State-Wide Equipment Program and the NDIS
State-wide Equipment Program and the NDIS –
Participant Information Pack
Contents
What is the State-wide Equipment Program (SWEP)?
What is the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)?
How do I know if I am eligible?
What is the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)?
What is SWEP’s relationship with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)?
What is a SWEP Registered Prescriber?
What are the benefits of using a SWEP Registered Prescriber to undertake my NDIS assessment?
Why does the Agency use SWEP and what are the benefits to you?
How is my NDIS application submitted to SWEP?
When do I receive my Equipment, home or vehicle modification?
What happens if I am an existing SWEP client with applications still to be funded?
Feedback
Providing Feedback
How do I provide feedback?
If I make a complaint will I be disadvantaged in future dealings with SWEP?
Will my complaint be responded to?
What happens if I am unhappy with the result of the complaint?
How to contact SWEP
What is the State-wide Equipment Program (SWEP)?
The State-wide Equipment Program (SWEP) is managed by Ballarat Health Services. SWEP provides Victorian people who either have a permanent or long-term disability or are frail aged with equipment and home and vehicle modifications. SWEP aims to help people keep or improve their independence and participate more in their community. SWEP manages a number of different equipment and modification programs including:
- Aids and Equipment Program (A&EP)
- Continence Aids (CA)
- Domiciliary Oxygen Program (DOP)
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
- Supported Accommodation Equipment Assistance Scheme (SAEAS)
- Top-up Fund for Children (TFC)
- Vehicle Modification Subsidy Scheme (VMSS)
- Community Equipment Programs (CEP)
What is the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)?
The NDIS aims to provide personal support for participants under 65 years of age, with long term or significant disabilities, to get the support you need. The NDIS will fund supports that are reasonable and necessary for participants to achieve their goals.
How do I know if I am eligible?
To be eligible for the NDIS you will need to meet the age, residency, and disability or early intervention access requirements.
To see if you meet the access requirements, you can use the NDIS ‘Access Checklist’ which is available on the NDIS website You can also contact the NDIS on 1800 800 110 and speak with a representative.
What is the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)?
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is the agency that implements the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Their priority is to ensure people with disability get the support that you need. The Agency will arrange for someone to work with you to develop your NDIS plan.
What is SWEP’s relationship with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)?
The State-wide Equipment Program (SWEP) has been working with the Agency since the beginning of the NDIS in 2013 and has a great understanding of how the Scheme works. SWEP has working arrangements with the Agency as the Scheme rolls out across Victoria. SWEP has been chosen to partner with the Agency because of their experience in providing these supports to people living in the community.
In Victoria, SWEP is a service provider to the National Disability Insurance Agency. SWEP is responsible for meeting most participants’ approved equipment needs. The NDIA staff will use the SWEP prescriber ‘pin-drop’ tool to locate a SWEP Registered Prescriber who will help you decide what you need. The NDIA will need to give their approval and then SWEP will arrange supply of the equipment, home or vehicle modification, by either supplying a reissue item or purchasing a new item.
What is a SWEP Registered Prescriber?
A SWEP registered prescriber is a health professional whose qualifications and level of experience are recognised by SWEP. Prescribers must have the appropriate qualifications to prescribe different types of equipment, home and vehicle modifications. SWEP supports a person centred approach and your prescriber will need to complete an assessment with you.
What are the benefits of using a SWEP Registered Prescriber to undertake my NDIS assessment?
All prescribers must be registered with SWEP in order to prescribe for NDIS participants. All SWEP prescribers are given a traffic light colour that relates to their experience and further education.
- A ‘Green’ prescriber can prescribe commonly used equipment, home and vehicle modifications.
- An ‘Amber’ prescriber will have a higher level of experience and education. The equipment, home and vehicle modifications they can prescribe, and participants they can prescribe for, are more complex.
- A ‘Red’ prescriber is recognised as an expert in their field. Applications that need the expertise of these prescribers will be the most complicated, and the participants the most complex.
Why does the Agency use SWEP and what are the benefits to you?
- Support – SWEP have an NDIS Team working with the Agency staff who will support you at all stages of the process. The SWEP NDIS team is available Monday to Friday 8:30 – 5pm by calling 1300 747 937 and pressing option ‘0’. The team can also be contacted by email at . SWEP have a dedicated Manager for this team and her contact number is PH: 5333 8152.
- Repairs - Maintenance and repairs for NDIS participants with SWEP equipment will be arranged by SWEP. SWEP provides a 24 hour 7 days a week (including ALL public holidays) emergency repair service. You can reach a member of the SWEP repairs team by calling 1300 747 937 and pressing option ‘1’ to speak to the on-call SWEP staff member. Emergency repairs can still be arranged even if you are away from home or interstate. SWEP can follow up with your planner to make sure funding for repairs is in your plan.
