“Just claim it back on expenses”

[cs98127634]

I’m a care worker and I have to pay for things for work and claim them back on expenses. Usually this is just the cost of mileage, parking etc.

I have just been asked to go and do a full food shop on Friday (pay day) and pay for this myself and then claim it back on expenses. This means I won’t get paid this back for a full month.

I really don’t get paid very much and this will be a lot of money to me. Would it be unreasonable/unprofessional for me to say no? I could really do with some advice about how to handle this situation.

Can you just say that you don’t have the money?

Also depending on how the money is paid back (e.g. just added to next pay packet) wouldn't you be paying tax on that amount twice? Once on the money you spend on the shop from you last pay check, then again when you get the next pay check with the added amount?