Library: Policy
340:105-10-69. Congregate meals service eligibility
Revised 9-15-2021
(a) Policy. Individuals are eligible to participate in the congregate meals service in one of the categories listed in (1) - (2) of this subsection.
(1) Persons eligible to participate in the congregate meals program with an opportunity to contribute to the cost of meals include:
(A) persons 60 years of age and older and their spouses of any age;
(B) persons with a disability younger than 60 years of age who reside with persons 60 years of age and older, when the care and maintenance of the person with a disability otherwise prevents the older person from participating in the program and, when the participation of such individuals does not prevent the participation of older persons and their spouses. The person with a disability must accompany the eligible older participant to the site and must be determined by nutrition project management to pose no threat to the wellbeing of the older participants;
(C) persons with a disability younger than 60 years of age who reside in housing facilities occupied primarily by older persons and where congregate nutrition services are provided, when the participation of such individuals does not pose a threat to the wellbeing of the older participants, and when such participation does not prevent the participation of older persons and their spouses;
(D) persons younger than 60 years of age who provide meal-related volunteer services, when the participation of such individuals does not prevent the participation of older persons and their spouses; and
(E) nutrition program staff members, who are 60 years of age and older, when such participation does not prevent the participation of other older persons and their spouses.
(2) Other persons who may participate in the program but must pay the full cost of meals include:
(A) nutrition program staff members, who are younger than 60 years of age, when such participation does not prevent the participation of older persons and their spouses;
(B) visitors when such participation does not prevent the participation of older persons and their spouses; and
(C) older persons who are in the care of an agency or organization that is receiving reimbursement for the cost of the participant's meal, such as nursing homes, residential care facilities, and adult day care programs. In this situation, the agency or organization is billed for the full cost of the participant's meal. The agency or organization is also responsible for making meal reservations and for providing attendant assistance, as needed.
(b) Authority. The authority for this Section is Section 339(2)(H) and (I) of the Older Americans Act, and Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1321.17(f)(12).
(c) Cross references. Refer to Oklahoma Administrative Code 340:105-10-50.1(a)(7), 340:105-10-51, 340:105-10-68, and 340:105-10-70.
1. Persons listed in this Section (a)(1)(A) through (C) complete the assessment procedures outlined in Oklahoma Administrative Code 340:105-10-70, and the nutrition site's daily reservation process in order to participate in the meal program. Nutrition site volunteers and staff members 60 years of age and older participate in the meal program during regular meal service hours only after the site manager has determined that all eligible participants are served. Staff members younger than 60 years of age and visitors may participate in the meal program only after the site manager has determined that all older persons, their spouses, disabled persons younger than 60 years of age, site volunteers, and staff members 60 years of age and older are served.
