The Australian government has maintained its commitment to supporting National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) members in the regions affected by the aftermath of ex-Tropical Cyclone (TC) Jasper.
Hon. Bill Shorten, minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), has confirmed that the NDIA is working closely with regional, state, and federal organizations to guarantee the safety of NDIS beneficiaries.
Approximately 7,256 NDIS members live in affected areas in Far North Queensland, and Shorten stressed the government’s dedication to helping them.
“To ensure participants are safe, the NDIA is working closely with relevant agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency and Queensland Emergency Response,” Shorten added. “Part of this process involves coordinating with Mission Australia to schedule welfare calls to guarantee that all participants are receiving the necessary supports. We also prioritize plan reviews for individuals who have an immediate need for assistance, like new assistive devices.”
Shorten brought attention to the fact that the National Contact Center (NCC) has activated a special phone line for affected participants and suppliers.
“The National Contact Center (NCC) of the NDIS is frequently the initial point of contact for participants who need extra help, and this vital service will be enhanced to guarantee that there is a specific phone line for individuals affected by Cyclone Jasper,” he stated. “During this challenging time, I would urge any participant who needs assistance to dial the NCC instead of making the journey to an NDIS office; their personal safety should be the first priority.”
As a main point of contact for participants in need of additional help following ex-TC Jasper, the NCC is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The “insurance catastrophe” declaration for the storms was recently extended by the Insurance Council of Australia from Christmas to the new year.
