If you are seeking Supported Independent Living (SIL) funding, the NDIS will usually require evidence about your disability-related support needs, living situation, and the support you need at home. The purpose of the evidence is to help the NDIS understand whether SIL is a reasonable and necessary support for your circumstances.
There is no single SIL evidence checklist that applies to every participant. The information required depends on your individual needs, goals and living arrangements.
Why Does the NDIS Require Evidence for SIL?
Supported Independent Living (SIL) is a Home and Living support that helps people with disability who need significant support with daily tasks at home.
Before funding SIL, the NDIS needs to understand:
- How your disability affects daily life
- What support you need at home
- Whether your current arrangements are meeting your needs
- Your Home and Living goals
- Whether SIL is the most appropriate support option
Evidence helps the NDIS make decisions based on your individual circumstances.
What Types of Evidence Are Commonly Used?
The NDIS may consider a range of information when assessing SIL.
Common examples include:
- Functional Capacity Assessments
- Occupational therapy reports
- Allied health assessments
- Behaviour support reports
- Medical information
- Home and Living assessments
- Information from current support providers
- Evidence about current living arrangements
The type of evidence required varies from person to person.
What Is a Functional Capacity Assessment?
A Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) is often one of the most important pieces of evidence used in Home and Living discussions.
An FCA is typically completed by an allied health professional, often an occupational therapist.
The assessment may examine:
- Personal care skills
- Communication
- Mobility
- Daily living activities
- Social participation
- Decision-making
- Safety considerations
- Support needs
The purpose is to provide information about how disability affects everyday functioning.
Do I Need an Occupational Therapy Report?
Not every participant will need the same assessments.
However, occupational therapists are often involved in Home and Living assessments because they can provide evidence about:
- Daily support needs
- Functional capacity
- Risks and safety considerations
- Independent living skills
- Environmental factors
The NDIS considers evidence from a range of professionals depending on the participant's circumstances.
Does the NDIS Consider Medical Evidence?
Yes.
Medical evidence can help explain:
- Diagnoses
- Health conditions
- Disability-related impacts
- Changes in circumstances
However, diagnosis alone does not determine whether SIL will be funded.
The NDIS focuses on how disability affects daily functioning and support needs.
What Information About My Current Living Situation Is Helpful?
The NDIS often considers information about:
- Where you currently live
- Who you live with
- What support you receive
- Whether current arrangements are sustainable
- Challenges you experience at home
This information helps the NDIS understand your current circumstances and future support needs.
Does the NDIS Consider Family Support?
Yes.
The NDIS may consider the role of informal supports, including support provided by family members.
This may include:
- The type of support family members provide
- How often support is provided
- Whether current arrangements are sustainable
- The impact on family members and carers
The NDIS assesses each situation individually.
What Should Good SIL Evidence Explain?
Strong evidence typically helps answer questions such as:
- What support does the participant need each day?
- Why is that support required?
- What happens when support is unavailable?
- What risks need to be managed?
- What are the participant's Home and Living goals?
- Why is SIL being considered?
The clearer the evidence, the easier it is for the NDIS to understand the participant's circumstances.
Do I Need Evidence From My Current Support Provider?
Information from current support providers can sometimes help explain a participant's support needs and daily experiences.
Depending on the situation, providers may be able to provide information about:
- Support requirements
- Daily routines
- Changes in support needs
- Risks and challenges
- Current support arrangements
The NDIS considers information from a range of sources when making decisions.
Can I Apply for SIL Without Assessments?
The NDIS requires evidence to make decisions about SIL funding.
The specific evidence needed will depend on the participant's circumstances.
If there is not enough information available, the NDIS may request additional evidence before making a decision.
How Can I Prepare My Evidence?
Preparation can help ensure the NDIS has a clear understanding of your support needs.
You may wish to:
- Gather recent reports and assessments
- Consider your Home and Living goals
- Document your daily support needs
- Record challenges with current arrangements
- Discuss evidence requirements with relevant professionals
Current and detailed information is generally more helpful than outdated reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
What evidence is needed for SIL?
The NDIS may consider Functional Capacity Assessments, occupational therapy reports, allied health assessments, medical information and evidence about current support needs and living arrangements.
Is a Functional Capacity Assessment required for SIL?
The NDIS considers a range of evidence. Functional Capacity Assessments are commonly used because they provide information about how disability affects daily functioning.
Do I need a diagnosis to get SIL?
A diagnosis may form part of the evidence, but the NDIS assesses support needs and circumstances rather than diagnosis alone.
Can family members provide evidence?
Information about family support arrangements may help the NDIS understand a participant's circumstances and support needs.
Does an occupational therapist need to recommend SIL?
The NDIS considers evidence from multiple sources. Recommendations from allied health professionals may form part of the overall evidence considered.
What if the NDIS asks for more evidence?
The NDIS may request additional information if more evidence is needed to understand your support needs or circumstances.
Read: What Is Supported Independent Living (SIL)?
Read: How Do I Apply for Supported Independent Living (SIL)?
Read: How Is Supported Independent Living (SIL) Assessed?
Read: Can I Live Alone and Receive Supported Independent Living (SIL)?
Read: Can I Receive Supported Independent Living (SIL) While Living With Family?
Read: What Does Supported Independent Living (SIL) Funding Cover?
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