Many NDIS participants wonder if they can get meals delivered and whether the NDIS will pay for them. The answer is yes in some cases, but the NDIS will only fund certain parts of the cost.

This guide explains exactly how NDIS food delivery services work, what is covered, what is not covered, and how you can access this support.

The NDIS will not pay for the cost of the food itself. This is considered a daily living expense that everyone is responsible for.

The NDIS may fund:

• The labour cost for preparing your meals
• The cost of delivering meals to your home

This support is available if your disability makes it difficult or impossible for you to prepare meals yourself, and it is considered reasonable and necessary under your NDIS plan.

NDIS-registered meal providers such as Lite n’ Easy, Tender Loving Cuisine, My Muscle Chef and others can invoice your NDIS plan for the preparation and delivery portion of your meals.

They will split the invoice into:

• Food cost – paid by you.
• Preparation and delivery cost – it might be eligible under your NDIS Core Supports budget.

If your plan includes Core Supports – Assistance with Daily Life, your support worker can:

• Help you shop for groceries
• Assist you with meal preparation and cooking at home

To have meal preparation and delivery covered by the NDIS, you generally need:

• Evidence from a GP, occupational therapist or allied health professional stating why you are unable to prepare meals yourself
• Core Supports funding in your NDIS plan

• Plan-managed participants: The meal provider invoices your plan manager for the preparation and delivery portion
• Self-managed participants: You pay the full invoice and then claim the preparation and delivery cost back from the NDIS
• You always pay the food portion yourself

• The NDIS funds preparation and delivery costs, not the cost of food
• Services must be linked to your disability and be reasonable and necessary
• You need the correct budget category and supporting evidence in your plan

At Help at Hand Support, we help NDIS participants navigate the process of organising meal preparation and food delivery services. We can:

• Connect you with NDIS-approved meal providers who split their invoices correctly
• Arrange support workers to assist with shopping and cooking at home
• Help you understand what’s covered in your Core Supports budget
• Provide Plan Management services to handle payments and ensure the preparation and delivery costs are claimed correctly

Our goal is to make sure you have access to healthy, convenient meals without the stress of figuring out the NDIS rules on your own.

Tip: Always check with your NDIS plan manager or support coordinator before signing up for a food delivery service to ensure invoices are correctly split between the NDIS portion and your portion.