Getting Financial Support For People With Disabilities
If you or a loved one has a disability, you’ll understand the ongoing need for financial support for people with disabilities. We have a world class medical system, but out of pocket or gap expenses can add up. Then there are the extras such as therapy, specialist aids to enhance quality of life. For the 4.3 million Australians living with a disability, finding continued financial assistance is a constant life pressure.
We’ve outlined the options available and guidance on how to seek financial assistance for people with disabilities in Australia.
Where we’re at with disability support in Australia
Our government pensions and schemes aim to provide a wide variety of financial support for people with disabilities.
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
We now have a single, national scheme called the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). It was rolled out in 2016 and supports people with a disability and their carers. The NDIS works with people to provide personalised financial support to help them achieve their goals.
If your child is six years and under and has a developmental delay, they may be eligible for NDIS funding. The NDIS financial assistance for disabled children ensures they can access early intervention programs quickly, which can make all the difference as they grow.
For children seven and over who need financial support for their disability, they need to have a permanent and severe disability that affects the ability to take part in everyday life in order to access the NDIS. You also need to be in an area that the NDIS is operating.
Once a person has been assessed and deemed eligible for the NDIS, an individualised plan will be drawn up based on discussions in a planning meeting.
Government pensions
If your disability stops you from working and you are over 16, you may also be eligible for the Disability Pension. This pension provides a payment for people who meet the medical and non-medical work conditions.
If you aren’t eligible for this payment, there are also pensions such as the Newstart Allowance, a Sickness Allowance and Youth Allowance if you’re between 21 – 24. There is also a Youth Disability Supplement if you‘re a young person and on certain disability support payments.
Other financial support for people with disabilities
In addition to government assistance, many people with disabilities rely on other forms of financial support to meet all their goals, like personal fundraising. Whether it’s a one-off fundraiser or ongoing support from benefactors, there are many ways to fundraise to provide financial support for someone with a disability.
Create your own disability fundraiser
If you are fundraising for something in particular, you could set up a community event like a bake sale or trivia night. It’s a great way to get friends and family involved in raising money for something important. It also helps get you involved in the community and show your face to a worthwhile cause. Offline fundraising works particularly well if there is a specific need in mind such a new wheelchair or therapy. If people know what they’re supporting, they’re more likely to go out of their way to help.
You can support your offline fundraising with an online fundraiser that’s easy to share with your network. fundraising platforms like GoFundMe, are a reliable and safe way to get donations. You can easily share the fundraiser on social media, email or messenger apps and funds are sent directly to your cause.
Get help setting up your crowdfunding page
Crowdfunding is one of the easiest and most effective ways to get financial help for disabled people. It’s easy with GoFundMe – simple sign up and share your story. It’s always more effective if you ask for what you need rather than a vague fundraising goal. Break down the costs and share with people how their money will help your quality of life or treatment. Setting smaller, more realistic goals is one way you can get to your fundraising goal much faster. By sharing as much as you can through photos and stories, people will be captivated by your story and will be more likely to donate money to your fundraiser. We’ve even collated a tonne of fundraising tips online for those in need of support or inspiration.
Related reading: Do You Need To Raise Money Quickly? Try These Fast Fundraising Ideas
Start fundraising for people with disabilties
No matter what your fundraising goal it, all fundraising support for people with disabilities can make a difference. Set up your GoFundMe today and find out how easy it can be.