Ipswich Meals On Wheels has received record funding, bringing the amount the provider receives per meal above what the organisation had asked the Government for.

In July Ipswich Meals On Wheels (IMOW) submitted a business case to the Department of Health and Aged Care seeking an increase in the subsidy provided per meal to the organisation and at the same time, handed back more than $86,000 in funding already allocated by the Federal Government to IMOW in Social Support Individual funding.

The Department had been working with the organisation to understand IMOW’s costs to help make efficiencies to reduce the meal contribution price set by IMOW.

Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said the $86,000 relinquished by IMOW would be reallocated back to IMOW for meals services.

“This takes the level of annual funding for IMOW from $479,088 in 2022-23, when the Albanese Labor Government came into power, to $899,215 in current funding,” Mr Neumann said.

Earlier this month, the Albanese Government announced a $37 million cost of living boost for more than 500 aged care meals providers under the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP). IMOW received an immediate $70,912 boost as part of the additional funding announced.

The additional funding follows increased funding already delivered to IMOW as part of increases to CHSP funding indexed each year to meet the growing demand for services. Since the Albanese Government was elected, funding for meal providers through the CHSP has increased by over 16%.

“With the additional $86,000, Ipswich Meals On Wheels is now receiving a higher subsidy per meal than they asked for in their submission for increased funding in July,” Mr Neumann said.

“This has been achieved through working closely with the IMOW manager and Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells to ensure the organisation’s funding keeps pace with their expansion and the population growth in the western corridor.

“Organisations like Ipswich Meals On Wheels want to support as many older people to stay independent, healthy and connected as possible, and the Albanese Government’s increases in funding will help them do just that.”

Total figures for Ipswich MOW’s CHSP agreement:

Where a client needs meals services, they are encouraged to contact My Aged Care as the single-entry point to accessing aged care services. My Aged Care can assist with finding available CHSP Meals providers in their local area.

The CHSP grant subsidises the cost of a meal for an eligible client. Clients are still required to contribute to the cost of a meal where they can afford to do so.

Meals providers, including Meals on Wheels, will have financial hardship provisions available as part of their client contribution policy to support people who cannot afford to pay for meals.

My Aged Care can be contacted on 1800 200 422 (free call) between 8am and 8pm weekdays and between 10am and 2pm on Saturdays.