Who is ILO for?

Could an ILO Work For You?

If you are thinking you will be ready to move into your own home within one to two years, then now is the time to start exploring ILO as a way of achieving that goal. Don’t wait until your housing need is urgent!

Some people do not want an ILO, and that is okay. You can use your Core Support budget flexibly to meet your support needs or consider alternatives such as Supported Independent Living (SIL).

You may prefer to explore ways you can live independently without relying on funded support from NDIS.

ILO funding is often recommended by the NDIS when someone is looking at creative ways of implementing support such as housemates or a Host family arrangement, when they want to look at options outside of the traditional ‘group home’ model, or when they don’t need 24/7 care.

If you currently use your Core Support budget flexibly to meet your support needs while at home, and it’s working well for you, you do not need to turn this into an ILO. Be aware that if your Core Support budget continually increases with each plan, or reaches a threshold set by the NDIS, they may recommend you consider an ILO as a way of introducing more flexible innovative supports that are not paid according to an hourly rate and therefore could be more cost effective.

If you find you do not have enough funding in your Core Support budget to meet your needs in your home, the NDIS may ask you to explore the option of an ILO.

If you are someone who requires 24-hour rostered/paid support, an ILO may not be suitable for you as the annual cost will likely exceed the upper limits for ILOs.

The NDIS does not have eligibility criteria for who can access an ILO.

But they do suggest who an ILO is best suited for:

• People with disability who are 18 years old or over. However, if you are 17 years old and planning ahead for moving out when you turn 18, you can start the ILO process in particular the Exploration and Design stage.
• People who need at least 6 hours a day, of help at home
• People who are ready to start exploring their home and living needs and preferences, and are ready to consider potential options for moving
• People who are willing to invest time and effort towards creating a future home arrangement of their own
• People who may have informal supports, family or friends as part of an ILO support arrangement