Older
Americans Act
Frequently Asked Questions
about the Older Americans Act
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- For what time period is the Older Americans Act reauthorized?
The 2000 amendments authorize the Older Americans Act for 5
years; i.e., through the year 2005. This will allow time for
the changes to be fully implemented, tracked, and results reported
back to Congress prior to the next authorization.
- Have any titles of the Act been deleted or consolidated?
The seven titles from the 1992 reauthorization remain intact,
however, two previously unfunded Parts, Title III-E (Additional
Assistance for Special Needs of Older Individuals), and Title
III-G (Supportive Activities for Caretakers Who Provide In-Home
Services to Frail Older Individuals), along with the previous
Title III-D, In-Home Services for Frail, Older Individuals,
have been consolidated into Title III-B. In addition, a new
Part E, the National Family Caregiver Support Program has been
added. Title VI-C creates a caregiver support program for Native
American elders.
- What are the authorization levels for the separate titles
of the Act?
The authorization levels are set at “such sums as may be necessary
for FY 2001 and for each of the 4 succeeding years” for all
services under the Act with two exceptions. An authorization
of $125 million is provided for the first year of the National
Family Caregiver Support Program, and such sums as may be necessary
are authorized for each of the 4 succeeding years. Five million
is authorized for the Native American Caregiver Support Program,
Title VI-C, in FY 2001, and such sums as may be necessary for
the succeeding years.
- What is the state/local match for the various Older Americans
Act programs?
The state/local match for the National Family Caregiver Support
Program is 25%. A match of 15% is maintained for other Title
III services, as is the 25% match requirement for state and
local administrative activities.
- Have the objectives of the Act changed?
The reauthorization retains the ten original objectives of the
Act. These objectives address the inherent dignity of older
people, and the duty and responsibility of the federal, state,
and tribal governments to insure such dignity. They articulate
the transcendent values and the fundamental vision which are
the work of the Administration on Aging and the aging network.
- Do the new amendments have provisions for a White House
Conference on Aging?
Yes, the amendments include authority for a White House Conference
on Aging to be convened not later than December 31, 2005. The
last White House Conference on Aging occurred in May 1995.
- Does the reauthorization include the Federal Council on
Aging?
No, the 2000 amendments delete the Federal Council on Aging.
- Have any changes been made to the Title III-F, Health Promotion/Disease
Prevention Services?
Due to consolidations listed above, the former Title III-F,
Disease Prevention/Health Promotion Services, is now Title III-D,
so remains a separate title. The definitions for these services
have been moved to Section 102, Definitions.
- How has targeting changed in the new amendments?
Previously targeted groups, i.e., those in greatest social and
economic need with particular attention to low-income minority
elderly, Native Americans, persons with Alzheimer's Disease
and Related Disorders (and their families) have been retained.
Though there was some targeting of rural elders in the1992 amendments,
this group is now included in targeting language throughout
the Act.
- How is the term “rural” defined for targeting purposes?
Except for reporting purposes where the NAPIS definition of
“rural” is required, States may continue to use their current
definition(s) of rural.
- Has the interstate funding formula changed?
There are now three interstate funding formulas - one for Title
III (except III-E), Title VII, and one for the National Family
Caregiver Program (Title III-E). The 60+ population is now the
first factor in both the Title III and Title VII formulas; the
"hold harmless" year is updated to 2000; the factor for state
minimums remains; and a new factor is added to the Title III
formula as a second "hold harmless" level, i.e., No state will
receive less than 20% of the percentage increase above the FY2000
allotments for all states. The new National Family Caregiver
Program distributes funding according to the percentage of persons
70 years of age and older, and provides minimum funding levels
for each state.
- What about the intrastate formula?
The intrastate funding formula requirements are not changed
with the amendments. The formula developed by each SUA (in consultation
with area agencies, and in accordance with AoA guidelines) takes
into account: (1) the geographical distribution of older individuals
in the state; and (2) the distribution among planning and service
areas of older individuals with greatest economic need and greatest
social need, with particular attention to low-income minority
older individuals. Intrastate funding formulas are approved
by AoA prior to implementation.
