Can a Home Care Package pay for my groceries, rent, or electricity?
Generally, no. Support at Home is not designed to pay ordinary household costs such as rent, electricity or the normal cost of groceries. It may fund approved assistance with meal preparation, shopping or meal delivery, but you usually remain responsible for the food itself.
Key points
- Ordinary rent, utilities and grocery costs are generally excluded.
- Approved help with shopping or meal preparation may be covered.
- Confirm the rules before spending funding.
Government aged-care funding must be used for approved care and support services, not everyday living expenses that everyone normally pays.
Rent, utility bills, general groceries and unrelated personal purchases are therefore usually excluded.
There can be an important distinction between paying for food and paying for help. For example, approved support may cover a worker helping with shopping or preparing meals, while you pay for the groceries.
Explore only what you need
Start with the sections that feel useful now. You can come back to the others later.
01Guide sectionWhat should I do next?
Ask your provider to explain whether a proposed expense is an approved service, a participant contribution or a normal personal cost before agreeing to it.
02Guide sectionHelpful Local Home Help resources
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