If cooking has become a challenge due to injury, illness or the effects of ageing, DVA meal preparation services can help. These supports make it easier for eligible veterans to enjoy regular, healthy meals without the physical strain of preparing food from scratch.
At AusVeterans, we understand that independence and wellbeing start with the basics, and that begins with having healthy meals available every day. For many veterans, preparing food can become difficult due to injury, illness or the effects of ageing. That is where DVA-funded meal preparation services can help.
Through the DVA Household Services program, AusVeterans provides veterans with flexible options for meal support:
- Ready-made meal delivery through our partnership with Lite n’ Easy
- In-home meal preparation assistance, where a support worker helps prepare, portion or cook meals in your kitchen
With AusVeterans, you do not need to worry about the paperwork, phone calls or managing providers. We coordinate everything with DVA and our trusted partners so you can focus on enjoying your meals in comfort.
Why DVA Meal Preparation Service Matters
Mental Wellbeing
Veterans often face unique challenges both physical and psychological. Meal preparation support is designed to:
- Remove the daily stress of meal planning, shopping, cooking and cleaning
- Free up time and energy to focus on recovery, rehabilitation, relaxation and family
- Support independence and confidence at home
Physical Health
Preparing meals can be tiring and physically demanding. Our service helps to:
- Minimise the strain of standing for long periods, lifting or bending
- Reduce the risk of accidents in the kitchen
- Ensure you can maintain good nutrition even if you cannot cook from scratch
Nutritional Benefits
Through Lite n’ Easy, veterans have access to a wide range of dietitian-approved meals that:
- Are portion-controlled for health and energy
- Cater to different dietary needs and preferences
- Are frozen for convenience, freshness and easy reheating
If you choose in-home support, your meals can be prepared to suit your dietary requirements and stored safely for later use.
AusVeterans & Lite n’ Easy Partnership
AusVeterans is proud to partner with Lite n’ Easy, Australia’s largest ready-made meal provider. This partnership ensures veterans receive nutritious, balanced meals while AusVeterans manages every part of the process.
Here is how it works:
- All orders are placed through AusVeterans, you do not need to contact Lite n’ Easy
- You pay a 30% co-contribution directly to AusVeterans
- DVA covers the remaining 70% of the approved meal cost
- Meals are delivered directly to your home
- If you are home, you may see Lite n’ Easy at delivery time, otherwise AusVeterans manages all communication on your behalf
- Feedback and changes are handled by AusVeterans so you always deal with a team that understands veterans’ needs
In-Home Meal Preparation Option
Some veterans prefer assistance with meal preparation in their own kitchen. This may include:
- Preparing and portioning meals for the week
- Storing meals safely in your fridge or freezer
- Helping with cooking instructions
- Ensuring food meets your dietary needs
In this option, DVA funds the labour of the support worker. Veterans are responsible for purchasing ingredients.
How the DVA Meal Preparation Service Works
1. Eligibility and Approval
You must first be approved for Meal Preparation under DVA’s Household Services program. AusVeterans can guide you through this process to make sure everything is completed correctly.
2. Set Up Your Service
Once approval is in place, we will arrange a phone appointment with our Household Services Team. During this call we will explain your options, which may include Lite n’ Easy delivery, in-home preparation, or a combination of both.
3. Ordering Made Easy
If you choose Lite n’ Easy, we will help you select your meals, place the orders and manage your delivery schedule. If you choose in-home preparation, we will arrange a support worker to attend your home on suitable days to prepare and portion meals with you.
4. Co-Contribution Payment
For Lite n’ Easy, you pay 30% of the meal cost directly to AusVeterans and DVA funds the remaining 70%. For in-home preparation, you are responsible for purchasing the ingredients while DVA funds the labour cost of the support worker.
5. Delivery and Preparation
Lite n’ Easy meals are delivered frozen so they are ready for you to reheat at your convenience. If you choose in-home preparation, your meals will be cooked or portioned by the support worker and then stored safely for you to enjoy later.
6. Ongoing Support
AusVeterans stays in contact to make sure your meal support continues to meet your needs. If your circumstances change, we will work with you and DVA to update your services accordingly.
Who Is Eligible?
- You may be eligible for DVA-funded Meal Preparation Services if:
- You hold a DVA Gold Card or a White Card with an accepted service-related condition
- You have difficulty with meal planning, preparation or cooking
- You live at home (not in residential aged care)
- There is no one in your household who can reasonably help with meals
All applications are assessed by DVA. AusVeterans will support you with the process and ensure all paperwork is completed.
Other DVA Household Services AusVeterans Can Help With
Meal support is just one of the services available through the DVA Household Services program. AusVeterans can also assist you in accessing:
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Basic home upkeep and safety-related maintenance
We handle everything so you can focus on your wellbeing.
Looking for Veterans Meals on Wheels?
Many people search for veterans meals on wheels when trying to find reliable, home-delivered meals for themselves or a loved one. While the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) does not provide a traditional Meals on Wheels service, eligible veterans may receive similar support through the DVA Household Services program.
With AusVeterans, we coordinate DVA-funded meal preparation services, including ready-made meal delivery through Lite n’ Easy or in-home support, to help you maintain a healthy diet and live independently at home.
Frequently Asked Questions about DVA Meal Preparation Services
If you choose Lite n’ Easy, you do not need to buy ingredients. The cost of food is already included in your 30% co-contribution. If you use the in-home preparation service, you will need to purchase the ingredients yourself, while DVA covers the cost of the support worker’s labour.
Lite n’ Easy meals are delivered in their own packaging, so no extra containers are required. For in-home preparation, you may need to provide suitable storage containers so that meals can be safely stored in your fridge or freezer.
If you are unhappy with the meals you receive or the support worker who assists you, contact AusVeterans directly. We will work with you to resolve the issue and liaise with the provider on your behalf.
For Lite n’ Easy meals, AusVeterans will manage your menu updates and adjust orders to suit your preferences. If you are using the in-home preparation service, you can change what is cooked by providing different ingredients or outlining your preferred meal choices to the support worker.
Lite n’ Easy delivery days depend on your location. Once your service is set up, our team will confirm the available delivery options with you.
No. This program is available to veterans of all ages who experience difficulties with meal preparation. It is focused on supporting independence, recovery and wellbeing, not just aged care.
Not exactly. While many people search for meals on wheels for veterans, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) does not provide a traditional Meals on Wheels service. Instead, eligible veterans may access DVA-funded meal delivery through AusVeterans, which offers similar convenience with the added benefit of meals tailored to individual dietary needs and health conditions.
This support is part of the Veterans’ Home Care program and is available only after DVA assessment and approval.
Let’s Get Your DVA Meal Preparation Support in Place
Contact AusVeterans today to get started. Our team will confirm your eligibility, guide you through the DVA application process, arrange the right meal preparation service for your needs, and provide ongoing support to make sure everything continues to work for you.
Note: All services are subject to DVA assessment and approval. Eligibility criteria must be met.
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