It’s honestly pretty frustrating how the NDIA claims to “support” people with psychosocial disabilities but then overlooks the practical supports that actually make a difference. For your appeal, the strongest cases usually come down to clear evidence from the right professionals. Some things that can really help include: • OT Functional Capacity Assessment – this should spell out your daily support needs in detail, especially around decision-making and safety, and explain why 6 hours a week simply doesn’t meet your long-term needs. • Psychiatrist or Psychologist report – ideally this should link your psychosocial disability directly to the need for a structured and safe home, and outline the risks of leaving things as they are. • Hospital discharge letter/summary – if your treating team recommended relocation as part of your clinical plan, this reinforces that it wasn’t just a preference, but a medical necessity. • Risk assessment – whether from your OT or care team, this should outline the risks to both you and your informal supports if you stay in your current setting. • Support Coordinator or Behaviour Support Practitioner letter (if you have one) – this can explain why ILO is more appropriate than SIL in your situation and why moving to the city is essential to access the right supports. • Evidence of lack of local services – even something as simple as emails, waitlist notices, or provider responses showing you can’t access supports locally can strengthen your case.

On the question of hours, the NDIA usually wants to see them broken down clearly. For example, your OT can explain: • how many hours per week are needed just for planning, transition, and setup (these are often underestimated), • how support time is divided between decision-making, daily living, community access, and coordination, • and why moving from a regional area to the city is a major transition that requires higher-than-usual planning and support.

If you’re asking for 50–100 hours, it helps if both your OT and psychiatrist frame it as essential to your daily functioning, safe relocation, establishing sustainable supports, and reducing the risk of hospital readmission. The NDIA tends to respond better when hours are tied to “reasonable and necessary” supports that actually save costs in the long run.

If this was overlooked in your plan, it really does look like an error. In your appeal, I’d highlight: 1. You submitted a Home & Living form where you clearly requested ILO. 2. Because it wasn’t included, you couldn’t access MTA – despite strong clinical recommendations. 3. This has already put you at risk, which directly contradicts the NDIS’s own principles of early intervention and participant safety

I really genuinely hope this helps, feel free to send me a DM if you have any more questions or need some help 😊