- Is cost sharing now allowed for Title III and VII services?
Cost sharing with specific safeguards will be allowed for limited
supportive services, however, cost sharing will not be allowed
for I&A, outreach, benefits counseling, case management, ombudsman,
elder abuse prevention programs, legal assistance, consumer
protection services, congregate and home-delivered meals, services
provided by tribal organizations, or services to low-income
individuals.
- Has the opportunity for voluntary contributions been deleted
since cost sharing is now allowed?
Voluntary contributions remain in the 2000 amendments and are
combined with new language to prevent coercive solicitation.
The Act also now requires AAA's to consult with service providers
and older individuals about the best method for accepting contributions.
Means testing and denial of service based on non-contribution
are prohibited.
- Are states still allowed to transfer funds between the
congregate and home-delivered meals programs?
The 2000 amendments retain the authority and increase the limits
for transfers between the two programs. States may transfer
not more than 40% of the funds as the state considers appropriate
and the Assistant Secretary considers consistent with the objectives
of the Act. If this amount is insufficient to satisfy the need,
a request can be made to transfer an additional 10% upon a showing
that it will not jeopardize the appropriate provision of services.
- What are the transfer limits between supportive and nutrition
services?
The 2000 amendments retain the authority to transfer between
these service categories. A state may elect to transfer not
more than 30% from one category to another. States shall notify
the Assistant Secretary of such election. This notification
shall include a description of the amount to be transferred,
the purpose, the need, and the impact on the provision of services
from which funding will be transferred. The general waiver provisions
of the statute provide an opportunity for a state to exceed
the 30% limit. To exceed this limit, a state must demonstrate
that the standards in the statute have been met.
- What changes to the nutrition program are included in the
reauthorization?
The 2000 amendments modify the USDA meal reimbursement program
to lessen the administrative burdens on states, tribes, and
local agencies. This is accomplished through the creation of
the Nutrition Services Incentive Program (NSIP) that revises
the basis for allocations from a reimbursement model to a performance
incentive model, i.e., the cash or commodity allocation to a
State agency or to a Tribal organization is based on the number
of meals actually served in the previous year in relationship
to the total number of meals served by all States or Tribes.
The amendments also eliminate the unfunded subpart for school-based
meals, but grants authority for states to perform this function
under the congregate nutrition subpart.
- How are multigenerational services addressed in the new
amendments?
AoA will require SUAs and ITOs to submit SF 269s on the same
schedule as Title III and VI SF 269 reports. These funds will
be reported a “obligated” when distributed to subgrantees
and “liquidated” when the subgrantees report their
expenditure. SUAs or ITOs must complete a final SF269 no later
than when the final report for other Title III or Title VI
funds awarded in that fiscal year are due.
- Does the reauthorized Older Americans Act (OAA) permit
area agencies and Title III projects to serve persons other
than those who are 60 years of age and older?
The same rules apply to NSIP funds as apply to other funds
allocated under Titles III and VI of the OAA, and they are
unchanged. SUAs have one year to obligate funds and two years
to expend the funds. ITOs have one year to obligate and expend.
SUAs and ITOs must obligate all funds in the fiscal year
in which they are awarded.
- Are most of the National Family Caregiver Support Program
funds earmarked for respite services?
Funds under the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP)
are not earmarked. Funds may be used to provide the five categories
of services authorized: 1) information about services; 2) assistance
with access to services; 3) individual counseling, organization
of support groups, and caregiver training; 4) respite care;
and 5) supplemental services, on a limited basis. States and
area agencies have the flexibility to determine the funding
allocated to these services. The category of supplemental services
is designed to be on a limited basis. As a result, no more than
twenty percent of the federal funding should be dedicated to
this category.
Five percent of the total program allocation is reserved at
the national level for competitive innovation grants, and activities
of national significance such as program evaluation, training,
technical assistance, and research.
- Who is eligible to apply for the competitive innovative
grants?
