Avoiding a Funding Cut
Why NDIS funding sometimes drops at reassessment and how to protect your supports: showing ongoing need, refreshing evidence, and linking supports to goals.
The fear of losing funding is one of the most stressful parts of a reassessment. The good news is that a lot of what protects your supports is within your control. This guide explains the common reasons funding sometimes drops, and the practical steps that help you show ongoing need and keep the supports you rely on.
Reassessment is not designed to cut funding
Why funding sometimes drops
Showing ongoing need
Handling progress and unspent funds
If your funding still drops
Frequently asked questions
Does a reassessment usually reduce funding?
No. A reassessment is meant to make your plan fit your needs, not to cut it. If your needs are the same or greater, the aim is for your plan to reflect that. Clear, current evidence helps protect your supports.
Why might my funding go down?
Common reasons include old or thin evidence, supports that look disconnected from your goals, unexplained unspent funding, or progress described in a way that makes needs look lower. Most of these are avoidable with preparation.
Will spending less than my plan hurt me?
It can, if the underspend looks like a support was not needed. If the real reason was a waitlist or trouble finding a worker, explain that. Context turns an underspend from a warning sign into an explanation.
How do I show my needs are ongoing?
Refresh your reports so they describe current function, make clear which needs are ongoing, and connect each support to a goal. Evidence for a Reassessment and Setting Goals for Your Reassessment cover this in detail.
Should I hide my progress so my funding is not cut?
No. Be honest about progress, but pair it with the supports that made it possible and what you still need to maintain it. Context stops progress from being read as needing less support.
What can I do if my funding is cut anyway?
You can ask for an explanation, provide further evidence, and use the review pathways available if you believe the decision is wrong. Keep your supports steady meanwhile, and lean on your support coordinator or LAC for help.