If you’re living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), you already know how unpredictable it can be.
Some days are manageable. Other days, fatigue, mobility changes, pain, or cognitive fog can make simple tasks feel overwhelming. Planning life around something that doesn’t follow a straight line is hard enough and the last thing you need is the NDIS adding more stress.
The NDIS funds supports based on how your MS impacts your daily life, not just your diagnosis. What matters most is your “functional capacity” which describes what you can and can’t safely do.
Here’s what that can look like in your plan.
What NDIS Funding Can You Receive with Multiple Sclerosis?
Your funding is based on how MS affects your mobility, daily living, communication, cognition and independence.
Most participants with MS will have funding across three areas:
Core Supports
Capacity Building Supports
Capital Supports
Core Supports for MS
Core funding covers everyday help to live your life safely and independently.
This can include:
Personal care (showering, dressing, toileting)
Help with meal preparation
Cleaning and household tasks
Support workers for community access
Transport funding if you can’t use public transport independently
Consumables like continence products
These supports fall under recognised NDIS categories such as Daily Personal Activities, Household Tasks, Participation in Community, Social and Civic Activities, Transport, and Consumables .
For many people with MS, fatigue is one of the biggest barriers. Core funding can help conserve energy so you can use it for work, family, or the things that matter most to you.
Capacity Building Supports for MS
Capacity Building funding focuses on maintaining or building independence.
With MS, this isn’t always about improvement. Often, it’s about slowing decline, maintaining mobility, or preventing secondary complications.
Capacity Building funding may include:
Physiotherapy
Occupational Therapy
Exercise Physiology
Speech Therapy (if speech or swallowing are affected)
Psychology
Dietetics
Support Coordination
These fall under categories such as Therapeutic Supports, Exercise Physiology and Personal Well-being Activities, Support Coordination, Improved Daily Living Skills and Improved Health and Wellbeing .
Therapies are commonly included in MS plans to support balance, strength, mobility and fatigue management.
Capital Supports: Equipment and Home Modifications
Capital funding covers equipment and home modifications.
MS can affect mobility and strength over time, so your plan may include:
Walkers, wheelchairs or mobility scooters
Bathroom modifications
Handrails and ramps
Hoists
Adjustable beds
Assistive technology
Vehicle modifications
These are recognised under categories such as Personal Mobility Equipment, Assistive Products for Personal Care and Safety, Home Modifications, Vehicle Modifications and Assistive Technology .
Capital budgets are usually allocated for specific items and are not flexible like Core funding.
What You Cannot Spend NDIS Funding On
This part can feel frustrating, especially when everyday costs increase because of your condition.
The NDIS does not fund:
Rent or mortgage payments
Groceries
Electricity, gas or water bills
General gym memberships
Standard furniture
Holidays or travel
Prescription medications
General health treatment
These are considered everyday living or health system costs .
A simple way to think about it:
If it’s something everyone pays for, it’s usually not funded.
If it’s directly related to your disability support needs, it might be.
If you’re unsure, it’s always better to check with your Plan Hero Plan Manager before spending.
What If Your MS NDIS Funding Isn’t Enough?
MS symptoms can change over time. Some plans don’t fully account for increasing fatigue, falls risk, progression, cognitive changes, or needing more hours of support.
If your funding doesn’t match your needs, you can take action.
Step 1: Gather Evidence
Ask your:
Neurologist
GP
Physiotherapist
Occupational Therapist
to provide reports that clearly explain:
Your functional limitations
Safety risks
Fatigue levels
Expected progression
The NDIA makes decisions based on functional impact.
Step 2: Request a Plan Reassessment
You can request a review if:
Your condition has changed
Your supports are no longer sufficient
You are at risk without increased support
You don’t always need to wait until your plan ends if your needs have significantly changed.
Step 3: Appeal If Necessary
If you disagree with a decision, you can:
Request an Internal Review
Apply to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) if needed
Strong, clear evidence makes a real difference.
How Plan Management Can Help with MS
Living with MS is enough without managing invoices and budgets as well.
If you’re plan-managed:
We pay your providers on time
We track your budgets carefully
We help you understand what you can and can’t claim
We monitor your spend rate so you don’t run out unexpectedly
Plan management is funded under Management of Funding for Supports . It does not reduce your other funding.
Plan Managers do not coordinate therapy or manage clinical care. That’s the role of a Support Coordinator. However, with your consent, a Plan Manager can contact your GP or hospital clinic to request documentation required for funding claims and clarify invoice details if needed.
Our team will always reference your file and history, so you don’t need to repeat your story each time you call.
National MS organisations
- MS Australia (national peak body): Information, education, advocacy, research, and pathways to local services.
State and territory MS organisations
- MS Plus (ACT, NSW, VIC, TAS): Support, information, peer connection, and services (including NDIS-related support in some areas).
- MS Queensland: Support services, information, peer groups, and referrals across QLD.
- MSWA (Multiple Sclerosis Western Australia): Supports and services for people living with MS in WA.
- MS Society SA & NT: Information and support for people living with MS in SA and NT.
Peer support and community connection
- Peer support groups (often run through state MS organisations): Options may include in-person groups, online groups, newly diagnosed groups, young adult groups, and carer groups.
- Local self-help and community groups: Informal groups in some suburbs/regions that focus on connection, shared experience, and practical tips.
Other helpful Australian support services
- Healthdirect Australia: Reliable health information and service navigation.
- Disability Gateway: Government service to help people with disability find supports and services.
- NDIS: If eligible, supports can include personal care, capacity building therapies, assistive technology, and home modifications (based on functional impact).
Online communities
- Shift.ms: Online peer community for people living with MS (not Australia-specific, but widely used).
Ready to Make the NDIS Simpler?
If you’re living with Multiple Sclerosis and you’re tired of second-guessing your funding, tracking invoices, or worrying about running out of budget, it’s time to make a change.
Join Plan Hero and let us handle the admin side of your NDIS plan so you can focus on your health, your family and your life.
Switch to Plan Hero today and experience plan management that’s clear, calm and practical.
