Can I buy personal protection equipment (PPE) with my NDIS plan?
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact communities all over the world, more and more people are choosing to invest in high-quality PPE to reduce their risk of contracting the virus. In this blog, we’ll explain what PPE is and if you can purchase PPE with your NDIS core supports budget.
What is PPE?
PPE stands for personal protection equipment, which is equipment designed to protect the user from any health or safety hazards in the workplace. PPE can include items such as safety harnesses, high-visibility clothing, safety footwear, eye protection, safety helmets and gloves. PPE can also include respiratory protective equipment (RPE), such as visors, helmets and hoods.
Can I buy personal protection equipment (PPE) with my NDIS plan?
In order for NDIS participants to receive adequate support during the coronavirus pandemic, the NDIS has changed funding arrangements for personal protection equipment in Victoria and New South Wales on a temporary basis. NDIS participants that have active coronavirus cases in their community will be able to use their NDIS core supports budget to recover the cost of purchasing items such as gloves, face shields and face masks if:
- They use it in accordance with current guidelines from the Australian Government Department of Health
- They live in New South Wales or Victoria (temporary funding measures in restricted parts of Queensland have now ended)
- Receive face-to-face living support services once a day for at least one hour
These new temporary measures will be enforced during the following periods:
- Victoria: 29 July – 30 November 2020
- New South Wales: 29 July – 31 October 2020
In what circumstances will my PPE not be covered?
If you need to purchase masks or face coverings to be used outside your home, this qualifies as an everyday expense and so will not be covered by your NDIS funds. The everyday use of hand sanitiser also qualifies as a personal expense, but if you are a recipient of close personal support and use more hand sanitiser than you normally would, you will be able to leverage your NDIS plan to cover the cost.
How do I claim my funds and how much will I receive?
Self-managed and NDIS plan managed participants will be able to purchase personal protective equipment and claim funding for these purchases in the usual manner, but agency-managed participants will need to purchase personal protective equipment through their registered providers. In order to purchase PPE such as face masks, gloves and hand sanitiser, you can use the Low-Cost Disability-Related Health Consumables line item in your core supports budget.
NDIS participants who meet all of the above requirements will be entitled to $50 per week from their NDIS budget to purchase PPE for their use while they are receiving support from a support worker.
If you’re looking for a team of NDIS specialists that you can depend on, get in touch with our team at Instacare and we will see how we can help you with your PPE and NDIS needs.
