HCP vs CHSP: Understanding Meal Funding Options
Whats' the difference between and Home Care Package (Support at Home) and the Government and the Commonwealth Home Support Program when it comes to accessing home delivered ready meals?
This is a common questions and one that trips up a lot of people navigating aged care meal services. We agree, its not easy!
This is our understanding of the difference between the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) and Home Care Packages (HCP) or new Support at Home (SAP) programs when it comes to accessing home-delivered ready meals like those from We Feed You:
Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)
Think: Entry-level support for older Australians.
-
Target group: People aged 65+ (or 50+ for First Nations) who need a little extra help to stay independent at home.
-
Meals access: You can access subsidised meals, but you will need to contribute a co-payment — usually the cost of the food itself (the "ingredient cost").
-
Subsidy is paid directly to the provider of the CHSP, not the person receiving care.
-
You generally cannot choose your own provider freely – it must be someone the local council or CHSP-approved provider partners with.
-
We Feed You is not automatically covered under CHSP unless we’ve partnered with a local provider or council who has funding to supply our meals. Speak to your provider to ask.
📝 If you're under CHSP and want to access We Feed You meals, it usually requires coordination through an approved intermediary or through a Home Care Package (JCP).
Home Care Packages (HCP) soon to be Support at Home (SAP)
Think: Tailored, higher-level support. You’re in the driver’s seat.
-
Target group: Older Australians with more complex or ongoing needs.
-
Meals access: Ready-made meals like We Feed You can be partially funded from your package (depending on budget and your package).
-
You may still pay a co-payment of 30% as an out-of-pocket expense, but the 70% can be covered by the package.
-
You choose your provider, including meal suppliers like We Feed You. So speak with your HCP provider and request We Feed You.
-
Funds are managed by your case manager or provider, and meals can be arranged to suit your preferences and dietary needs.
We Feed You meals are approved for many HCP clients. Just chat with your case manager to set it up - we’re happy to help with the paperwork.
And good news: The new Support at Home program (launching 1 Nov 2025) will follow similar principles, aiming to give you more control, flexibility, and access to providers you trust.
Quick Comparison
Feature
CHSP
HCP / Support at Home
Level of support
Entry-level
Coordinated, ongoing
Eligibility
65+ (50+ First Nations)
65+ (50+ First Nations)
Meal funding
Subsidised, co-pay required
70% funded, 30% co-pay (typically)
Provider choice
Limited to approved partners
You choose (e.g. We Feed You), discuss with your plan manager
Flexibility
Less flexible
Highly flexible
Still confused? Let’s chat.
Our team is happy to discuss this with you with no pressure, no jargon. Just real food and real support.
📞 Call us on 1300 853 239 or 0435 199 513
Visit our Support at Home page to learn more.
Whats' the difference between and Home Care Package (Support at Home) and the Government and the Commonwealth Home Support Program when it comes to accessing home delivered ready meals?
This is a common questions and one that trips up a lot of people navigating aged care meal services. We agree, its not easy!
This is our understanding of the difference between the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) and Home Care Packages (HCP) or new Support at Home (SAP) programs when it comes to accessing home-delivered ready meals like those from We Feed You:
Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)
Think: Entry-level support for older Australians.
-
Target group: People aged 65+ (or 50+ for First Nations) who need a little extra help to stay independent at home.
-
Meals access: You can access subsidised meals, but you will need to contribute a co-payment — usually the cost of the food itself (the "ingredient cost").
-
Subsidy is paid directly to the provider of the CHSP, not the person receiving care.
-
You generally cannot choose your own provider freely – it must be someone the local council or CHSP-approved provider partners with.
-
We Feed You is not automatically covered under CHSP unless we’ve partnered with a local provider or council who has funding to supply our meals. Speak to your provider to ask.
📝 If you're under CHSP and want to access We Feed You meals, it usually requires coordination through an approved intermediary or through a Home Care Package (JCP).
Home Care Packages (HCP) soon to be Support at Home (SAP)
Think: Tailored, higher-level support. You’re in the driver’s seat.
-
Target group: Older Australians with more complex or ongoing needs.
-
Meals access: Ready-made meals like We Feed You can be partially funded from your package (depending on budget and your package).
-
You may still pay a co-payment of 30% as an out-of-pocket expense, but the 70% can be covered by the package.
-
You choose your provider, including meal suppliers like We Feed You. So speak with your HCP provider and request We Feed You.
-
Funds are managed by your case manager or provider, and meals can be arranged to suit your preferences and dietary needs.
We Feed You meals are approved for many HCP clients. Just chat with your case manager to set it up - we’re happy to help with the paperwork.
And good news: The new Support at Home program (launching 1 Nov 2025) will follow similar principles, aiming to give you more control, flexibility, and access to providers you trust.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | CHSP | HCP / Support at Home |
|---|---|---|
| Level of support | Entry-level | Coordinated, ongoing |
| Eligibility | 65+ (50+ First Nations) | 65+ (50+ First Nations) |
| Meal funding | Subsidised, co-pay required | 70% funded, 30% co-pay (typically) |
| Provider choice | Limited to approved partners | You choose (e.g. We Feed You), discuss with your plan manager |
| Flexibility | Less flexible |
Highly flexible |
Still confused? Let’s chat.
Our team is happy to discuss this with you with no pressure, no jargon. Just real food and real support.
📞 Call us on 1300 853 239 or 0435 199 513
Visit our Support at Home page to learn more.