How to write an NDIS support letter for someone with a disability

If you're assisting a family member or friend with an NDIS application, a carer support letter may help the assessment process

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) may or may not request a support letter from the applicant's primary carer.

Even if it's not requested, providing a written letter that explains the applicant's goals and daily support needs – as well as the impact the caring role has on you – can help with the assessment.

In this blog, we will discuss how to write an National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) support letter, what information to include and where to get help if you need it.

What is an NDIS support letter?

An NDIS support letter is a document written by a support worker or carer to support a person's NDIS application and provide further evidence as to why they need funding.

A support letter should demonstrate the applicant's everyday difficulties and explain how much support and care they need.

If appropriate, the letter can include information about the impact that the caring role has had on a carer.

When is a support letter needed?

A support letter can be requested as part of the NDIS application process. The second part of the NDIS access request form should be filled out by a treating health professional such as a GP, occupational therapist or psychologist.

The NDIA may request additional support letters from medical professionals, support workers or carers as part of the applicant's supporting evidence.

Even if the NDIA does not request additional support letters, providing them can make the application stronger and help in the NDIA's decision-making process.

What do you include in a support letter?

An NDIS support letter needs to demonstrate the impact a person's condition or disability has on their day-to-day life and what level of support they need.

Your written letter should explain:

• Your role and how long you've supported the applicant
• What level and types of support you provide
• How often do you provide support and how many hours a week
• What other informal supports does the applicant have in their life such as family members, friends, carers or services
• How the applicant's health condition or disability impacts their day-to-day life across a number of categories
• 
  

How to write an NDIS support letter

The NDIA uses six categories of daily life in the assessment process, referred to as the six NDIS functional domains In your support letter, you should address all of the relevant categories and use examples where possible.

A common way to structure an NDIS support letter is to go through each of the categories, explaining the functional impact of each category for the applicant.

The categories are:

• Mobility/motor skills
• Communication
• Social interaction
• Learning
• Self-care
• Self-management

If you’d like to understand different categories better, you can get in touch with an NDIS Local Area Coordinator to learn more.

How do you write a carer impact statement?

A carer statement (also called an impact statement) explains the impact caring for the applicant has on the carer or the applicant's family.

It should be written by a person who provides unpaid care or informal care for the NDIS applicant. This can be a parent, sibling, or friend who provides support to the applicant.

You can include an impact statement as part of your NDIS support letter or submit it as a separate piece of evidence.

A carer statement may include information about:

• The mental, physical and emotional impact the caring role has on you and the applicant's family
• Whether you can keep caring for the applicant in the same way in the future
• What extra support and funding will mean for you
• Any other information that might help the NDIS assessment

What not to include in your support letter

When you are writing a support letter, there are a few things you should keep in mind to avoid. It is not necessary to include information about:

• Other health conditions which don't meet the disability criteria
• Symptom management strategies
• Suggestions for support needs in an NDIS plan
• Details about trauma history or abuse

NDIS support letter templates

Reading sample letters can give you an idea of how to write an NDIS support letter yourself.

The exact evidence and examples you use will be different, but a template can help you feel more confident about how much information to provide and how to structure the letter.

Here are some sample letters to get started with:

• Carer Statement by Carers Australia
• Primary Carer's Statement by Reimagine Today
• Mental Health Carer's Statement by Mental Health Carers NSW
• Carer's Checklist by Carers Australia

Where to get support

Whether you are completing an NDIS access request form for yourself or assisting someone else in their application, it can be challenging to navigate the NDIS on your own.

If you need more information about how to write an NDIS support letter, these services may help:

• Call an NDIS Local Area Coordinator
• Visit the Carer Gateway website

Read our other articles about applying for the NDIS:

• What is the NDIS?
• How to access the NDIS
• NDIS eligibility: everything you need to know

APM is here to help

If you're not eligible for the NDIS, we may be able to connect you with supports and services in your local area that are right for you, including finding jobs for people with a disability, injury, or health condition.

To find out more about how we can help you access the support and services best for you, get in touch with us online or call us on 1800 276 522.

About this article

APM supports people with disability, injury, or a health condition through various programs and services across its businesses, including Disability Employment Services in Australia.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

When discussing disability, APM’s copy style is to use person-first language and the social model of disability in the first instance. Some articles may use identity-first language or refer to the medical model of disability for clarity or to better suit a specific audience.

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