The Difference Between Plan Management And Support Coordination
Managing the ins and outs of your NDIS plan can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially if you are at the very start of your NDIS journey.
That is why Plan Management and Support Coordination are there to help participants put their plans into action. Because they both focus on plan assistance, you may be wondering what form of support you could expect from each.
In this article, we’ll look at the differences between Plan Management and Support Coordination. We'll find out what type of assistance they each provide, the eligibility criteria, and how they can help you make the most out of your plan and funding.
What’s the difference between Plan Management and Support Coordination?
Plan Management and Support Coordination often work hand in hand to provide guidance and expert advice to participants who may require some help with managing and/or executing their plans.
The key difference between the two is that they each focus on different aspects of implementing an NDIS plan. Put simply, Plan Management helps with the financial administration while Support Coordination focuses on supports and providers. Another difference is eligibility. While all participants can access Plan Management, Support Coordination is only available to those who meet the ‘reasonable and necessary’ criteria.
Plan Management
A plan manager takes care of the financial aspects of the plan for you. In a way, you can think of them as your personal plan accountant who looks after often complicated and arduous tasks, such as budget tracking and invoice handling.
This service is fully funded by the NDIS and available to all participants with no out of pocket costs. You can simply request to have it included in your plan during your plan review or at any other time as well.
What can a Plan Manager assist with?
- Receiving invoices and paying providers on your behalf
- Lodging fund claims through the NDIS portal
- Tracking the funding and supports budget
- Managing the financial reporting for your upcoming plan reviews and/or audits
- Providing expert advice on any NDIS plan related matters
Support Coordination
A Support Coordinator takes care of the provider related aspects of the plan for you. They help you find and connect with the providers best suited for your needs and ensure you spend the funds in a way that gives you the best chance to reach your set goals.
You can access this service regardless of how your plan is managed (plan-managed, self-managed, NDIA-managed) as long as you can show that it is reasonable and necessary. Typically, funding is granted if you don't have a family member or friend who could help perform the tasks a Support Coordinator otherwise would.
What can a Support Coordinator assist with?
- Unpacking the details of your NDIS plan
- Finding and connecting with the most suitable providers
- Helping track the progress you make
- Preparing for your plan review meeting
- Providing expert advice on any provider and supports related matters
Learn more about how to choose a plan manager or if you’re a support coordinator learn how to use Hireup to find the best support workers for your clients
