Am I Eligible for Disability Support? How to get the Support you Deserve

Illustration of persons living with a disability, surrounded by floating money

Am I Eligible for Disability Support? How to get the Support you Deserve

Living with any type of disability can present significant challenges. Fortunately for us in Australia, there’s two major types of funding support available for essential services and quality of life. These two programs are the Disability Support Pension (DSP), and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). While both provide critical assistance, they cater to different needs.

We’ll explain what these programs are and how to check your eligibility, so you can get the funding support you deserve.

What’s the Disability Support Pension (DSP)?

The Disability Support Pension (DSP) is a government-funded income-like payment that’s designed to assist Aussies who are unable to work due to a permanent physical, intellectual, or psychiatric condition. It’s run by Services Australia and it provides essential financial support to cover everyday living expenses.

What’s the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)?

On the other hand, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a separate government program designed to provide access to services through funding for people with disabilities. Unlike the DSP (which is an income-like payment for living expenses), the NDIS provides funding for a range of services like therapy, care, employment assistance and more. The goal of the NDIS is to help participants (“participants” are those receiving funding) achieve greater independence, access essential care services, and actively participate in the community.

Now that you know the difference between the two major types of funding support available, it’s time to work out what you could be eligible for.

Am I Eligible for the Disability Support Pension?

To qualify for the Disability Support Pension (DSP), you will need to meet both medical and non-medical rules. For example:

Medical Rules: To get the Disability Support Pension (DSP), you will need to meet either manifest medical rules or general medical rules. Manifest medical rules include items such as permanent blindness, terminal illness, intellectual disabilities and more. General medical rules consider items such as the length of a condition, impairment ratings, and similar. Read more about the Disability Support Pension medical rules.
Non-Medical Rules: When it comes to non-medical rules, you will need to meet all rules to get the Disability Support Pension (DSP). These rules include age (over 15 years and 9 months, and under 67), residence (you must be an Australian resident) and income and assets testing. Read more about the Disability Support Pension non-medical rules.

If you qualify for the Disability Support Pension (DSP), you might be interested in how much you can get from the Disability Support Pension. If you don’t qualify for the Disability Support Pension (DSP), you might still qualify for other payments from the Disability Support Pension.

How to Apply: Submit your application online via myGov or in person at Services Australia. Read here for more information about how to apply for the Disability Support Pension.

Am I Eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)?

To qualify for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), you will also need to meet specific criteria:

Age Requirement: You must be between 9 and 65 years of age.
Residency: You must live in Australia and be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or hold a Protected Special Category Visa.
Disability or Early Intervention Requirement:
- You must have a permanent and significant disability that affects your ability to perform daily tasks, such as mobility, communication, or self-care.
- Alternatively, you may qualify for early intervention if your condition is likely to worsen without immediate support.