A guide to NDIS assistance with daily life

Sometimes, we need a hand with everyday tasks so we can achieve greater independence. That's what "Assistance with Daily Life" (also known as ADL) is all about.

This NDIS support category falls under Core Supports, the most flexible support budget. It's also 1 of the 5 support categories that you can use to access Like Family's professional daily life support services.

In this article, we'll explain what NDIS Assistance with Daily Life (ADL) is, how it differs to similar Capacity Building supports, what's covered and what's not covered, as well as practical examples of activities and how Like Family can help you access this vital support.

What is Assistance with Daily Life (ADL)?

NDIS Assistance with Daily Life (ADL) covers supports and services that help you manage daily personal activities connected to your disability needs, so you can live as independently as possible. This Core Support category provides funding for both hands-on assistance and supervision for tasks you cannot safely complete on your own due to your disability.

ADL support covers everything from short term accommodation to a support worker's assistance with meal preparation and personal care.

Your Assistance with Daily Life NDIS funding can be used for support at your home, out in the community or a bit of both — it depends on you and your needs.

How ADL differs from capacity building daily living supports

You'll notice there's a support category under Capacity Building called "Improved Daily Living". Although the names are similar, these two NDIS categories have distinctly different purposes.

NDIS Assistance with Daily Life (ADL) relates to ongoing assistance with everyday tasks that you wouldn't be able to do easily by yourself due to your disability, like showering, cleaning and accessing the community. These supports are essential for helping you maintain a safe, happy and healthy lifestyle.

On the other hand, Improved Daily Living (Capacity Building) focuses on helping you build independence and learn new skills, so you are less reliant on support services in the future. For example, you may work with a support worker to learn how to use public transport independently.

What does NDIS Assistance with Daily Life cover?

Your ADL NDIS funding covers a huge range of activities. What you get funding for will ultimately depend on what is reasonable and necessary to support your individual needs. These services and supports can include:

Personal care support

• Help with showering, bathing and personal hygiene
• Assistance with dressing and grooming
• Support with toileting and continence care
• Help with eating and drinking
• Medication supervision and reminders

Household and domestic support

• Help with household tasks such as cleaning, vacuuming, and tidying
• Laundry services and linen management
• Basic yard work and gardening
• Home maintenance tasks related to your disability needs

Community access and transport

• Transport to help you get out and about in the community
• Accompaniment to appointments and social activities
• Support to access public transport
• Assistance with grocery shopping and errands

Specialised living arrangements

• Supported independent living (SIL) coordination and support
• Short term accommodation (respite care)
• Sleepover support and overnight assistance
• 24-hour support for high-need participants

Meal and nutrition support

• Meal preparation and cooking assistance
• Meal planning and dietary management
• Assistance with feeding for those with physical limitations

Keep in mind that the cost of these services depends on factors like location, day, time of day and level of support. For example, hiring a support worker will generally be more expensive on Sundays than Mondays.

What Assistance with Daily Life does not cover

Understanding what your ADL NDIS funding doesn't cover is just as important as knowing what it does cover. There are several things that you cannot use your NDIS funding for as part of Assistance with Daily Life:

Day-to-day living costs

• The cost of food and groceries. This means you can use your funds to hire a support worker to help with meal prep, but not for the ingredients themselves.
• The cost of cleaning and household supplies such as detergent, cleaning products, and toiletries. Similarly, your NDIS funds won't cover the cost of things like laundry detergent or cleaning wipes.
• The cost of personal items that are not related to your disability, such as cosmetics, toiletries and general hygiene products.

Recreation and entertainment

• Ticket prices for events such as movies, concerts, or sports events. You can hire a support worker with your ADL funding to accompany you to a museum, but your NDIS funding won't cover the entry fee. A Companion Card can help cover the cost of your support worker's ticket if the venue accepts it, though.
• Costs for recreational activities and hobbies.
• Holiday and travel expenses not related to your disability.

Housing and accommodation costs

• Rent, mortgage payments, and utility bills.
• General home maintenance not related to your disability.
• Property modifications (these may be covered under other NDIS categories).

If you're unsure whether your NDIS plan covers a certain service or support, talk to your Support Coordinator or Local Area Coordinator.

How to check if ADL is in your NDIS Plan

It's easy. Just head to your myplace portal and search for ‘Core Supports -Assistance with Daily Life’ in your plan. You can also talk to your Plan Manager if you're unsure.

Don't forget: NDIS core support funding is flexible and can be used for all four core support categories.

Why Choose Like Family for Your NDIS ADL Support?

Thinking about hiring a support worker to help you with everyday personal tasks? Like Family makes accessing your ADL NDIS funding simple and stress-free!

Like Family is an NDIS registered provider specialising in social and community support. We have a network of over 3,000 active, NDIS-verified support workers who are passionate about empowering NDIS participants to increase their independence and live life to the fullest.

Your ADL support options with Like Family

You can use your NDIS Assistance with Daily Life funding with us to get help with:

• Meal preparation and cooking assistance tailored to your dietary needs.
• Household tasks and gardening to keep your home safe and comfortable.
• Grocery shopping and errands to maintain your independence.
• Transportation to appointments, social activities, and community events.
• Community access support to help you engage with your local area.
• Overnight and sleepover support when needed.
• And much more!

Why families choose Like Family for ADL support

• Our hourly rates are below the NDIS price guide for 1:1 social supports, so you can get more hours out of your budget.
• No price negotiations required - transparent, fair pricing.
• Experienced, NDIS-verified support workers who understand disability support.
• Flexible scheduling to suit your routine and preferences.
• Comprehensive matching process to find the right support worker for you.

Ready to get started? Learn more about how you can maximise your NDIS ADL funding with Like Family.

If you'd like to learn more, contact our friendly Customer Care team at hello@likefamily.com.au

Frequently Asked Questions About NDIS ADL Support