SDA Eligibility

At Enliven Housing, our specialists are here to expertly guide you through every phase of the SDA journey, including the eligibility process, so you can live your best independent life.

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Applying for an Enliven Housing apartment

Our mission is to provide premium and tailored SDA apartments with effective tenancy support to more Australians with disability. To be eligible to live in one of our apartments, you need to:

Want to live alone, or share with a family member or friend (your choice).
Be willing to commit to being part of a Community Cooperative.
Be willing to share some support.
Be willing to use Assistive Technology.
Be willing to live in an apartment complex.
Be an NDIS participant.
Have adequate support funding to enable you to live alone safely and contribute to the on-site shared support where necessary.
Have approved SDA funding for High Physical Support or Fully Accessible or Improved Liveability, for one person, one bedroom, apartment living.
Be over 18 years old.
Can afford to pay rent - 25% of your Disability Support Pension, plus 25% of your pension supplement and 100% of your Commonwealth Rent Assistance.

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Frequently asked questions

What is SDA funding for?

Specifically, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) funding covers the cost of your housing and any necessary maintenance for your housing. You will be required to pay a reasonable rent contribution, as well as regular expenses like food and bills. Your reasonable rent contribution will amount to 25% of your Disability Support Pension, 25% of your Pension Supplement, and the full amount of Commonwealth Rent Assistance.

Who pays for SDA and who receives it?

f you've been assessed as eligible for SDA funding, the NDIS will make SDA payments on your behalf to your registered SDA provider. These payments are meant to cover the cost of your housing and any required maintenance expenses for your housing.

Can you appeal a decision not to grant you SDA funding?

If the NDIS denies your request for SDA funding or a specific type of SDA, you have the option to request a review from the NDIA. You must do this within three months after receiving a written decision from the NDIA. In your request, explain why you believe the decision is incorrect and provide any supporting evidence that could lead them to reconsider. The NDIA may change their decision and issue a new one.

If the NDIS review does not rule in your favour, you can take further action by appealing to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) to have them reconsider the decision.

What additional expenses should you consider beyond SDA funding?

In addition to SDA funding, you should also budget for the following expenses:

Utilities, including:
- Electricity
- Gas
- Water
- Internet Service Provider (ISP)
- Phone (if not provided by the ISP)

Home furnishings and equipment.

Groceries, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and other consumables.

Medications and healthcare expenses.

What are the SDA design categories?

The SDA (Specialist Disability Accommodation) design categories encompass Improved Liveability, Fully Accessible, and High Physical Support. These categories define the level of accessibility and support features in housing for people with disabilities, ranging from basic adaptations to advanced, specialized accommodations tailored to individual needs.