In this day and age, meal preparation and food delivery services have become more and more popular among NDIS participants. Aside from the efficiency and cost-saving benefits in accessing these services, these can also support a person with disability, especially those who can’t shop, cook, or even clean up after preparing a meal by themselves.
During the pandemic, these services can also help provide COVID-safe ways to manage these important household tasks. But at what point will the NDIS help fund these services?
When can I get NDIS funding for food preparation and meal deliveries?
- Eligible participants should have core support funding specifically the “assistance with the cost of the preparation and delivery of meals” (item numbers: 01_022_0120_1_1 or 01_023_0120_1_1).
- Only the cost of food preparation and delivery can be funded, and not the actual cost of the food. Food are considered day-to-day living costs that are not caused by a disability, hence are not funded.
- These can be great alternatives as well in cases where support workers can’t assist them in shopping and meal preparations.
- Please note that meal preparation and delivery supports will be evaluated if they are “reasonable and necessary” against the NDIS Funding Criteria.
In the past, participants needed to submit quotes first for the preparation and delivery of their meals. This process alone can take weeks before getting their NDIS funds approved.
But as of 1 March 2022, as per the updated Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits document, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) will no longer require quotes in order to fund these services.
Which other meal prep and food delivery services are not funded by the NDIS?
The NDIS does not fund meal preparations and food deliveries that are not related to your disability. They also won’t fund those that are purely related to medical issues, such as:
- weight loss
- food allergies
- diabetes
- cardiovascular (heart) disease
- kidney disease
- polycystic ovary syndrome
- irritable bowel syndrome
In these instances, you may want to seek support from the health system or through mainstream supports instead.
As a general rule, the requested support will be funded by the NDIS if the support needed:
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is related to your disability needs
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will help with your individual goals and aspirations
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will help your social and/or economic participation
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will provide value for money
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is effective and beneficial for you
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helps to maintain your informal support
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is a responsibility of the NDIS to fund
If you have any questions about NDIS plan management, please call us at 1800 63 63 77 or email us at info@ndsp.com.au. Register for Plan Management Sign Uptoday!
