Barriers to applying to the NDIS for Australians with psychosocial disability: A scoping review

Abstract

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was designed to support Australians living with disability. However, public data evidence the low number of people with psychosocial disability in the Scheme. One reason for these low numbers is that many people with psychosocial disability have still not applied to receive NDIS support. The aim of this review was to analyse and synthe sise previously reported barriers preventing people with psychosocial disability applying to the Scheme. A search of seven databases identified 61 relevant documents including peer-reviewed research, published expert opinion pieces, newspaper articles and government and independent enquiries and reports. Thematic analysis revealed five overarching barriers to applying: social inequities acting as barriers to applying; stigma, trauma and previous negative experiences; barriers to finding supports needed to apply; challenges understanding the relevance of the Scheme; and experiences and symptoms of mental illness extend and exacerbate barriers. These barriers signpost problems inherent within an application process designed without engaging or being responsive to the expertise of and insights into people living with psychosocial disability. Resolution of these substantial barriers will not be a small task. It will require commitment to redesigning the Scheme's application process through a genuinely codesigned approach.

I have not come here because I have nothing better to do: The lived experience of presenting to the emergency department for people with a psychosocial disability and an NDIS plan—A qualitative study

“…For example, care providers can be limited in delivering services required (Langmead, 2018; Stampoulis‐Lyttle, 2019) due to the cost of service delivery or staffing issues. As psychosocial and disability support (through the NDIS) has moved from a service‐focussed funding model to a market‐driven model, tensions have arisen that were not evident prior to the NDIS being created (Mellifont et al., 2023).…”

National disability insurance scheme access: What evidence do you need to provide for psychosocial disability?

“…A substantial number of people (27%) who received psychosocial supports through the previously funded MH programs did not meet the NDIS access criteria despite receiving support to apply. 3 Further, people living with a MH condition and their carers reported that they found the access process confusing and stressful, and that it was challenging to identify what information was required. 3 Consistent with the core principals of the NDIS, the access process takes a person-centred approach, requiring the person with the disability and/or their carer to initiate the process, liaise with services to collate and submit the required evidence within the given time frames.…”

“…A substantial number of people (27%) who received psychosocial supports through the previously funded MH programs did not meet the NDIS access criteria despite receiving support to apply. 3 Further, people living with a MH condition and their carers reported that they found the access process confusing and stressful, and that it was challenging to identify what information was required. 3 …”

“… 3 Further, people living with a MH condition and their carers reported that they found the access process confusing and stressful, and that it was challenging to identify what information was required. 3 …”

“…3 Further, people living with a MH condition and their carers reported that they found the access process confusing and stressful, and that it was challenging to identify what information was required. 3 Consistent with the core principals of the NDIS, the access process takes a person-centred approach, requiring the person with the disability and/or their carer to initiate the process, liaise with services to collate and submit the required evidence within the given time frames. 4 This can be extremely difficult for people with a MH condition, given that psychosocial functional impairments commonly include difficulties with communication, cognition, planning, goal setting and task management, and an inability to recognise their own impaired functioning.…”