SIL AND SDA – WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

By Rebekah Devlin with Endeavour Foundation

Supported Independent Living (SIL) is the NDIS funding that supports people to live as independently as possible. Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is the accommodation/housing in which those services are delivered.

SIL funding is typically for people who need 24/7 support while living in a shared home. It exists to cover the cost of the support staff in the house.

There is a lot of confusion about how SIL funding works because it can be complex and can work a bit differently to other parts of the NDIS. Often the best way to work out what it means for you, is to talk to someone.

WHAT KIND OF PLAN WILL YOU NEED?

To receive SIL supports, you need to have the right NDIS funding.

As with any NDIS funding, it will come down to whether the supports are reasonable and necessary for your situation.

At June 30, the average annual NDIS payment for someone receiving SIL supports was $340,900.

Because SIL tends to be quite a significant amount of money, you will need to really prove how reasonable and necessary it is for you – a lot of people do not receive SIL funding, as it tends to go to people with very high needs.

SHORT TERM ACCOMMODATION

Short Term Accommodation, including respite, is funding for support and accommodation for a short time away from your usual home. It covers the cost of your care in another place for up to 14 days at a time. You might have a short stay with other people, or by yourself. It’s often funded when your usual carers aren’t available, or for you to try new things.

Sometimes a short stay away from home:

• Gives you the chance to try new things.
• Can be a place to make new friends or develop new skills.
• May help to maintain your current living situation by giving your carers a break. Short Term Accommodation includes personal care, accommodation, food and activities.

Usually, the NDIS funds up to 28 days of Short Term Accommodation per year, which can be used flexibly, meaning you might want to use it in a block of up to 14 days at a time or for one weekend a month.

Endeavour Foundation supports people with disability to live, learn, work and flourish according to their own interests and priorities.
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