Best Practices for Writing a Successful NDIS Support Letter

Posted On April 20, 2023April 20, 2023

Have you been tasked with writing a support letter for a friend, family member or loved one in your life? 

Don’t worry — it’s not as daunting as it looks. 

Usually, the NDIA (National Disability Insurance Scheme) doesn’t actually ask for support letters, however, they can help to strengthen an application. 

For example, if an NDIS applicant has somebody in their life that supports and cares for them, they may ask this individual to write a support letter that details the kind of support this person offers them. 

So, if you offer unpaid support to somebody in your life, writing a support letter may help to strengthen their application and better explain their condition to the NDIA. 

If that’s the case for you, follow along as we jump into what a support letter entails and how to write a successful and professional NDIS support letter. 

What is a support letter? 

Put simply, a support letter is a written letter/document that a carer can supply to the NDIA as a part of an NDIS application. 

This support letter may provide further evidence of the support needed within the home environment and the nature of a disability.

This support letter’s aim should be to clarify the everyday difficulties that the NDIS applicant faces and accurately explain how much care and support this person requires. 

If the carer is comfortable sharing and it’s appropriate given the circumstances, this letter can also include details about the caring role’s effect on the caregiver.

When is a support letter required of me? 

There are two reasons why it would be a wise idea for you to write a support letter for an NDIS applicant in your life.

1. If the NDIA has specifically requested additional support letters. The NDIA can request additional support letters from medical professionals, support workers or carers when they are in the process of submitting a claim. If the NDIA has asked the NDIS applicant in your life for additional supporting evidence, including an unpaid carer support letter, you may be required to submit a letter.
   
2. Providing additional support letters can strengthen an application, even if the NDIA hasn’t explicitly asked for them. For this reason, it’s a good idea to supply a support letter, regardless of requests to help with the success rate of the application and aid in guiding the NDIA’s decision. 

What to include in a support letter? 

Throughout an NDIS support letter, the impacts of a person’s disability or condition should be discussed, as well as the level of support they require and how you may contribute to this support.

The following information should be included in your written letter:

• The role you play and the length of time you have been supporting the applicant.
• How much and what kind of support do you provide.
• The number of hours you spend providing support each week and how often you do so.
• Besides family, friends, or carers, what other informal supports does the applicant have?
• Describe how the applicant’s health condition or disability impacts his or her daily life (the six important categories to mention include mobility/motor skills, communication, social interaction, learning, self-care and self-management). 

How do I write about the impact the support has on me? 

If you have decided to include a ‘carer impact’, aka, explaining how providing support and care affects you, there are a few things to consider. 

Firstly, the logistics — your impact statement can either be submitted as a part of your support letter or it can be submitted separately as a piece of evidence. 

You do not have to submit this impact statement (unless requested); however, it may help with the application process.

If you do decide to move forward with a carer statement, it is best to include the following information:

• What impact the caring role has on you and the applicant’s family in terms of mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
• Whether you have the ability to continue providing this care in the future.
• How much extra support and funding would mean for you personally.
• And any other necessary information that may help with the NDIA’s decision making .

Accessing help in the meantime

If you are looking for additional support with minimising your role as a hands-on carer, options are available. 

It might be a wise idea to contact a professional team of local area coordinators, who can help you access support and services, even if you aren’t yet approved for the NDIS. 

Finding support and help in your local area can be relieving and take the pressure off your role as a carer. 

On top of this, there are disability employment services available that can help those with injuries, illnesses and disabilities to find a role that suits their needs. 

Through disability employment services, those with illnesses, injuries and disabilities can access the support they need to find and keep a job.

This can help build independence, a more stable routine, confidence, and new social connections and skills.