As with the discretionary authorization in Title IV, AoA will
provide guidance regarding who is eligible to apply for the
competitive innovative grants. Since the purpose of these grants
is to assist in the development of multifaceted systems of caregiver
support, states are likely to be one of the preferred grantees
with incentives to include area agencies and others as partners.
- If a state already funds a caregiver support program, can
funds from such a program be used to match the new federal program?
If so, how does this affect the "maintenance of effort" requirements?
A state may use other funds currently used for related programs
to match the federal NFCSP so long as such monies are not from
other federal sources, e.g., Medicaid, and are not used to match
other programs. The maintenance of effort requirements are met
if the overall amount of state and local funding remains at
or above what was previously allocated to existing caregiver
programs.
- Are direct payments to family caregivers allowed with the
new National Family Caregiver Support Program?
Direct payments to family caregivers is neither specifically
included in, nor precluded by, the statute. As such, payments
may be possible for certain services if so defined by the state.
- Do the grandchildren who are cared for by grandparents
need to have a disability or chronic illness (including those
with mental retardation and developmental disabilities) in order
to receive services?
No, there is no requirement that the grandchildren have a disability.
Under the NFCSP, states may design services for grandparents
or older individuals who are relative caregivers. In these instances,
the grandparent or relative caregiver must be an older individual
(60+), who lives with the child, is the primary caregiver of
the child, and has a legal relationship to the child or is raising
the child informally. The child must be no more than 18 years
old.
As a state determines how to target its services under the caregiver
program, it shall give priority to older individuals in greatest
social and economic need and older individuals caring for persons
with mental retardation and developmental disabilities.
- Does the child with MR/DD have to be under the chronological
age of 19?
Yes, the statute does not provide any distinctions other than
the child must be no more than 18 years of age.
- Are States required to reserve 10% of the funding for services
to grandparents?
No. States have the flexibility to determine the expenditures
up to a maximum of 10%, to provide support services to grandparents
and older individuals who are relative caregivers of children
age 18 and under. States may design intrastate funding formula
allocations that vary the proportion of funding among area agencies.
It is conceivable that such a formula could be designed that
would allocate the majority of funding to certain area agencies
within the state.
- Can States reserve funds to conduct a caregiver demonstration
in one geographic area of the state?
No. Funds under Title III-E must be allocated via an intrastate
funding formula to area agencies on aging.
- Can the needs of other caregivers be addressed through
the National Family Caregiver Support Program?
The NFCSP was developed as an initial effort to meet the needs
of a segment of the caregiver population. For FY 2001, it is
funded at $125 million and is designed to begin to address the
needs of caregivers. As part of the program’s original design,
we identified options for expanding the population of caregivers
to be covered. As the program matures, and outcomes are generated,
and most importantly, as additional resources become available,
we will consider expanding the program to other groups of persons
requiring and providing care.
- What changes, if any, are made to Title IV of the reauthorized
OAA?
The 2000 amendments include tribal organizations in the list
of entities to whom AoA may grant training, research and discretionary
grant funds. In addition to the previous authority to grant
funds for education and training, research and development,
demonstration programs, and dissemination of information, AoA
may now grant funds to facilitate coordination with agencies
that provide services to older individuals who are blind, for
the training of graduate level professionals specializing in
mental health, and any other activities the Assistant Secretary
determines. Also, the authority for the Pension Rights Demonstration
Projects is moved to Title II, and three new areas were specifically
added to the types of projects that can be funded under Title
IV: Older Individuals’ Protection from Violence; Health Care
Service Demonstrations in Rural Areas; and Computer Training.
- Are there any changes to Title VI in the reauthorized Act?
The reauthorized Act adds provisions that permit only one grant
per tribal organization under Part A, and that call for local
customs and subsistence needs to be taken into consideration.
Other enhancements for Native Americans include authority to
receive disaster assistance, coordination with Title III, access
to the funds from USDA’s Nutrition Services Incentive Program,
and the Native American Caregiver Service Program. A separate
authorization is included for the Caregiver Service Program
under Title VI, Part C. Grantees apply based on population served,
service priority, coordination with community organizations,
quality standards and reporting.
