12/05/2016
No wonder there is confusion surrounding food allowances! It seems unfair that some carers receive a food allowance where others do not. The truth is there are no rules dictating how much (if any) should be spent on a live in carers food, this means whether you will receive a food allowance during a placement is completely at the discretion of your employer ( company or individual)
Whether a food allowance will be provided is dependent on three factors, the live in care company, the carers requirements and the client package.
Many live in care companies suggest that a food allowance between £30 - £40 per week should be provided by the service user, this is separate from the cost of their care and can be included in their household budget. The amount will be agreed by the client and their representative and should include breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Not all companies have an upper or lower limit, many simply state that it is the services users financial responsibility to provide food for their carer. Meaning the carer does not have a set allowance as such, but the cost of food should been taken care of by the client.
In the circumstance where a service user has a specific diet due to a health problem, for example a soft diet, the care provider can provide the carer with an allowance or request that the service user provide a sufficient budget for the carers food and drink.
Some live in carers are expected to shop and eat with their client, this means giving the clients preferences priority over their own. In this circumstance a live in carer should simply factor in the cost of an added person on the clients weekly budget. If a carer desires additional food which is not usually on the clients shopping list, or if they have special dietary requirements e.g. allergies/ vegetarianism they are expected to pay for this themselves.
In order to suitably pair live in carers and clients, companies often ask their carers to state any dietary requirements they may have , this helps to match clients with carers who have similar lifestyles.
Food allowances can also be treated as an expense, some live in care providers can reimburse carers for money spent on food during a placement.Others also provide their carers with prepaid credit cards, with a balance to cover the weekly cost of food.
Written By
Dani Scott
