Getting help around the yard: What will the NDIS cover?

If you have disability and find that tasks like mowing the lawn or maintaining a tidy garden can be a challenge, you may be able to use your NDIS funding to help keep your yard clean and safe.

The Leap in! Crew knows it can be tricky to determine exactly what the NDIS will cover in these circumstances, so we have prepared this handy guide to help explain what supports are available and how to access them.

Keeping your yard safe, neat and liveable.

Maintaining your lawn and garden is an important aspect of home maintenance, regardless of whether you rent or own your home.

The NDIS may be able to cover the cost of hiring a service provider to help with your yard work, depending on your individual circumstances, according to these guidelines:

• Your disability prevents you from being able to undertake the tasks yourself
• The task does not require a licensed technician like an electrician or plumber
• The support is related to your NDIS goals
• The support must also be considered “reasonable and necessary” – more on What is reasonable and necessary?

Using your NDIS budget for yard maintenance.

Support for home and garden maintenance is included in the NDIS Core supports budget under the Assistance with Daily Life category. There are four categories in the Core supports budget and each is designed to help people with disability live as independently as possible. In most cases, your Core supports budget can be flexible so you may be able to put your existing funding towards caring for your yard. 

It is important to be aware of the price limits the NDIS places on different supports. Yard maintenance falls under the Assistance with Household Tasks support item. The current price limits are based on an hourly rate which differs based on where the support is delivered.

These are the current hourly price limits:

• National $53.09
• Remote $74.33
• Very remote $79.64

Choosing the right service provider to help around your yard.

When you’re plan managed, you can choose any yard maintenance company you like regardless of whether they are NDIS registered or not.

The NDIS does not require that you get a quote from the provider in advance however it’s a good idea to get a quote from two or three different service providers to compare costs and inclusions.

Keep in mind NDIS funding can only be used towards the cost of the service itself. This includes tasks like:

• Lawn mowing requiring a lawn mower
• Trimming edges and hedges
• Treating weeds and pests
• Fertilising the lawn and garden beds
• Cleaning walkways and gutters 
• Gardening and mulching.

If your service provider invoices you for materials like mulch, soil, compost and plants you will need to cover those costs yourself.

Making a plan to care for your yard.

The NDIS is designed to help you become as independent as possible. If you want to take on some of the tasks in your yard, that’s fine, just let your service provider know.

It’s important to consider the following:

• What tasks can you do yourself? (This is an important one as NDIS funding can only be used for yard maintenance you are unable to do yourself)
• How often does your lawn need mowing?
• Are there tasks such as weeding that can be done less often?

If one of your NDIS goals is to learn how to do these tasks yourself, you may be able to use funding from your Capacity Building budget.

6 tips for working with a yard maintenance provider.

1. List the tasks you want to be completed and how often
2. Find out if there is a discount for regular servicing
3. Check availability and whether they can attend on a day that suits you
4. Negotiate a service agreement outlining the services and costs
5. Make any arrangements for access such as unlocking the gate
6. Let your service provider know if you have pets and ensure any dogs are restrained or moved inside on the day.

How Leap in! can help.

Whether you’re considering hiring someone to help care for your yard or you’re interested in developing your own gardening skills, Leap in! can connect you with a service provider. We have a growing number of registered and non-registered providers on our website: see our Provider Network Directory for more details.

Call us on 1300 05 78 78, email us at crew@leapin.com.au or chat with us online on our website.