- Are Elder Rights programs still a separate title in the
reauthorized Act?
The 2000 amendments retain three of the four chapters under
Title VII, i.e., Ombudsman Program; Prevention of Elder Abuse,
Neglect, and Exploitation; and State Legal Assistance Development
Program. There are no provisions for the Outreach, Counseling
and Assistance Program. These activities, however, could be
funded through Title III. The interstate funding formula for
Title VII is retained with updated hold harmless levels of FY
2000 for the Ombudsman and Elder Abuse programs. A separate
authorization for Native American Elder Rights programs, Subtitle
B, is maintained.
- What changes are made to the Ombudsman Program?
The provisions of the previous amendments are retained and enhanced
with the 2000 amendments. Maintenance of effort requirements
are updated to the 2000 levels. Also, ombudsman services are
required to be coordinated with state and local law enforcement
agencies and courts of competent jurisdiction. The reauthorized
Act includes criteria for designation of local ombudsman entities
that precludes gaining financially from the performance of their
duties.
- Does the reauthorized OAA have new provisions for the Prevention
of Elder Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation Program?
The previous statute related to Elder Abuse Prevention Program
is enhanced with requirements for: coordination with state and
local law enforcement agencies, and courts; the inclusion of
caregivers in education and training; and a study of the nature
and extent of financial exploitation of older individuals. The
adequacy of current legal protections to prevent financial exploitation
is to be examined as well.
- Do the amendments maintain legal services as a priority
service? Are states still required to maintain a “legal services
developer” on staff?
Yes, legal services remain a priority service under Title III
along with access and in-home services. As a result, states
are required to specify a minimum proportion of funds to be
spent by area agencies to assure an adequate proportion of funds
will be spent for services in these three categories. In addition,
provisions are retained for states to provide leadership in
developing legal assistance programs for older individuals through
the services of a legal assistance developer.
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When will regulations/guidance on the new
amendments be issued?
Program implementation and regulation development will include
three components: (1) Initial and ongoing guidance will be
provided to allow States to begin implementation of new and
revised programs. Initial guidance will be supplied through
AoA Program Instruction. Ongoing guidance will be provided
through various means including the AoA website; (2) Regulations
will be developed for those areas of the amendments needing
clarification. Input from the aging network will be sought
to assist in the identification of such areas; (3) Technical
assistance will be provided to assist in designing and shaping
State and local programs. Such assistance may take a variety
of forms, e.g., conferences, position papers, etc., and will
be based on research and models that have proven to be successful.
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Sec. 1403. 9 How are Title III funds
awarded to States?
(a) Title III funds are awarded to States through interstate
formula grants, with a non-Federal share requirement (note:
some territories are not required to provide a non-Federal
share).
(b) Grant allocations for Title III programs services (except
Part E, National Family Caregiver Support Program) are determined
by applying, in order, the following three factors:
(1) Population - Each State and territory’s population
aged 60 and above, as a proportion to all other states and
territories (using most recent census data available for
States and territories);
(2) Minimum - A minimum percentage of the funds appropriated
for the current fiscal year (1/2 % for each state, 1/4 %
for select territories, and 1/16 % for remaining territories);
and
(3) Hold-Harmless - An amount equal to the allotment received
by each State in FY 2000, added to 20% of the percentage
increase in the appropriation between FY 2000 and the current
FY.
(c) Grant allocations for Title III-E, National Family
Caregiver Support Program, are determined by applying, in
order, the following two factors:
(1) Population - Each State and territory’s population
aged 70 and above as a proportion to all other States and
territories (using most recent census data available for
States and territories); and
(2) Minimum - A minimum percentage of the funds appropriated
for the current fiscal year (1/2 % for each state, 1/4 %
for select territories, and 1/16 % for remaining territories).
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Sec. 1403.10 What are the non-Federal share requirements
for Title III programs?
