Tim's family were heartbroken following the double-amputee's sudden death at 59. Then the NDIS delivered a devastating blow about their home: 'Weeks to leave'

By KYLIE STEVENS, SENIOR BREAKING NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 14:41, 24 July 2026 | Updated: 14:41, 24 July 2026 The grieving widow of a double amputee has been given weeks to find a new home after the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) decided to boot her out of the couple's property following his sudden death. Tim Nielsen, the Australian technical director of the National Hot Rod Association, died from a heart attack at his Sydney home on July 7, just three months shy of his 60th birthday. He became a double amputee after losing both legs in recent years due to diabetes. His NDIS provider recently found a suitable home for him and his family to move into in Sydney's south-west. Mr Nielsen lived in his new home for a month before tragedy struck. His longtime partner Cassandra Richardson was initially given four weeks to find alternative accommodation for herself, her youngest daughter Cheyenne, 18, and three grandchildren who she looks after full-time. The deadline has since been extended by another month until September, as the family prepares for Mr Nielsen's funeral. 'The last thing I want to be doing right now is trying to find another home,' Ms Richardson told the Daily Mail. Tim Nielsen (pictured with his partner Cassandra) died from a heart attack on July 7, aged 59 The long-serving Australian technical director of the National Hot Rod Association had both legs amputated in recent years 'It's not going to be easy. We've already lost the income we had. 'It took the NDIS nine months to find a place suitable enough so we wouldn't be split up as a family.' Ms Richardson needs a minimum four bedrooms to keep the family together and claimed she has so far received little help in finding a new home. Couch surfing with family will be her last resort.  'I am grateful that we now have more time,' Ms Richardson said. 'But 60 days to arrange a funeral, find another place, pack up our belongings and move out while trying to grieve is going to be a challenge. 'The NDIS and real estate should be working with us to help find another home.'  The NDIS extended its condolences to Mr Nielsen's family. Cassandra now has six weeks to find new home for herself, her teenage daughter and three grandchildren (pictured with Mr Nielsen) Tim's death has sent shockwaves through Australia's drag racing community 'The NDIS provides funding for disability-related supports for eligible participants, including Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA),' a spokeswoman told the Daily Mail. 'While the NDIS cannot fund housing for people who are not NDIS participants, individuals may be able to access housing and other supports through state government and community services.' Mr Nielsen and Ms Richardson were together for more than 15 years.  'He was beautiful - I had come out of a domestic violence relationship but he took on me and my four kids, who he treated as his own,' Ms Richardson said. 'He was dedicated to drag racing, where safety was always paramount to him.' Mr Nielsen's death sparked an outpouring of online tributes from the drag racing world across Australia. 'Tim has held this position since 2017 and has been the backbone of IHRA ever since and also carving out his own racing career as a racer for many years, competing in many cars and ultimately enjoying his time in modified Dragster proving his ability as a race car driver,' it wrote. 'Tim has battled illness for the last several years, however, has still been working in his role up to his last days always helping racers with any technical queries they may have had.' A fundraiser has been set up to help cover immediate expenses, secure a new home and provide stability as Mr Nielsen's family try to rebuild their lives. Being a double amputee meant that Tim could receive NDIS assistance Mr Nielsen has been remembered as a devoted partner and father, loving pop, brother, son, uncle and a cherished friend to so many 'His passing has left an enormous hole in our hearts, and we are trying to navigate life without him one day at a time,' the fundraiser states. 'Along with the overwhelming grief of losing Tim, we are now facing another unexpected challenge.  'Because Tim's home was provided through the NDIS, we have been advised that we have to move out. The home we thought would be our forever home is no longer available to us. 'We are doing everything we can to support not only myself and Cheyenne, but also three grandchildren who are in our care. 'Asking for help is never something that comes easily to us, but right now we simply don't know what the coming weeks will bring.'