Some people who rely on the National Disability Insurance Scheme claim it has an adversarial approach that is pushing them to despair, with lengthy battles over funding becoming increasingly common.
The average plan budget for people on the scheme has fallen over the last two years from $70,010 to $68,800, but the agency argues this is because there are more children entering the scheme who require lower amounts.
"We cover the area of regional Victoria and we've had to completely close our waitlist since February," she said."We don't have enough staff working on NDIS appeals to support that, so we have no choice but to close our waitlist." "Instead, people are being dragged through this adversarial combative process, which is very legalistic and it really shouldn't be like that."Lauren Smith and her teenage son Gabe live in Torquay, Victoria, and have lodged an appeal with the AAT to try and resolve a funding dispute.Gabe Smith requires a high level of support, but his latest plan had slashed funding for occupational therapy, physiotherapy and transport.
"And then you receive a letter to say that your application has been rejected because it's not value for money and it just it breaks your heart."
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