(a) There are three non-Federal share requirements for
Title III funds:
(1) For services provided under Title III, Part B, Supportive
Services and Senior Centers, Part C, Nutrition Service,
and Part D, Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Services,
the non-Federal share requirement is 15%.
(2) For services provided under Title III, Part E, National
Family Caregiver Support program, the non-Federal share
requirement is 25%.
(3) For State and area plan administration of Title III,
all Parts, the non-Federal share requirement is 25%.
(b) The non-Federal share may be from State and local sources.
(c) In a very few circumstances, other Federal grant funds
may be used to satisfy a non-Federal share requirement.
Such use must be explicitly authorized in the “source”
program’s legislation.
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Sec. 1407.4 How are Title VII funds granted to
States?
(a) Title VII funds are awarded through interstate formula
grants that are determined by application of the following
three factors:
(1) Population - Each state and territory’s population
aged 60 and above as a proportion to all other states and
territories;
(2) Minimum - A minimum allotment based on a percentage
of the amount appropriated for the fiscal year being determined
(1/2 % for each state, 1/4 % for select territories, and
1/16 % for remaining territories); and
(3) Hold-Harmless - A hold harmless amount based on the
FY 2000 allocation for the Ombudsman and Elder Abuse Prevention
programs.
(b) Title VII grants do not require a non-Federal share
(match).
Nutrition Frequently
Asked Questions
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What is the Nutrition Services Incentive
Program (NSIP)?
The Nutrition Services Incentive Program (NSIP)
is not a new program; it was authorized by Section 311 of
the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 2000, as amended, and has
been authorized in one form or another under the OAA since
1978. Until this year, the program was administered by the
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which provided
cash and/or commodities to supplement meals provided under
the authority of the OAA. The Consolidated Appropriations
Resolution, 2003, Public Law 108-7, amended the OAA to transfer
the NSIP from the USDA to the Administration on Aging (AoA)
within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
- Will there be any significant changes in the program
as a result of its transfer to the AoA?
No. AoA will administer the program in compliance with
the requirements of Section 311 of the OAA, which have remained
unchanged.
- What is the purpose of the NSIP?
The NSIP is intended to provide incentives to States
and Tribes for the effective delivery of nutritious meals to
older adults. The NSIP supplements funding for food used in
meals served under the OAA.
- What agencies may participate in NSIP?
State Units on Aging (SUAs) funded through Title III
of the OAA and Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) who have an
approved application through Title VI of the OAA may receive
grants of cash from the AoA and/or commodities from the USDA.
- What are the procedures for SUAs and ITOs to participate
in NSIP?
Participation procedures are largely unchanged. In
order to participate in NSIP, SUAs and ITOs are required to
sign participation agreements, submit meal and financial reports
promptly, and comply with the requirements of the OAA.
- What community organizations are eligible to participate
in NSIP?
Participation by community organizations is unchanged. If
community organizations enter into a contract or grant agreement
with their SUA or AAA to provide meals in compliance with
Title III of the OAA, the community organization may receive
NSIP funding from that entity. Under the OAA, some community
organizations are not eligible to participate in NSIP. For
example, privately funded meals on wheels programs that are
not associated with a SUA or AAA, or assisted living facilities
that do not provide meals to the general public and are not
associated with a SUA or AAA, are not eligible to participate
in NSIP.
- How is funding determined?
Funding determination methods are unchanged from the 2000
OAA amendments. The NSIP cash or cash and commodity allocation
to SUAs and ITOs is a proportional share of a Federal fiscal
year appropriation. The allocation is based on the number
of meals served by a single SUA or ITO in the previous year
in proportion to the total number of meals served by all SUAs
and ITOs that year. Meals counted for purposes of NSIP reporting
are those that satisfy the requirements of Title III-C of
the OAA. Throughout these questions these are referred to
as OAA meals.
- How is cash being distributed during the 2003 transitional
year?
Under the continuing resolutions (CRs) of Federal Fiscal
Year (FFY) 2003 that provided spending authority for the beginning
of the FFY, the USDA provided SUAs and ITOs with two distributions
of funds totaling about 39 percent of the available grant
funds.
