We are often contacted by carers or participants wishing to access funding in the NDIS, about whether a functional capacity assessment conducted by an OT is required as part of their application.
During the assessment of your access request, the NDIS will evaluate evidence of your disability, which may be provided via assessments or reports from a health professional. On the new Access Request Form your treating health professional can complete section 2, or complete the NDIS Supporting Evidence Form.
The legislation itself states that you need only provide what you have available as evidence for your application. A full Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) is often inaccessible financially prior to receiving NDIS funding (a full FCA is a 10-hour assessment).
Demonstrating the impact of your disability can be done in a variety of ways outside of a functional capacity assessment. You can demonstrate the information yourself, or have a treating health professional who knows you (the participant) write a supporting letter addressing things like the below:
How your disability impacts your everyday life in the following areas, including a description of how each area is impacted:
- mobility/motor skills
- communication
- social interaction
- learning
- self-care
- self-management
Once your access to the NDIS has been approved, we recommend you attend your first planning meeting with a request for funding to complete a full FCA, which can assist in comprehensively identifying your unmet needs, and the supports required to help you achieve your goals.
If you have any more questions – please don’t hesitate to contact us.
