What is a change of circumstance?
When you are a participant with the NDIS, any changes in your circumstances may affect your access request, your NDIS plan or your status as a participant you need to let the NDIS know by filling Change of Circumstances Form. Sometimes a change may not seem like it’s something you need to inform the NDIS about, but it’s crucial that you take the time to know what needs to be reported.
Here are some potential examples
If there is a change to your disability needs
If you are progressing well in your treatment and find you no longer need particular support, you should update the NDIS. Likewise, if you have found your situation deteriorating, you should update the NDIS about your needs.
Increased or decreased support from family or friends
If one of your primary carers has had to move away or stopped providing care to you, you should let the NDIS know about these changes in your circumstances. Similarly, if family or friends are providing more support to you, you should let the NDIS know so they can consider these changes to your support.
Graduation from school, getting a job or enrolling at TAFE
If you have made significant changes in your life and feel that these will help you or not help you in your ability to participate in the NDIS, it is important to let the NDIS know. Your NDIS planner and LAC can help with this.
You receive a compensation payout
If you receive a payout, it does not automatically exclude you from the NDIS, but the NDIS will need to know about this.
Change of address, contact details or bank accounts
These are vital pieces of information that you must update with the NDIS. If you have moved or changed your address, you must notify the NDIS of this change. Similarly, if contact details have changed, you should also let the NDIS know.
All of the above are examples of changes in circumstance that you should update the NDIS about. But of course, if you are unsure of your situation, consult with your LAC or NDIS planner.
How to inform the NDIS of changes in your circumstances
You can fill out a change of circumstances form, which can be downloaded from the NDIS website.
Which details do you need to provide?
You must fill out the form correctly and clearly. Information that the change of circumstances form will ask for are:
Details of your name, NDIS number, DOB, Postal Address, Phone, Email, as well as your local NDIS site and Local Area Coordinator Office.
You can also have a parent or legal guardian fill out the form on your behalf.
You’ll need to provide a description of the change of your circumstance and inform them whether this change is permanent or temporary. As well as giving the start and end dates of the change.
Make sure to enter any changes to your address, phone number and email correctly to avoid any missed communication between the NDIS and yourself.
You will also need to outline the type of change in your circumstances. For example,
- if your financial situation has changed, you need to explain the nature of this change – i.e. you’ve changed banks, or a guardian has started to manage your funds.
- Your informal supports an/or living arrangements have been changed i.e. you need to inform NDIS when your family members situation or working condition changed and you need to replace this support.
- Your working status has changed i.e. You have changed your working hours, or you become part time to full time
- Your disability support needs changed i.e. you need to increase or decrease your funded support
- Your health and wellbeing has changed i.e. You have diagnosed with a health condition which may affect your disability.
- You need to inform NDIS other type of change which may have change your circumstances.
You can also inform the NDIS of changes in your circumstances by phone at 1800 555 677 or in person at your local NDIS office.