:format(webp))
I remember seeing my high school’s production of the musical Oliver! and learning that food is meant to be glorious. But within the NDIS space, food is more than buffets of meats, grains, dairy, fruits and vegetables. Obtaining funding for food and nutritional supports is a complex undertaking.
At DSC, we often get asked questions about what meal preparation and nutritional supports can be funded by the NDIS. This article will aim to put all the answers in one place. So, let’s look at the different food preparation, nutritional supports, and nutritional supplements, and when they can be funded by the NDIS.
Does the NDIS fund meal preparation? And what’s included?
Support to assist with meal preparation can be funded under the NDIS. Under section 23 of the transitional NDIS Supports lists (which define NDIS supports), it is described as “Supports that provide assistance with essential household tasks that a participant is not able to do themselves because of their disability… This includes the following: (a) meal preparation and delivery.”
Meal preparation refers to the time and labour to cook a meal or assist someone in preparing a meal.
But the NDIS will not fund the cost of the food itself. The transitional Rules detail supports that are “…groceries: including all food, beverage, cleaning, household and health products” cannot be claimed through the NDIS.
Can meal delivery services be funded?
The transitional Rules say that ‘fast food services, takeaway food and food delivery platforms’ are generally not NDIS supports. However, there is an exception for ‘Meal delivery platforms where the food and ingredient component can be separately identified from the meal preparation and delivery components.’
Meal delivery services that support NDIS participants must provide NDIS-specific invoices that separate the cost of the food (paid by the participant) from the cost of the meal preparation and delivery (paid by the NDIS). Some meal delivery providers will say on their website that they provide these receipts, but if you are unsure, it’s worth asking. This is also clarified in the NDIA’s frequently asked questions about the 2024 legislation changes.
Does meal preparation need to be a stated support?
Meal preparation and delivery doesn’t have to be stated in a plan. If it is reasonable and necessary for the participant, it can be purchased flexibly from their core funding budget.
What nutritional supports can the NDIS fund?
Nutritional supports are ‘Disability health-related supports’, designed to assist participants to maintain their health and wellbeing through support to manage their diet.
Nutritional support can take many forms, including:
- A qualified dietician creating a nutritional plan for a participant.
- A registered nurse or support worker to administer Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) feeding, or Home Enteral Nutrition (HEN) formula.
- A dietician to train support workers or informal supporters on how to use these items.
However, the NDIA are also specific about food and nutrition supports they will not fund. These include supports to assist with weight loss, eating disorders, food allergies, or health-related symptoms relating to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, renal disease, irritable bowel syndrome, or polycystic ovarian syndrome. These types of supports are classified as the health system’s responsibility.
What nutritional supplements and products will the NDIS fund?
As mentioned above, food is considered an everyday living cost and is not funded by the NDIS. However, the NDIS can fund specialised products and supplements if a person’s disability means they can’t meet their nutritional needs through food and drink.
Some examples of nutritional supplements are products the NDIS might fund include:
- PEG or HEN formulas
- equipment and maintenance that enables PEG or HEN administration, including enteral feeding tubes, pumps, feed bags and bottles, syringes, and giving sets to put formula into feeding tubes.
- modified foods such as liquid thickener (which can assist a participant in digesting and swallowing food safely).
How can a participant access funding for nutritional supplements and products?
To access this funding, the participant must provide evidence from an allied health professional, such as a dietician. The evidence must include a nutrition plan and explain how these supports suit the participant’s individual nutrition needs. The participant must also provide evidence from a qualified health professional.
If the participant has dysphagia, or has trouble swallowing, they may qualify for thickener products. Allied health professionals must use a nutrition and dysphagia assistive technology assessment template to apply for this funding from the NDIA.
Can the cost of food at Short Term Accommodation and respite be funded through the NDIS?
Frustratingly, despite the recent attempt in the legislation to clarify what is and is not an NDIS support, there are still some uncertainties.
Under Section 5, Assistance with daily life tasks in a group or shared living arrangement, part (b) includes “…supports for short term accommodation (STA) and respite…” can be funded in a participant’s plan.” Traditionally, STA has covered the cost of meals during the participant’s stay in the short term accommodation arrangement. However, as mentioned above, food and groceries are listed as supports not covered by the NDIS. Therefore, confusion still exists on whether food and groceries are considered to be an NDIS funded support in STA arrangements.
After this deep dive, I’m ready to line up like Oliver and ask for more (details, please). In the meantime, writing this is starting to make me feel hungry…
Artwork by Helen Maysey
