Managing and reviewing a plan
What Happens When Funding Runs Low
Act early if your funding looks unlikely to last the full plan or the current funding period.
Check the balance
Confirm which support category and funding period is running low.
Find the cause
Review your schedule, rates, invoices and provider claims.
Ask for help early
Speak to your Plan Manager, Support Coordinator or my NDIS contact before it runs out.
Plain language guide
The detail, broken into useful sections.
Read the sections that matter to you. The content has not been shortened or changed, only organised so it is easier to scan.
Key information
Running low does not create more funding
Your funding needs to last the full plan and each funding period. Running low does not automatically mean the NDIA will add more — the right response depends on why it is happening.
Step 1: Check your current funding
Using the portal, my NDIS app or your Plan Manager report — total approved, which budget and category, the current funding period, amount used, amount available, when the next period begins, and any unpaid invoices not yet showing. Make sure you are looking at the right category.
Step 2: Review claims and invoices
- Provider names and dates of service
- Hours or quantities claimed
- Rates charged, including weekend and public holiday rates
- Travel and cancellation charges
- Supports you did not receive
- Duplicate claims
- Claims made from the wrong category
Step 3: Review your support schedule
Work out the expected cost of remaining services — regular hours, weekend and public holiday rates, provider travel, participant transport, cancellation charges, therapy or report costs, and the weeks remaining. You may need a temporary change so spending stays within what is available.
Do not cancel essential supports without considering your health, safety and continuity needs.
Why it may be happening
Services costing more than expected, more supports used than budgeted, weekend or public holiday rates, travel and cancellation charges, incorrect or duplicate claims, claims from the wrong category, increased needs, a change in circumstances, funding not yet available in the current period, unpaid invoices hiding the true balance, or the original funding no longer matching your needs.
If essential supports are at risk
Contact your my NDIS contact, Support Coordinator or recovery coach, Plan Manager, providers, and your family or informal network. Develop a temporary safety and continuity plan while the funding issue is sorted. Call 000 if someone is in immediate danger.
SCL Support Services
What SCL can help with
SCL can:
- Explain SCL invoices and claims
- Provide copies of service records
- Correct an identified SCL invoicing error
- Provide an estimate of future SCL service costs
- Review the current SCL support schedule
- Discuss available service changes
- Work with your authorised Plan Manager or Support Coordinator
- Assist with continuity and risk planning
SCL cannot guarantee services will continue when no funding or alternative payment arrangement is available. Any service change will be discussed with you and managed according to your Service Agreement and safety needs.
Official information
This page explains things in plain language. The NDIS is the authority on the rules, and they change. Check the official pages for the current position.
Last checked: August 2026
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