Reaching the age of 65 can bring a lot of changes in our lives, including changes in healthcare needs and support requirements. It’s the age where you become eligible for government funded aged care services (although it’s 50 years old for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people). It’s also the age where you can no longer apply for the NDIS.
What do you do if you’re already on the NDIS? Do you lose the NDIS at age 65? In this blog, we’re answering some of those common questions.
What is the NDIS age cut off?
The NDIS cut off is 65. To be eligible, you must be younger than 65 on the day you apply. That means the form needs to be received and accepted by the NDIS at least one day before your 65th birthday.
If you’re older than 65, you need to check whether you are eligible for funding through My Aged Care.
Do you lose the NDIS when you’re over 65?
No, you don’t automatically lose the NDIS at 65. If you’re already an NDIS participant, you can continue to receive your NDIS funding, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria.
If you were already living in aged care before 65, you can choose to stay in the NDIS after you turn 65.
However, if you start to receive aged care funded services like Support at Home, you will need to leave the NDIS. Similarly, if you decide to go into aged care after turning 65, you will need to leave the NDIS and receive your funding through My Aged Care.
Should I stay with the NDIS over 65 or move to Support at Home funding?
This all depends on your disability, when it first appeared in your life and the level of support you need.
Type of support provided
The type of support each system provides differs significantly in focus and scope. The NDIS delivers specialised disability supports, including therapies, assistive technology, and home modifications tailored to your specific disability needs.
In contrast, Support at Home is better suited for managing age-related decline, addressing frailty, and providing care that focuses on the general challenges of aging rather than specific disabilities.
Funding and financial differences
One of the most significant differences lies in how these systems operate financially. NDIS funding is generally non-means-tested, meaning your income and assets don't affect your funding allocation, and you maintain greater control over how your funds are used to meet your individual goals.
Support at Home operates differently, with some services being income-tested, which may require you to make a personal contribution to some of your services, based on your financial situation.
Choosing which option is right for you
Your choice should ultimately depend on where your primary support needs lie. You may consider staying with the NDIS if:
- Your disability requires complex, specialised equipment or therapy.
- You need high-level customised support that aged care cannot replicate.
- Your support needs remain primarily disability-related rather than age-related.
If you’re not sure whether the NDIS or Support at Home would work for you, reach out to us at Five Good Friends.
Our team are experts in home care and disability supports, and navigating both NDIS and My Aged Care funding. We can talk through your circumstances and come up with the best solution for your needs. Give us a call.
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