NDIS to Cover PPE Masks for NSW participants Coffs Coast Coffs Coast News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - August 13, 2020 An important announcement means NDIS participants and staff in NSW will no longer be out of pocket for masks as part of their Personal Protective Equipment. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Stuart Robert, announced temporary changes to funding arrangements to allow NDIS participants in Victoria and New South Wales to claim the cost of personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks. With community transmission of coronavirus evident in both states and in line with current health advice, Minister Robert said the Australian Government was acting to ensure participants more at risk are supported to access PPE and continue to receive their disability supports. ‘Unfortunately, we’ve seen in recent weeks that our battle with COVID-19 is far from over,’ Minister Robert said. ‘As a result, we have put in place additional temporary measures so participants living in Victoria and New South Wales, who have face-to-face assisted daily living supports can flexibly use their existing NDIS funds to cover the cost of the PPE they need to keep themselves safe, including face masks. ‘We know that participants who receive face-to-face supports may be at higher risk of transmission, with daily support from their workers regularly involving close physical contact.’ NDIS participants who rely on face-to-face supports and assistance with their daily living will be able to use an existing support item (Low Cost Disability-Related Health Consumables) to claim on the cost of PPE for the times their worker is with them. In Victoria and NSW, the ability to claim for the cost of PPE will be extended to providers allowing workers to continue delivering essential disability supports to NDIS participants. Participants living in their own home who test positive for COVID-19 and are required to self-isolate or quarantine will also now be able to claim for related cleaning costs.