In April 2003, the AoA provided a third interim distribution
that increased the distribution to approximately 75 percent
of the available grant funds to SUAs and ITOs for FFY 2003.
Another allotment will be provided during the fourth quarter
after the meal count data and AoA internal management procedures
are finalized.
The AoA may provide a final allotment in August after adjustments,
including adjustments for commodity usage.
- How will cash be distributed for NSIP during FFY 2004
and later?
Once an appropriation is enacted, the AoA will distribute
approximately 75% of NSIP appropriated funds in the first
quarter using the allocation formula for the previous FFY.
Another allotment will be made available in the third quarter,
and will adjust the distribution to be based on the number
of OAA meals that were reported as served in the prior FFY.
The remainder of the allotment will be provided at the end
of fourth quarter after adjustments.
- What will happen to funding if there is a continuing
resolution (CR)?
The AoA will distribute funds to SUAs and ITOs based on the
CR limitations and the funds available at the time, as it
does with its current funding under Titles III and VI.
- Will SUAs and ITOs get the same amount of funding
during the next fiscal year?
Funding to SUAs and ITOs is based on the total Federal appropriation
for NSIP and the number of meals reported by SUAs and ITOs
for the previous year. If total available funding and the
number of meals served do not change significantly, funding
will be approximately the same from year to year.
- Are commodities still a part of the NSIP?
Yes, commodities are still an option under NSIP, and the
USDA remains responsible for the distribution of commodities.
Procedures for election and selection of commodities are in
place and unchanged. For a list of foods offered by USDA for
NSIP, please refer to the Food Distribution website at: http://www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/
- How must NSIP cash be distributed and used?
Requirements for the distribution and use of NSIP cash are
unchanged.
Consistent with existing program requirements, SUAs and ITOs
must establish policies and procedures for the appropriate
disbursement and use of cash received from AoA. The OAA requires
SUAs and ITOs to promptly and equitably disburse cash they
receive to recipients of grants or contracts for nutrition
projects under Title III and Title VI.
Consistent with existing requirements for this program, recipients
of grants or contracts from the SUA or AAA may use NSIP cash
to purchase United States (U.S.) agricultural commodities
and other foods of U.S. origin for their nutrition projects.
NSIP funds must be used to expand meal services to older adults.
- Is match required for NSIP?
No, a SUA or ITO is not required to match these funds.
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What are the remaining reporting requirements of
NSIP during the 2003 transition year?
For 2003 only, the USDA is requiring the submission from
SUAs and ITOs of an SF269a to account for the two distributions
of funds that occurred during the CRs.
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SUAs ONLY: What are the requirements and deadlines
for SUA reporting of meals to obtain NSIP funding for FFY
2004 and beyond?
Each year, the SUAs are to report the number of OAA meals
served during the previous fiscal year by way of the State’s
SPR (State Program Report) by January 31. Revisions to this
submission will be accepted through March 1. For example,
the deadline for reporting OAA meals served in FY 2003 is
January 31, 2004, and revisions will be accepted through March
1, 2004.
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ITOs ONLY: What are the requirements and deadlines
for ITO reporting of meals to obtain NSIP funding for FFY
2004 and beyond?
For FY 2004, ITOs will be required to report the number of
OAA meals served in 2002 by April 30, 2003.
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What are the requirements and deadlines for the future
submission of SF269s for SUAs and an ITOs?
AoA will require SUAs and ITOs to submit SF 269s on the
same schedule as Title III and VI SF 269 reports. These funds
will be reported a “obligated” when distributed
to subgrantees and “liquidated” when the subgrantees
report their expenditure. SUAs or ITOs must complete a final
SF269 no later than when the final report for other Title
III or Title VI funds awarded in that fiscal year are due.
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Over what period of time may SUAs and ITOs expend
NSIP funds?
The same rules apply to NSIP funds as apply to other funds
allocated under Titles III and VI of the OAA, and they are
unchanged. SUAs have one year to obligate funds and two years
to expend the funds. ITOs have one year to obligate and expend.
