Eligibility, Screening, and Assessment

Program Eligibility

The following criteria must be met in order to be eligible for the Meals on Wheels Program.

  1. Any individual 60 years of age and older who is frail and Homebound* by reason of illness, disability, or isolation.
  2. A spouse of eligible person, regardless of age or condition, if an assessment concludes that it is in the best interest of the homebound older individual.
  3. An individual with a disability who resides at home with the eligible person if an assessment concludes that it is in the best interest of the homebound older individual.

    *Definition of Homebound:
  • Bed-bound and non-ambulatory.
  • Wheelchair-bound and living alone.
  • Ambulatory, alone and unable to leave home without assistance.
  • Alone and able to leave home with difficulty.

Screening and Assessment

The County and Sourcewise jointly administer the MOW program.

  1. Criteria for Eligibility
    Contractor shall use the following criteria for MOW eligibility.
    1. Person who is 60 years old; AND
    2. Person who is homebound, frail, unable to drive and living alone; OR
    3. Person who is homebound, frail, unable to drive and unable to prepare own meals because of physical and cognitive disabilities and advanced age; OR
    4. Person who is homebound with no one available to prepare meals
    5. Person who is the spouse of a home-delivered meal client, regardless of age or condition, if an assessment concludes that it is in the best interest of the homebound older individual.
    6. Person with a disability who resides at home with an older individual if an assessment concludes that it is in the best interest of the homebound older individual who participates in the program.
  2. Assessment Procedures
    Contractor shall implement the following screening and assessment procedures for MOW eligibility.
    1. Initial Screening and Assessment
      1. Contractor shall conduct initial screening and assessment by completing the MOW Intake for each potential participant.
      2. Initial intake shall be done via phone within one business day upon receipt of referral.
      3. In-home visit shall be done within two weeks of beginning meal service to verify eligibility.
    2. Quarterly Re-assessment
      1. Quarterly re-assessment is required to ensure continued MOW eligibility.
      2. Contractor shall contact MOW participants, quarterly, via phone and/or in-home visit.
      3. Provide at least one in-home visit per year.
    3. Additional Services
      1. MOW participants requiring additional services shall be referred as appropriate.
  3. Age Verification 
    A home-delivered meals’ applicant who appears or is suspect to be under the age of 60, the following would be acceptable means to verify a client’s age.
    1. Age verification of the program applicant should be done prior to enrollment and/or at first home-visit assessment prior to receiving actual HDM services whenever possible.
    2. HDM provider is allowed to ask for I.D. to verify applicant’s age.
    3. HDM provider will not be expected to document the birth date or any other information obtained from the I.D. but may verify that the senior is over 60.
  4. Disqualification Process
    Client responses contrary to the eligible for services questions relating to their health issues, mobile ability, Homebound, and living status may be subjected to disqualification from the MOW program.