NDIS funding crisis: practical steps when needs change
Navigating NDIS Funding in a Crisis: Achieve Financial Stability (Part 2)
By Tanya · Originally published 7 November 2023
Original article
Meet Tanya, Founder and Director of Your Plan Manager. In 2014, Tanya envisioned a personalised approach to NDIS plan management. With a diverse executive background in accounting, legal and financial services, tackled the challenge of starting a Plan Management business. In her downtime a binge-worthy TV show is all it takes to reset and recharge the batteries, ready for another day.
In our last blog post, we explored why preparing yourself for a crisis can save you a lot of heartache. But we also recognise that no matter what you do, a crisis might arise unexpectedly. In today’s post, I want to share some simple steps you can follow when you find yourself in a crisis.
During a Crisis
When a crisis happens, refer to your goals, plan, and budget. For us this was additional direct supports and Short-Term Accommodation (STA). We immediately made a budget for our remaining funds and started to understand what we needed to get through.
If you run out of funds, there is no guarantee that your providers will be paid. Make sure you connect with your providers and have a discussion with them about your situation or stop services if possible. Even stretch them out (for example therapy services might be able to go from fortnightly to monthly). Make sure you keep everyone in the loop. Don’t pay bills unless you have an OK from the agency to do so.
[Clickability update, October 2026: Do not stop essential care without a safe continuity arrangement. Discuss the risks, remaining available funding and next steps with your providers and my NDIS contact. Paying privately does not guarantee later reimbursement. Check the current plan-variation route.]
Think about using informal supports, if possible, to help. For us this meant leaning on friends and family to help us all get through while we worked on recalibrating supports. It also meant understanding that routines and schedules might not work during this time. If you are a carer, seek some additional support such as contacting the Carer’s Gateway. They can give you invaluable support, counselling, and other resources to help you in your role.
Do you have funding in other areas of your plan you can use? For us, we looked at our Capacity Building line items to stretch our funding. This meant talking to our LAC and Support Coordinator and engaging skill development and training, extra therapy supports and other innovative ways to use funds.
[Clickability update, October 2026: You cannot freely move every budget between categories. Confirm the actual funding component, restrictions and eligible support before changing a purchase. Read the current budget guide.]
Gather reports, statements, and any relevant new information to explain the crisis and changes in circumstances before your review meeting. This supports your funding needs.
When you have your planning meeting, emphasise your worst days in crisis. Planning meetings assess funding based on a “point in time”. If your needs have changed or increased, make sure to account for these fully by describing the needs. Don’t forget any supporting evidence.
[Clickability update, October 2026: Describe usual needs and genuine fluctuations accurately, including difficult days and the assistance required. Do not exaggerate or present only the worst day as typical. Use relevant supporting evidence.]
Contact emergency services if you or your person are in immediate danger.
After a Crisis
What can you learn from your crisis? If you can debrief, think about what you will need next time. Does your emergency/crisis plan need an update?
Revise your new budget and seek to understand how to best utilise funds.
Take the opportunity to take a breath and ensure supports are still relevant and useful.
The NDIS review has agreed that currently the planning process does not deal well with crisis. The minister for the NDIS, The Hon Bill Shorten, has promised that the new NDIS will include:
[Clickability update, October 2026: The ministerial references and promises are historical. They are not a current assurance about the outcome or timing of an individual request.]
Quicker access and quality decision making
Increased engagement and collaboration
Market innovation and improved technology
A financially sustainable Scheme
Equitable and consistent decisions, and
Improve long term outcomes for people with disability, their families, and carers.
Until this happens, it is up to our community to lean on each other to maximise the support we need in crisis. Sharing information, advice and our experiences strengthen our collective voice and will ensure the new NDIS will be one that provides equally for the good times, and the times when we really need access to more help and support.
Clickability editorial update: October 2026
How participants can act when the current plan no longer fits
Write down what changed, which essential supports are affected and when the gap is likely to occur. Check outstanding invoices and available funding periods with your plan manager, if you have one. Ask your my NDIS contact which request fits the change and what evidence is needed.
A smaller change may involve a plan variation; significant ongoing changes may require a reassessment. Keep records of requests and service risks. Call emergency services if there is immediate danger.
Protect continuity without assuming family can absorb every gap
Explain the help you already provide and what you cannot safely sustain. With the participant’s permission, agree who contacts providers and tracks the request. Do not promise unpaid assistance you cannot provide or cut necessary care simply to extend a balance. Carer Gateway can help carers explore support for themselves.
Questions readers ask
Does running out of funds automatically qualify as emergency funding?
No. Current guidance distinguishes a genuine emergency from funding simply running out. Official guidance
Can every Capacity Building budget be moved to another category?
No. Check the actual category, funding restrictions and eligible support. Official guidance
Find help to organise supports when circumstances change
Tell Clickability which supports you need help arranging. Compare reviewed and rated coordination profiles, then ask about practical continuity and communication with your existing providers.
