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Meal Preparation & Delivery

Using Your Funding: Meal Preparation and Delivery
Did you know not everyone can buy ready made meals with their NDIS funding? Check to make sure you're covered by reading our guide.

What does the NDIS say?

The NDIS may fund a support worker to help you with shopping and meal preparation. They could also fund you for ‘meal preparation and delivery’ (ready-made meals delivered to you). Claims for ready-made meals must show separate costs for:

  • Food or ingredients
  • Meal preparation
  • Delivery (often shown together with cost of meal preparation)

Meals you buy from the supermarket or fast-food services don’t itemise costs, so can’t be claimed.

You can read general information about meal preparation on the FAQ website. Scroll down to “Can the NDIS fund meal preparation or delivery services?” 

The official guideline is called “Nutrition supports including meal preparation”.

Plan managers also have to follow the information in the Pricing Arrangements Guide. This says that your plan must include meal preparation before you can claim for it.

Can I claim it?

Supports are only claimable if they are “in accordance with your NDIS plan”. You can claim Meal Preparation & Delivery if:

  • It is written into your plan or you have written permission from the NDIS; or
  • Your plan funds you for support workers to help with shopping / meal preparation, and:
    • You have had a short-term disruption in your circumstances. For example:
      • you’ve had to isolate, or
      • your informal supports are reduced, or
      • you’re organising support workers to help you; and
    • You are only going to be using it for a short time.

If you want to have Meal Preparation & Delivery for longer, you need to have it written into your plan. To do this, you must provide evidence (like a recommendation) and ask the NDIS to fund it.

How do I get permission?

Only the NDIS can decide if a support is reasonable and necessary for you. You can request written confirmation that Meal Preparation & Delivery is in accordance with your plan by:

  • Getting in touch with your “My NDIS Contact” as listed on your plan. This may be a planner or LAC.
  • Lodging an online enquiry via the NDIS website or through your NDIS portal.
  • Asking the NDIS via email, calling 1800 800 110 or doing a webchat to request your LAC or a planner consider your request.
  • Presenting evidence as part of your regular plan review. You can also request a change to your current plan, to have it funded.

Once you have written permission, you can send this through to us along with an invoice or receipt. We can then organise payment.

Some suggestions from us

  • Check your plan if it says you can use your funding for “Meal Preparation & Delivery”. If not, get in touch with us before organising a meal delivery service.
  • Check if the service you are using shows the different costs on their invoice. The cost of food has to be separate, as this can’t be claimed.
  • Some providers will ask you to pay the portion you are responsible for (food / ingredients) up front. They then invoice us for the rest. Others will ask you to pay the entire bill and we reimburse you for the preparation & delivery portion. Check with your provider.
  • Keep track of how short-term Meal Preparation & Delivery support is helping you. You’ll need evidence to have this funded long term in future plans.

More Questions?

As always, feel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions.

Email: accounts@ontimeplanservices.com.au
Phone: 03 5446 5400
Text: 0429 800 482