173-4-10. Older Americans Act nutrition program: grocery shopping assistance

(A) "Grocery shopping assistance" means a service that assists consumers with the act of grocery shopping.

(B) In every AAA-provider agreement for grocery shopping assistance paid, in whole or in part, with Older Americans Act funds, the AAA shall include the following requirements:

(1) General requirements: In the AAA-provider agreement, the AAA shall include the requirements in rule 173-3-06 of the Administrative Code for every AAA-provider agreement paid, in whole or in part, with Older Americans Act funds.

(2) Introductory information: The provider to provide a consumer with a packet of introductory information that explains how grocery shopping assistance works upon the consumer's enrollment into a grocery shopping assistance service.

(3) Transferring groceries: In the AAA-provider agreement, the AAA shall indicate the extent to which the provider shall transfer the groceries the consumer purchases, whether from the grocery store to the vehicle, from the shopping cart to the vehicle, from the vehicle to the consumer's home, or a combination of the three.

(4) Payment:

(a) No Older Americans Act funds, other than funds from Title III-B or III-E of the Older Americans Act, shall pay for grocery shopping assistance.

(b) No Older Americans Act funds, other than funds from Title III-B or III-E of the Older Americans Act, shall pay for consumable supplies or material aid to meet basic needs, such as groceries. Providers may accept other funds (e.g., private pay, SNAP) for consumable supplies or material aid to meet basic needs.

(5) Service verification:

(a) For each episode of assistance, the provider shall retain a record of the consumer's name; service date; pick-up time and location; drop-off time and location; service units; provider's signature; and a unique identifier of the consumer.

(b) In the AAA-provider agreement, the AAA shall not prohibit the provider from using an electronic system to collect and retain the items in paragraph (B)(5)(a) of this rule.

(c) During a state of emergency declared by the governor, the provider may verify each episode of service provided without collecting the unique identifier of the consumer.

(C) Units: One unit of grocery shopping assistance equals one-way transportation to or from a grocery store.

Effective: 10/29/2020
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 8/14/2020 and 10/29/2025
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 121.07, 173.01, 173.02, 173.392 ; 42 U.S.C. 3025; 45 C.F.R. 1321.11
Rule Amplifies: 173.39 , 173.392 ; 42 U.S.C. 3030e, 3030f; 45 C.F.R. 1321.65
Prior Effective Dates: 03/05/2009, 09/01/2016, 06/11/2020 (Emer.)