Looking for Supported Independent Living (SIL) or Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) can be a challenge. Learn everything you need to know right here.

An easy-to-follow guide to get you started.

Are you a person with disability thinking about moving out of the family home? Or support a person with disability who is about to take that step?

Afford is here to help.

And we get this can be a tricky and confusing time so we’re going to walk you through the basics in this handy How To series.

Make a list

Finding the right place for you takes a little bit of thought. To keep everything clear, make a list of what a happy home looks like for you.

Keep it handy so you can add anything extra if you think of it.

Where to live

First thing to think about is where you want to live.

You’ll most likely want to be near your work, family and friends.

You’ll also want to be able to get to your favourite shops, activity centres, parks and so on.

Don’t forget any medical specialists you visit.

And finally public transport access. Is there a train or light rail stop nearby? A bus stop? Reach out to a friend, family member or us if you need help with this.

What you need

You want a home where you feel happy, safe and supported. Have a think about what looks like for you and add it to your list.

What kind of accessibility features do you need? Ramps and wide doors and hallways perhaps?

How about supports?

Are there specific amenities you need to feel comfortable?

Next, think about how much support you will need from staff when it comes to tasks and transport.

What it costs

Another big thing to consider is your budget and how you will support yourself. Supported Independent Living is a NDIS support package that lets you live with other people with disability, or on your own. If you don’t have NDIS SIL funding, we can help you apply.

NDIS packages don’t cover rent or boarding costs. But you can pay for these with your Disability Support Pension, Commonwealth Rent Assistance or other income you might have. Another thing – you don’t have to have a government-approved funding package to get started. You can pay for supports yourself while you wait for approval of a funding package.

This is a lot to get your head around so if you need advice and support, we’re just a phone call away.

If you’re looking for Part Two of our How to Look for Supported Independent Living (SIL) or Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) Guide you can find it here.

Afford’s services

Afford is one of Australia’s largest and most established disability service providers. We deliver a range of quality, rights-based services and community connection for our clients. Tap this link to find out more.

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