Supported Independent Living (SIL) is funding for the help you need with everyday tasks in your home. It is about the support, not the house itself. SIL often suits people who need help most days, sometimes around the clock, and who may live with others in a shared arrangement.
What SIL pays for
- Help with daily tasks like cooking, cleaning and personal care.
- Support to build skills such as budgeting, shopping and using transport.
- Overnight or 24/7 support where it is assessed as reasonable and necessary.
- Supervision and help to stay safe and well at home.
SIL is not the same as SDA
This trips a lot of people up. SIL is the support. SDA is the dwelling.
- SIL (Supported Independent Living): funds the people who help you in your home.
- SDA (Specialist Disability Accommodation): funds a specially designed home for people with very high needs.
You can have SIL without SDA. Many people receive SIL support in an ordinary rental or family home.
Is SIL right for you?
SIL tends to suit people who need a higher level of daily support. If you only need a few hours of help here and there, other supports under Core funding may fit better. The right answer depends on your goals, your needs and how much support you use day to day.
How to explore SIL
- Be clear about how much help you need on a typical day and night.
- Talk to your support coordinator or a provider about whether SIL fits.
- Make sure your goals around independent living are written into your plan.
Good to know. SIL funding is based on the support needs of everyone in a shared home, so the mix of housemates can affect how it is calculated.
How AFT Care can help. Our Accommodation and Tenancy support helps you find a suitable home, understand your tenancy and settle in. Talk to us about whether SIL or another support suits your situation.