SUAs and ITOs must obligate all funds in the fiscal year
in which they are awarded.
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What are the criteria for counting meals for NSIP
funding purposes?
SUAs and ITOs should report the number of meals that meet
the criteria of the OAA for meals programs (Title III-C).
Meals served in accordance with the requirements of the OAA
and its regulations would include those served:
- to an individual who is qualified to receive services
under the OAA as defined in Title III or Title VI;
- to an individual who is not means-tested for participation;
- in compliance with the nutrition requirements of the
OAA;
- by an eligible agency (has a grant or contract with a
SUA or AAA) or a Title VI provider; and
- to an individual who is given an opportunity to contribute
to the cost of service.
- For NSIP funding purposes, can SUAs and ITOs include
OAA meals provided to adults under age 60?
Yes. As indicated in Section 339, an AAA is to establish procedures
that allow a nutrition project administrator the option to allow
the participation of adults under age 60 who are:
- disabled adults, who reside at home with and accompany
older adults, and
- volunteers, regardless of age, who assist in meal service
during meal hours.
Such meals are to be included in the meal count for NSIP
funding.
- For NSIP funding purposes, should an SUA or ITO report
meals served in means-tested programs they administer, such
as Title XIX Medicaid Waiver Programs?
No, meals served in Title XIX Medicaid Waiver Programs or means-tested
state funded home and community based programs cannot be included
in counts used to determine NSIP funding.
- Are home-delivered meals served under the Title III-Part
E, the National Family Caregiver Support Program eligible to
be counted for NSIP allocation on the SPR?
Home-delivered meals, as a supplemental service, served with
Title III Part E funds may be counted as a NSIP eligible meal
if the meal:
- meets the requirements of the OAA (Title III-C),
- is served by an agency that has a grant or contract with
the SUA or AAA; and
- is served to an adult qualified for service under Title
III of the OAA:
- care recipients, who are age 60 or older;
- caregivers, who are age 60 or older; or
- caregivers, who are the spouse of the care recipient,
regardless of age.
If the caregiver is an adult who is under age 60 and is not
the spouse of the care recipient, the meal served to the caregiver
may be funded by Part E, but is not eligible to be reported
as an NSIP eligible meal.
- Where can I find more complete information on the
OAA Programs?
More complete data for Title III of the OAA may be found
on the AoA website here.
Who should I contact for more information about NSIP?
A SUA or ITO should contact their AoA regional office if
they have questions about NSIP. A listing of the AoA regional
offices may be found here
A community-based organization should contact their SUA if
they have questions. A listing of the SUAs may be found here
For information from the USDA regarding the commodity part
of NSIP, a SUA, ITO or community-based organization should
refer to the USDA regional offices found here.
Frequently Asked Questions about National
Family Caregiver Support Program under the Older Americans Act Amendments
of 2000
2.
Who is eligible to apply for the competitive innovative grants?
3.
If a state already funds a caregiver support program, can funds
from such a program be used to match the new federal program?
If so, how does this affect the "maintenance of effort"
requirements?
4.
Can a family caregiver receive a salary or stipend (from National
Family Caregiver Support Program funds) for services he or she
provides to the care recipient?
5.
Are direct payments to family caregivers allowed for the purchase
of services such as respite?
6.
Can a family caregiver purchase respite or other services from
another family member such as an adult grandchild?
7.
Do the grandchildren who are cared for by grandparents need to
have a disability or chronic illness (including those with mental
retardation and developmental disabilities) in order to receive
services?
8.
Does the child with MR/DD have to be under the chronological age
of 19?
9.
Are States required to reserve 10% of the funding for services
to grandparents?
10.
Can States reserve funds to conduct a caregiver demonstration
in one geographic area of the state?
11.
Can the needs of other caregivers be addressed through the National
Family Caregiver Support Program?
1.
Are most of the National Family Caregiver Support Program funds
earmarked for respite services?
