3 Things to Look Out for When Choosing your Plan Manager

There’s a variety of businesses that offer Plan Management services, ranging from bookkeeping firms, to disability service providers and specialist organisations. No matter what kind of Plan Manager you want, there are three qualities to look for that make a big difference:

1. Trust: Firstly, you need to be able to trust your Plan Manager to take care of your NDIS budgets, offer you independent advice and be completely open with you about how budgets are tracking.

2. Expertise: Your Plan Manager should be an expert in the NDIS and know all its ins and outs, so they can give you valuable advice on how to get the most out of your NDIS funds

3. Understanding: Finally, you need to know your Plan Manager is driven by a desire to help you get the most out of your NDIS Plan and that they will go above and beyond to understand and support you through your NDIS journey.

With these three things in mind, you can start to explore your options a little closer.

Your Plan Manager Checklist

Once you have a sense of the Plan Managers you might like to use, it’s time to take a closer look at what features and services each is offering. The best way to do this is by checking their website or just giving them a call, and use this checklist:

Customer Service:

• Do they have a simple, online sign-up process?
• Do they offer multiple ways to contact them?
• If you call them, do they take time to have a chat with you, understand your needs and give you clear information?

Payment & Budgets:

• Do they provide you with an online tool and monthly overview for you to track the status of your NDIS budget?
• Are they clear about their invoice payment process, including their payment times?
• Can you track the status of your invoices online?
• Can they secure your budgets with agreed Service Providers to protect you against overspending?

Expertise:

• Are they specialised in NDIS Plan Management or is it one of the many things they do?
• Do they have a background in financial services and the disability sector, or just one of these?

Don’t Rush

Given Plan Management can help you unlock the full potential of your NDIS Plan, it’s worth taking your time to ensure the Plan Manager you choose is right for you and your situation. Taking the time to think about what you need will help you choose a Plan Manager you are happy with and can build a positive relationship with.