Disability advocates and Labor have slammed a decision to end an arrangement to support NDIS participants during the coronavirus pandemic.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But the federal government has moved to reassure participants that no funding has been cut, while maintaining it provided months of notice about the changes.
The National Disability Insurance Agency has since March allowed participants to use their core funding to access support coordination, a move designed to help them manage the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The minister responsible for the NDIS, Stuart Robert, announced in October that the support measure would be extended until February.
But there had been conflicting reports and confusion among providers and advocacy groups as to whether the arrangement would cease on that date.
In a media release published after Mr Robert's announcement, peak body Disability Intermediaries Australia said the agency had advised it that the temporary measures would remain "indefinitely", or until it delivered fully flexible plans.
But the agency confirmed on Thursday that the support coordination arrangement would cease on February 28.
Disability Intermediaries Australia said it was "stunned" by the decision, one which it argued would have a "serious and profound negative impact on thousands of participants".
"How does the NDIA make such a decision, one that they know is going to affect thousands of participants, without speaking to the peak body to ensure appropriate continuity of support, duty of care and transitional service arrangements are in place a head of time," chief executive Jess Harper said.
"Notice of less than two business days to end such critical service delivery is not only offensive to [providers], but in my view creates an unjustified risk to participants."
Advocacy for Inclusion chief executive Nicole Lawler argued that the lack of consultation showed the agency was "not listening to disabled people and is further eroding trust in how the scheme is run".
"There are real consequences to this change, and the reality is that situations will worsen for people, and advocacy organisations will face increased demand." Ms Lawler said.
Labor's spokesman for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Bill Shorten, accused the Morrison government of cutting funding by "stealth".
Mr Robert hit back via social media, writing "enough of the fear-mongering from those wanting to politicise the #NDIS" as he pointed to an agency statement explaining its decision.
In the statement, the agency insisted that it was "not cutting funding for support coordination, and it is incorrect to say funding is no longer available for support coordinators".
"This measure was put in place to help participants identify additional supports if needed when their supports had been disrupted by COVID-19," the statement read.
"This temporary measure was put in place until 28 February.
"As restrictions ease around the country, the need for flexible support coordination has also eased, as participants return to their usual services or are able to easily find, choose and access their preferred services, as they did prior to the pandemic.
"The NDIA wants to provide clarity and reassurance to participants that those with support co-ordination included in their plan and budgets continue to have access to this support."
In response to questions from The Canberra Times, Mr Robert's spokesman reiterated that the minister had announced in October that the measure was being extended until February.
"This was done to give ample time for participants and providers to prepare for the change back to pre-COVID arrangements after February 2021," the spokesman said.