Funds under the National Family
Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) are not earmarked. Funds
may be used to provide the five categories of services authorized:
1) information about services; 2) assistance with access
to services; 3) individual counseling, organization of support
groups, and caregiver training; 4) respite care; and 5)
supplemental services, on a limited basis. States and area
agencies have the flexibility to determine the funding allocated
to these services. The category of supplemental services
is designed to be on a limited basis. As a result, no more
than twenty percent of the federal funding should be dedicated
to this category.
Five percent of the total program
allocation is reserved at the national level for competitive innovation
grants, and activities of national significance such as program
evaluation, training, technical assistance, and research.
2.
Who is eligible to apply for the competitive innovative grants?
As with the discretionary authorization
in Title IV, AoA will provide guidance regarding who is eligible
to apply for the competitive innovative grants. Since the
purpose of these grants is to assist in the development of multifaceted
systems of caregiver support, states are likely to be one of the
preferred grantees with incentives to include area agencies and
others as partners.
3.
If a state already funds a caregiver support program, can funds
from such a program be used to match the new federal program?
If so, how does this affect the "maintenance of effort"
requirements?
A state may use other funds
currently used for related programs to match the federal NFCSP
so long as such monies are not from other federal sources, e.g.,
Medicaid, and are not used to match other programs. The
maintenance of effort requirements are met if the overall amount
of state and local funding remains at or above what was previously
allocated to existing caregiver programs.
4.
Can a family caregiver receive a salary or stipend (from National
Family Caregiver Support Program funds) for services he or she
provides to the care recipient?
A salary or stipend cannot be paid
to the family caregiver(s) being served by the National Family
Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP).
5.
Are direct payments to family caregivers allowed for the purchase
of services such as respite?
It is a State option to allow direct
payments, e.g., cash or vouchers, to family caregivers for the
purchase of services provided through the National Family Caregiver
Support Program.
6.
Can a family caregiver purchase respite or other services from
another family member such as an adult grandchild?
It
is a State option to allow family caregivers (those being served
by the National Family Caregiver Support Program) to contract
with other family members (family members not identified as clients
in the NFCSP) to provide needed services such as respite.
7.
Do the grandchildren who are cared for by grandparents need to
have a disability or chronic illness (including those with mental
retardation and developmental disabilities) in order to receive
services?
No, there is no requirement
that the grandchildren have a disability. Under the NFCSP,
states may design services for grandparents or older individuals
who are relative caregivers. In these instances, the grandparent
or relative caregiver must be an older individual (60+), who lives
with the child, is the primary caregiver of the child, and has
a legal relationship to the child or is raising the child informally.
The child must be no more than 18 years old.
As a state determines how
to target its services under the caregiver program, it shall give
priority to older individuals in greatest social and economic
need and older individuals caring for persons with mental retardation
and developmental disabilities.
8.
Does the child with MR/DD have to be under the chronological age
of 19?
Yes, the statute does not
provide any distinctions other than the child must be no more
than 18 years of age.
9.
Are States required to reserve 10% of the funding for
services to grandparents?
No. States have the flexibility
to determine the expenditures up to a maximum of 10%, to provide
support services to grandparents and older individuals who are
relative caregivers of children age 18 and under. States
may design intrastate funding formula allocations that vary the
proportion of funding among area agencies. It is conceivable
that such a formula could be designed that would allocate the
majority of funding to certain area agencies within the state.
10.
Can States reserve funds to conduct a caregiver demonstration
in one geographic area of the state?
No. Funds under Title III-E
must be allocated via an intrastate funding formula to area agencies
on aging.
11.
Can the needs of other caregivers be addressed through the National
Family Caregiver Support Program?
The NFCSP was developed as an initial
effort to meet the needs of a segment of the caregiver population.
For FY 2001, it is funded at $125 million and is designed to begin
to address the needs of caregivers. As part of the
program’s original design, we identified options for expanding
the population of caregivers to be covered. As the program
matures, and outcomes are generated, and most importantly, as
additional resources become available, we will consider expanding
the program to other groups of persons requiring and providing
care.
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