What is an Individualised Living Option (ILO)?
An Individualised Living Option (ILO) is a form of NDIS support that lets you choose the type of home, you want to live in.
This includes the best-suited supports for an NDIS participant. Based on your personal circumstances and situation, NDIS decides if an ILO is the best option for the participant. However, ILO is completely separate from Supported Independent Living (SIL) or Respite care.
Having an ILO in your plan will support participants to work out their living goals:
- How do they want to live?
- Where do they want to live?
- Who do they want to live with?
- What kind of supports do they want, that includes the provider?
In short, an ILO is a package of supports, provided by the NDIS to help participants live the way they want to, in the home environment chosen by them (but it does not include the home itself).
Are you eligible for ILO support?
NDIS encourages participants to complete a “Home and Living Support” application, if they have a goal related to home and living, that cannot be met through other forms of support (such as community, informal, related or mainstream supports).
Please note, this application is not an assessment or report. The reason behind completing this form is to determine an individual’s current circumstances (including living situation), barriers, strengths and other requirements.
Your requirement should be considered reasonable and necessary to the support or service you request.
- Your form of support must be related to the disability of a participant. Also, should not include day-to-day living costs that do not associate with your disability support
- Your eligibility for support is also determined by the value of money.
- Be likely to work and be effective for the participant.
- Other forms of supports are also taken into consideration such as family, carer, or other kinds of support.
- Also, represents the value of money.
"If an NDIS participant, would like to consider or explore ILO support. The NDIS will use the information provided by you to consider ILO as an option. For example, a participant may only need a few hours of personal care as compared to an Individualised Living Option."
How does the NDIS decide on providing you with ILO support?
If an ILO is a right option for you, it is considered by the NDIS in two stages:
Stage One: Exploration and Design
Stage one identifies if ILO is the goal that is related to your disability and the support you need, to live as independently as possible. The eligibility criteria for any support provided by the NDIS needs to be identified as reasonable and necessary. Moreover, focus on the fact that an individual is supported to live as independently as possible. Also, if the support is likely to be beneficial and effective for the participant, apply for ILO.
Stage Two: ILO Support
Stage two identifies if an individual is eligible for the ILO support, by the information provided. The NDIS will look into a participant’s “Home and Living Support” application and the other information provided to you as an individual.
What are the types of ILO support?
There are three levels of ILO support by NDIS. Each level determines, the extent of support an individual need based on their circumstances, and the eligibility criteria of reasonable and necessary support.
Level 1 Support ILO includes:
- Primary support involves sharing a home with an individual that provides some form of direct support or companionship. For example, physical assistance with daily or personal care, household tasks including emotional and behavioural support.
- Supplementary support includes call support, formalised support from a neighbour, or a regular time with family.
- A stable and mature arrangement (that includes monitoring and limited re-design).
The NDIS may fund up to $105,000 per year for ILO support level 1
Level 2 Support ILO includes:
This form of support includes primary, supplementary and potential redesign form of supports (Similar to level one). But is also similar to SIL as it is the maximum form of support arrangement that includes:
- A personal care worker for at least 6 hours of daily active support.
- A sleepover by a support worker.
The NDIS may fund up to $150,000 per year for ILO support level 2
Level 3 Support ILO includes:
- Primary support is provided over more sustainable periods of time that includes a more personal relationship than the usual rostered support.
- Direct support that includes personal care and physical assistance including direct supervision with the household tasks. An example could be a significant physical disability or behavioural concerns.
- Supplementary supports as mentioned in levels one and two, but may need continuous intervention and assistance.
- Requirement for a support worker for 24 hours a day
- Continuous monitoring and support due to high-level needs.
The NDIS may fund up to $230,000 per year for ILO support level 3
The above three levels are only a form of guidance to understand the ILO as a support option. However, NDIS determines if a participant needs ILO based on their individual goals and situation.
For further information or if you are looking for ILO accommodation. Feel free to speak with our ILO experts on 08 7071 9276 or simply send us an email at hello@careassure.com.au
"Please note, this article has been carefully written under the guidance of NDIS information provided and our trained experts. Moreover, the provided information has been simplified and the reference used is the NDIS website."
