and decides whether you’ll be eligible for SIL funding.
- Congratulations! Once you’re approved, you’re ready to start your next big step in Supported Independent Living – finding and settling into your new home, enjoying your independence, and being empowered to pursue your goals.
Am I Eligible for SIL?
This support is for people who want to live independently, but need more support than their informal support network is able to give. In your application, you’ll need to prove that you need support most or all of the time. Read more here about eligibility for SIL.
Want to know more?
Our professional, caring team is ready to answer any questions you have about eligibility for SIL, and our services around southern Queensland.
We take a flexible approach and thrive on supporting people to achieve their goals and maximise quality of life.
Contact us to see how we can help you live life your way, with the peace of mind of our trusted support.
