How to Maximise Your Short Term Accommodation Funding

In the world of support services, few things are more frustrating than discovering you’ve left allocated money unspent at the end of your plan year. Worse still, learning you were eligible for respite funding that you never even knew about. Strategic planning and awareness can help ensure you utilise every dollar of respite funding in your NDIS budget effectively. Here’s how to make the most of your allocation and avoid common pitfalls. 

Understand Your Eligibility and Hidden Funding 

Many participants are unaware that they’re eligible for STA/Respite funding because it’s often not listed as a specific line item in their plans. This funding is one of the most overlooked benefits. 

• Check your NDIS Plan: When reviewing your plan, check or ask for assistance to see if includes “Core Supports”  

• Look beyond line items: Your Respite allocation might be included under broader categories like “Assistance with Daily Life” or “Flexible Support Funding” rather than being explicitly named. 

• Request a detailed breakdown: Ask for a complete breakdown of all available funding categories and their potential uses to identify Respite allocations. 

• Check eligibility criteria: Even if not initially included, you may be eligible for Respite funding through supplementary requests if you or your care recipient meet certain criteria. 

Know Your Plan Timeline 

The most important factor in maximising your Respite funding is understanding exactly when your plan year begins and ends. Many recipients lose funding simply because they weren’t aware of their deadline. 

• Mark your calendar: As soon as you receive confirmation of your funding, immediately note the plan end date in your calendar with reminders set 3 months, 1 month, and 2 weeks before expiration. 

• Understand renewal processes: Don’t assume automatic rollovers. Some Core Supports operate on a “use it or lose it” basis, meaning unspent funds may not carry over to the next year. 

• Track spending progress: Set up quarterly reviews of your Respite usage to ensure you’re on track to utilise all funds before the deadline. 

• Counting the days: Remember you can access 28 days STA per year, usually at up to 14 days at a time.  

 

Plan Proactively, Not Reactively 

Waiting until the last minute to use your funding often leads to hasty, inefficient spending decisions. 

• Create an annual spending forecast: Map out anticipated needs throughout the year, identifying peak demand periods and potential gaps. 

• Establish spending milestones: Aim to use 25% of your funding each quarter to maintain steady utilisation. 

• Identify priority needs: Create a prioritised list of respite services that deliver the highest value for you or your care recipient. 

Strategic Scheduling to Stretch Funding 

One effective way to maximise the impact of your Respite funding is to be strategic about when you schedule services. 

• Utilise weekday services: Weekend and public holiday respite support often incurs penalty rates, meaning your funding doesn’t stretch as far. Schedule routine respite during standard business hours whenever possible. 

• Book in advance: Last-minute respite requests may cost more or be subject to urgent service fees, reducing your funding’s purchasing power. 

Don’t Leave Money on the Table 

Unspent Respite funding represents missed opportunities for support and relief. 

• Budget review: If you consistently find yourself with excess funding at year’s end, your initial budgeting process may need adjustment to better reflect actual respite needs. 

• Request guidance: If you’re unsure about appropriate ways to utilise remaining funds, contact MediStays. We can often provide suggestions based on your specific situation. 

The Potential Impact of Unused Funds 

Beyond simply missing out on services, consistently leaving Respite funding unspent can have broader implications: 

• Future allocation adjustments: Funding bodies may reduce your future allocations based on historical usage patterns. 

• Program evaluations: Underutilisation of funds may trigger plan reviews or additional oversight. 

• Missed opportunities: Every dollar unspent represents support, care relief, or resources that could have benefited you or your care recipient. 

Final Thoughts 

Effective management of Respite funding requires awareness, planning, and strategic scheduling. By understanding your plan timeline, creating a proactive spending strategy, and making cost-effective scheduling decisions, you can ensure that every dollar allocated serves its intended purpose. 

Remember: these funds were designated to provide essential breaks for carers and care recipients. Proper utilisation isn’t just about “spending money” – it’s about accessing the full support you’re entitled to receive.