- Participant History – As a large number of SWEP clients will move to the NDIS, SWEP can provide the Agency with a complete history of your items, including repair history.
- Bulk Purchasing – SWEP have contracts in place with some suppliers to make sure that you get value for money. By having contracts in place we ensure the supplier is suitable and the quality of equipment is guaranteed. The selection processes make sure that the equipment:
- is suitable for purpose
- is quality and durability tested
- is adjustable
- is easy to clean and maintain
- has clear warranty arrangements
- may be ‘reissue-able’ (if appropriate)
- includes delivery, installation and education
- is the best possible price
- meets any relevant standards
- Continence – Once you have been assessed and on-going approval has been given by the NDIA, SWEP will arrange regular continence deliveries for you. SWEP will make contact with you when re-orders are due so that items and amounts are correct before delivery. If your needs have changed, SWEP will contact your prescriber for you. All continence deliveries will be delivered to your door in discreet packaging.
- Reissue/ Refurbished Equipment – NDIS participants will be able to access the SWEP reissue equipment pool. Your prescriber will help determine whether this will be suitable for you and the Agency will need to approve this in your plan. By using reissue equipment, you may have more money in your plan for other supports.
- Support For You – By using SWEP, you will be supported by the SWEP NDIA team. SWEP will save you time by working directly with the NDIA staff, your prescriber, and suppliers for you. SWEP will keep you informed through every stage of the application process. You can also check the status of your application online – as well as view SWEP monthly snapshots.
- SWEP Prescriber Registration and Credentialing Framework – By using a SWEP registered prescriber you will be assured that you get the best advice about your equipment, home and vehicle modification needs.
- NDIS Experience – SWEP has worked closely with Agency staff to develop efficient processes that ensure your equipment, home and vehicle modification needs are met in a timely manner
How is my NDIS application submitted to SWEP?
Applications for NDIS participants can be submitted on the SWEP website. Your prescriber will be able to view and manage your applications online at any time. The website will also allow you to view the status of your applications.
Your prescriber will help you decide what you need and thensubmit your application online to the SWEP NDIS Team. SWEP will then submit the application to the Agency who will decide if your application will be funded by the NDIS.
When do I receive my Equipment, home or vehicle modification?
Once the Agency has approved yourapplication, SWEP will arrange for the supplier to deliver or install the item. You will receive a letter from SWEP to let you know that this is happening. If you have any questions about this process, please contact us on 1300 747 937 and press option ‘0’ to speak directly with the SWEP NDIS Team.
What happens if I am an existing SWEP client with applications still to be funded?
Once you become an NDIS participant, SWEP will forward to the Agency any applications for equipment, home and vehicle modifications
thathave not yet been supplied. These items will then be considered for funding in your participant plan.
Feedback
Providing Feedback
SWEP welcomes feedback about the services it provides, including compliments, suggestions and complaints. Constructive feedback tells us what you value about SWEP and the work we do, as well as helps us to identify areas for improvement.
How do I provide feedback?
Feedback can be provided in the following ways:
- Fill in a feedback form available from our website or contactSWEP and we can send the form to you.
- Call our Customer Service line on 1300 PH SWEP (1300 747 937) or (03) 5333 8100. If you require an interpreter, or have a hearing or speech impediment, we can assist by accessing the Victorian Telephone Interpreting & Translating Service or National Relay Service.
- Write to us at: P.O. Box 1993, Bakery Hill, Vic 3354
- Email us at
- Send a fax to 03 5333 8111
If I make a complaint will I be disadvantaged in future dealings with SWEP?
Should you make a complaint it will be handled discreetly and you will not be disadvantaged in further interactions with us. SWEP values all feedback because we are committed to constantly developing our service and complaints helps us to identify areas for improvement.
Will my complaint be responded to?
If you have a complaint, it will be responded to as quickly as possible. To help us respond quickly and effectively, we ask you to:
- Tell us if you need help in giving your feedback or complaint - we can source an interpreter or speak to someone authorised to enquire on your behalf.
- Give us as much specific detail about your situation as you can.
- Treat our staff with courtesy and respect.
We are committed to taking all feedback seriously and acting promptly to resolve any issues. SWEP reserves the right not to respond to messages which contain abuse, inflammatory statements, or material clearly intended to intimidate.
What happens if I am unhappy with the result of the complaint?
Where we are unable to resolve a complaint to your satisfaction, we will explain why and let you know what other options are available to you.
The Disability Services Commissioner (DSC) can also respond to complaints about Victorian disability services including those provided by the Department of Health & Human Services. Information about the DSC's independent complaints process is available on their website
How to contact SWEP:
AddressP.O. Box 1993
Bakery Hill BC Vic 3354
Website
Phone 1300 747 937 - Press Option ‘0’
(1300 PH SWEP)
Fax 03 5333 8111
If you need an interpreter service please call: 131 450
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