Myth:

You can only be funded to live alone in SDA if you have ‘behaviours of concern’ or can demonstrate you can’t live with other people 

Fact:

There are many reasons that you may be eligible to live alone. You do not need to have ‘behaviours of concern’ or demonstrate you can’t live with other people. You must meet the eligibility requirements for single occupancy.

Exploring the fact

Eligibility for SDA occupancy is determined by using the SDA Rules (2020) which is a part of legislation. The NDIA also considers their own operational guidelines when making a decision about whether someone can live alone. 

The part of the SDA Rules that talks about occupancy is Rule 16. Eligibility includes:

• Whether you want to live alone or with other people;
• Whether your support needs will be met when living alone;
• Whether you living alone is value for money for the NDIS;
• Whether living alone would improve your social or work life;
• Whether living alone would connect you with your community;
• If there are any risks involved in living alone or with others;
• Whether living alone will be of long term benefit to you;
• Whether living alone will improve your independent living skills;
• How living alone would allow your family to continue offering some support to you;
• Whether living alone improves your access to other services, including those funded by the NDIS.

When considering whether someone is eligible to live alone, the NDIA also look at their Operational Guidelines, which say that:

• you can use technology to call for assistance;
• you need an average of at least 1.25 hours (daytime) and 1 hour (overnight) ad hoc supports, in addition to any extra rostered 1:1 hours;
• you can usually wait up to 60 minutes for unplanned support without this becoming a risk to your safety and wellbeing; and
• you understand the risks of living alone.

Case study 1

Kate is 50 years old and has lived in her family home for 20 years with her husband Curren. Kate has a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Kate uses a power wheelchair to mobilise and transfers in and out of her wheelchair with the support of a ceiling hoist and another person. 

Over the years, as Kate’s MS has progressed and she has been unable to access the kitchen and shower in her home for the last year. Kate wants to live alone so that her husband, children, and friends can visit as often and for as long as they like. 

Kate is likely to meet the eligibility requirements for single occupancy as the support model of a single occupancy apartment would meet Kate’s support needs, and she is looking forward to being able to cook some meals for herself in an accessible kitchen. She is able to use an alert system, and can usually wait for ad hoc support. Kate also meets the eligibility requirements for single occupancy as living alone would increase her social participation and facilitate her established connections with her friends and family. 

Case study 2

Jim is 65 years old and has lived alone in a privately rented home for the past 8 years. Jim experienced a stroke in the past year and has been in hospital since then. Jim is unable to mobilise by himself and someone must propel his manual wheelchair. Jim transfers in and out of his wheelchair with the support of another person. 

Jim is medically ready for discharge, but is unable to return to his previous home as it is not wheelchair accessible and his tenancy agreement has ended. Jim requires 1:1 support at all times and his neurologist has advised that his independent living skills will not improve. The impacts of Jim’s stroke means that he cannot communicate and is unable to tell anyone where he wants to live. His son, Raphael, is his legal decision maker and wants Jim to live alone in an apartment. 

Jim is not likely to meet the eligibility requirements for single occupancy as he is unable to tell the NDIA whether he wants to live alone, he cannot use technology to call for assistance, and he does not have ad hoc support needs.

Any questions?

Contact our NDIS Housing Advice Line on 1300 61 64 63 from Monday-Friday, 10am-3pm (AEDT).

Learn more about SDA

• Find out if you are likely to be eligible for SDA with our easy-to-use SDA Eligibility Checker!
• The Housing Hub has great resources to help people understand SDA!  You can learn more about different types of housing and places to live here. 
• The Housing Hub provides free webinars about housing options for people with disability and you can find more here. 
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