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Meals, Food and Grocery Related Supports

Updated

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding for supports related to meals, food, and groceries, however, it’s essential to understand what is and isn’t covered. The following information is to provide you with examples of what the NDIS may fund. 

It’s important to note that this is only a guide to assist you make an informed decision. Only your My NDIS Contact, an NDIS Delegate, or the explicit written information in a current NDIS plan serves as the source of truth. The NDIS considers requests based on whether the support is related to your disability and whether it meets the NDIS Reasonable and Necessary Guidelines.

What Does the NDIS Commonly Fund?

These are supports that are usually funded without extensive evidence if the relevant Support Category is included in your plan.

Meal Preparation and Delivery

  • ✅ Support to help you eat or drink safely if your disability affects this ability.
  • ✅ Assistance to prepare specific foods you can safely consume.
  • ✅Help to develop cooking skills to increase independence (if this aligns with your plan goals).

Sometimes Funded by the NDIS – Evidence Required

These supports may be funded, but require additional evidence to show they are disability-related. Your Plan Manager can help you navigate the compliance requirements. It is recommended you have evidence of this support in a NDIS plan or My NDIS Contact consent to minimise your financial risk. 

Meal Preparation and Delivery

  • ⚠️ Use of meal delivery services where the food cost is separate from the preparation and delivery cost.
  • ⚠️ Low-cost adaptive or modified kitchen utensils that help with safe food preparation.

Sometimes Funded by the NDIS – Written Approval Required

These supports are only funded with written approval from the NDIS or if specifically included in your plan.

Food and Groceries

  • ⚠️ Modified foods, including liquid thickeners for swallowing difficulties, if required for disability-related health needs.

Meal Preparation and Delivery

  • ⚠️ Low-cost assistive technology to assist with feeding and swallowing.

What is Not Funded by the NDIS?

The NDIS does not fund general day-to-day living costs. The following items are not eligible for funding:

Meal Delivery and Preparation

  • ❌ Fast food, takeaway, and general meal delivery services where the food and preparation costs are not separated(e.g., Uber Eats, Hello Fresh, DoorDash, frozen meals).
  • ❌ General kitchen appliances (e.g., blenders, Thermomix, food processors) unless they are adaptive or disability-specific.
  • ❌ Standard kitchen utensils that are not modified.

Food and Groceries

  • ❌ Regular groceries (all food and beverages) are considered day-to-day costs.
  • ❌ Lifestyle-related items including weight-loss products, vitamins, sports supplements.

Your Responsibilities as an NDIS Participant

To ensure your supports are funded and compliant:

✅ Know Your Goals: Ensure that any support you purchase contributes to the goals outlined in your NDIS plan.

✅ Understand Budget Categories: Each plan category has specific rules—spend accordingly.

✅ Be Aware of Stated Supports: If your plan specifically states certain supports, stick to them.

✅ Know Funding Periods: Be mindful of how your funding is allocated across timeframes.

✅ Comply with NDIS Guidelines: All purchases must align with the Reasonable and Necessary Guidelines.

When in doubt: Speak with your Plan Manager or My NDIS Contact to confirm if a support is claimable.

Helpful Resources

To learn more, visit: Kismet Healthcare – NDIS Supports

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