Woman’s NDIS funds slashed
Support cut by almost $15,000
A BELL Post Hill woman who has lived with crippling pain for decades has launched an appeal against an NDIA decision to strip her of thousands of dollars in funding.
Marilyn Pollard blames fibromyalgia and a spinal injury for the agony she has endured for years and some mental health issues associated with it.
But she blames the NDIA for fuelling further anxiety and stress by cutting her funding by almost $15,000.
On her best days she loves tending to her large garden, but when the pain reaches its worst she struggles to move independently.
Ms Pollard, who has been an NDIS client since 2014, initially believed the scheme would change her life.
“I thought it was wonderful,” she said.
Instead, Ms Pollard is now fighting the agency in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal appeal over cuts to the care funding she receives.
Ms Pollard has repeatedly questioned the NDIA’s decision to ignore medical evidence of her physical ailments and only fund treatments for her mental health issues
Letters from the NDIA indicate Ms Pollard is only funded for her mental illness, with her fibromyalgia regarded as a medical condition rather than a disability.
“Now I have to fight for everything,” Ms Pollard said.
Ms Pollard supplied documents to the Geelong Advertiser showing the single mother attends the Epworth Pain Matrix for regular treatment for conditions including neural impingement and secondary pain. Letters from her GP show the 63-year-old is unable to drive due to pain and fatigue.
On November 13, 2017 Ms Pollard was approved for a $29,677.57 plan to be reviewed in May 2018.
The plan documents — seen by the Addy — show Ms Pollard was allocated $800 for transport, more than $5000 for support co-ordination and more than $20,000 for core supports including two hours a day of domestic support and three hours a month of house and yard maintenance.
Ms Pollard claims this funding ran out after four to five months and said she advocated for increased funding during her May review.
This request was not granted and instead her funding was slashed.
Documents show Ms Pollard’s new plan allows her to access $15,049.50 and just $4785.21 in core support — funding that has already been used after just five months.
“Due to my experiences with the organisations which have required me to prove and defend my need for support time and time again, I have experienced overwhelming stress and anxiety which is impacting my health further,” Ms Pollard said.
An NDIA spokeswoman said the agency would continue to work with Ms Pollard to ensure she receives all reasonable support identified in its health assessment.
“The NDIA cannot comment on Ms Pollard’s case further as it is before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal,” the spokeswoman said.
It is understood plans are reviewed regularly to ensure participants have the right supports in place to achieve their goals.