Our reference: FOI 20/21-0630

                                                         GPO Box 700
                                                                                   Canberra ACT 2601
                                                                             1800 800 110

                                                                                             ndis.gov.au

22 April 2021

Ms O By email: foi+request-7221-7b056632@righttoknow.org.au

Dear Ms O

Freedom of Information request - Acknowledgement

Thank you for your request of 14 April 2021, under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) for copies of documents held by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).

Scope of your request You have requested access to the following documents about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS):

“…I have noticed that the cost of care for people with severe disabilities is extremely high just to get their basic needs met. Why do this demographic need to go through a number of levels within the NDIA for approval of their plans and plan reviews when their level of disability indicates a high cost care already? Is it the total cost of their supports or the percentage increase that requires another level of approval?

Has any research been conducted regarding the impact of these delays on the person’s quality of life and longer term functioning after each delay in receiving adequate funding? Have death rates of people with disability that were not adequately funded been recorded or suicide rates of peoplw [sic] with disability or their carers? I know of 2 mothers (carers) in the last 18 months who killed themselves during plan reviews.

Why do people with severe disability experience extensive delays in hearing their outcomes of plan reviews NDIA when they are the most vulnerable of the disability community? Is it because they cant [sic] complainant [sic]? Have there been any changes between 1 June 2016 until 1 April 2021 to address the concerns I have raised?”

Unless you advise otherwise, we will take it that you agree to the names and contact details of NDIA staff being excluded from the scope of your request (that is, the information will be treated as irrelevant).

Processing timeframes We received your request on 14 April 2021 and the 30-day statutory period for processing your request commenced from the day after that date. You should therefore expect a decision from us by 14 May 2021.

The period may be extended if we need to consult with third parties or for other reasons. We will advise you if this happens.

Charges

We may apply a processing charge to your request and will advise you as soon as practicable if a charge is payable.

Disclosure Log

Information released under the FOI Act may be published on the NDIA’s disclosure log located on our website, subject to certain exceptions.

If you wish to raise any concerns about the publication of information concerning your request, please contact us.

Further help

Please contact us at foi@ndis.gov.au if you have any questions or require help.

We will contact you using the email address you provided. Please advise if you would prefer us to use an alternative means of contact.

Yours sincerely,

Freedom of Information Officer Parliamentary, Ministerial & FOI Branch Government Division