Supported Independent Living (SIL) funding helps pay for support workers who assist NDIS participants with daily tasks and personal support at home. SIL funding is designed to help participants live as independently as possible while receiving the support they need because of the impact of their disability.
SIL funding does not pay for housing, rent, groceries, or other everyday living expenses.
What Is Supported Independent Living (SIL)?
Supported Independent Living (SIL) is an NDIS Home and Living support.
According to the NDIS, SIL provides help with daily tasks to participants who need significant support at home.
SIL funding is intended to cover the cost of support services rather than accommodation or household expenses.
What Supports Can SIL Funding Cover?
The supports funded through SIL vary depending on a participant's individual circumstances and NDIS plan.
SIL funding may contribute to support with:
- Personal care
- Showering and dressing
- Eating and meal-related support
- Medication support
- Household tasks
- Daily routines
- Developing independent living skills
- Supervision and support at home
- Support to maintain health and wellbeing
- Assistance with daily activities in the home
The NDIS assesses what supports are reasonable and necessary based on the participant's needs and goals.
Does SIL Funding Pay for Support Workers?
Yes.
SIL funding is primarily used to fund support workers who provide assistance in the participant's home.
The level of support funded depends on the participant's assessed support needs.
Support may be delivered in different ways depending on the participant's living arrangement and circumstances.
Does SIL Funding Cover Overnight Support?
In some circumstances, yes.
If evidence demonstrates that overnight support is reasonable and necessary, SIL funding may include overnight support arrangements.
The type of overnight support funded depends on the participant's individual support needs and circumstances.
The NDIS assesses these requirements on a case-by-case basis.
Does SIL Funding Cover Shared Supports?
It can.
Some participants live in arrangements where support workers assist more than one person.
In these situations, some supports may be shared between participants.
Whether supports are shared depends on the participant's circumstances and the support model being used.
What Does SIL Funding Not Cover?
SIL funding is intended to pay for support services rather than everyday living costs.
SIL generally does not cover:
- Rent
- Mortgage repayments
- Groceries
- Electricity
- Gas
- Water bills
- Internet services
- Personal spending
- Entertainment expenses
These costs are generally considered ordinary living expenses.
Does SIL Funding Pay for Housing?
No.
SIL funding does not pay for housing or accommodation costs.
Many people confuse SIL with Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), but they are different NDIS supports.
SIL funds support services.
SDA is a separate NDIS support that contributes to the cost of specialised housing for eligible participants with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs.
Does SIL Funding Pay for Home Modifications?
Not usually.
Home modifications are generally funded through different NDIS supports when they are approved as reasonable and necessary.
Home modifications are not part of SIL funding.
Does SIL Funding Cover Community Access?
Community participation supports may be funded through other areas of a participant's NDIS plan.
Whether a support is funded through SIL or another support category depends on the participant's circumstances and how the support relates to their goals and needs.
Participants should refer to their NDIS plan and approved funding arrangements for details about their specific supports.
How Much SIL Funding Can Someone Receive?
There is no standard SIL funding amount.
Funding is based on the participant's assessed support needs and individual circumstances.
The NDIS considers factors such as:
- Daily support needs
- Functional capacity
- Living arrangements
- Risks and safety considerations
- Evidence from assessments and reports
Funding decisions are made on an individual basis.
How Does the NDIS Decide What SIL Will Cover?
The NDIS considers evidence about a participant's support needs and circumstances.
This may include:
- Functional Capacity Assessments
- Occupational therapy reports
- Allied health reports
- Home and Living assessments
- Information about current support arrangements
The NDIS then determines which supports are reasonable and necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does SIL funding pay for?
SIL funding helps pay for support workers who assist with daily tasks and personal support at home.
Does SIL funding pay for rent?
No. SIL funding does not cover rent or accommodation costs.
Does SIL funding pay for groceries?
No. Groceries are considered an everyday living expense and are not covered by SIL funding.
Does SIL funding pay for support workers?
Yes. SIL funding is designed to fund support services delivered in the participant's home.
Does SIL funding cover overnight support?
It may. The NDIS assesses overnight support needs based on the participant's circumstances and evidence.
Does SIL funding cover home modifications?
No. Home modifications are generally funded separately when approved by the NDIS.
Is SIL the same as SDA?
No. SIL funds support services, while SDA contributes to the cost of specialised housing for eligible participants.
Read: What Is Supported Independent Living (SIL)?
Read: Am I Eligible for Supported Independent Living (SIL)?
Read: Supported Independent Living (SIL) Registration Changes Explained
Read: How Does Supported Independent Living (SIL) Funding Work?
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