NY S00348

Establishes a home delivered meal assistance program requiring services to be provided to eligible persons currently on waiting lists who are not receiving services due to inadequate funding.

Establishes eligibility criteria requiring applicants to be age 60 or older, incapacitated due to accident/illness/frailty, lacking family/friend/neighbor support, and unable to prepare meals safely.

Allows spouses of eligible elderly persons to receive services regardless of age if deemed in the best interest of the homebound elderly person.

Requires area agencies to assess all referrals and requesters using standardized procedures consistent with Office for the Aging guidelines, with documented follow-up and reassessment.

Requires designated agencies to report to the director of the Office for the Aging on waiting list numbers, local funding contributions, and timing of state funding expenditure.