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Applying for support
Currently, individuals can apply for Department of Communities - Disability Services (DS) services and individualised funding programs through the DSQ Application for Support.

To be eligible to receive funding under the Disability Services Act 2006 a person must have a disability that;

1. Is attributable to an intellectual, psychiatric, cognitive, neurological, sensory or physical impiarment or combination of  impairments. The impairment may result from an acquired brain injury; and
2. Results in a substantial reduction of the person's capacity in one or more of the following areas: Communication; Social interactions; Learning; Mobility; and Self Care/Management.

The disability may be, but need not be of a chronic episodic nature.

Who is eligible to receive services?
The Eligibility Policy further narrows down who is eligible to receive services.
According to this policy, applicants MUST meet the following criteria:

1. The person is one of the following

1. An Australian citizen;
2. A permanent Australian resident;
3. A temporary Protection Visa holder;
4. A New Zealand Citizen who arrived in Australia prior to 26 February 2001; or
5. A member of a family on a work or study visa sponsored by Australian Government

AND

2. The person lives in Queensland

AND

3. Has a disability that is attributable to an intellectual, psychiatric, cognitive, neurological, sensory or physical impairment or a combination of impairments.

AND

4. Results in substantial reduction of the person's capacity in one or more of the following areas:

1. Communication;
2. Social interaction;
3. Learning;
4. Mobility; or
5. Self care/management

A substantial reduction of the person's capacity refers to a severe or profound activity restriction in at least one of these five life domains. A severe or profound restriction is found where the person sometime or always needs help or supervision in one of these domains.

AND

5. Results in the person needing support.

Support refers to the needs for a significant and ongoing level of disability support. Disability support is defined as one of the following specialist disability services: accommodation support, community access, community support, respite or advocacy. Disability Services funded or provided services do not include nursing care or other medical intervention.

AND

6. Is permanent or likely to be permanent (and may or may not be of a chronic episodic nature).

Permanent or likely to be permanent refers to the irreversible nature of the disability, even though it may fluctuate in severity over time - that is, it may be of a chronic episodic nature. For example, the affects of an acquired brain injury may vary over a person's lifetime, or a person with a psychiatric disability may have periods of mental illness and other periods where their condition is stable. A person will be eligible if their underlying disability is permanent or likely to be permanent and they meet all of the other eligibility criteria.

The disability will not be considered permanent where there is a need for specific health services for a defined period following physical trauma or the onset of an acute episode of illness. A person in this situation may only become eligible for disability support services once their medical needs have considered to be permanent and therefore are not considered to be a disability, for example, Attention Deficit Disorder / Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD).

Note: The impact and persistence of ADD/ADHD is highly variable across individuals. As such, there is not sufficient evidence to conclude that under the current legislation, people with ADD/ADHD could be recognised as having a disability. People who have ADD/ADHD and a coexisting disability may receive services from Disability Services provided or funded services provided they meet the seven eligibility criteria;

AND

7. Manifest itself before the age of 65

Note: The eligibility procedures which accompany this policy statement clarify that where in the case of a child less than 6 years old the child has a significant development or is at risk of a significant development delay they will be eligible provided they meet all other eligibility requirements.

If eligible, what happens next?

Once it is determined that you can receive Disability Services Queensland funding, the department will make a referral to a non-government service provider in your regional area. It, in turn will assessed:

1. Your compatibility with current service recipients (for shared service only);
2. The service provider's capacity to meet the individual's needs; and
3. The support models and arrangements for the individual.

For additional information about the Application for Support, contact the Disability Information Service;

Phone: +61 7 3224 8444
1800 177 120 (toll-free within Australia)

You can also contact your local Disability Services regional office. You can find their numbers in your local Phone Directory.

NOTE: This information has been provided from the Disability Services website