What is the Senior Nutrition Program – Home Delivered Meals?  

The Senior Nutrition Program is a government-funded program that is administered through local partners. A core part of this program is the home-delivered meals service, which delivers meals to your home through local organizations, such as senior centers or community groups.

If you meet the requirements, you may receive healthy meals delivered to your door in prepared, frozen, or non-perishable forms up to five days a week. The number of days you receive meals depends on your local meal provider.

How can the Home Delivered Meals program help me?

All meals provided through the Home Delivered Meals program are healthy and nutritious, following FDA guidelines for a balanced diet. The Home Delivered Meals program helps by bringing healthy meals right to your door. If you lack transportation to go grocery shopping or are unable to cook for a variety of reasons, this service ensures you still get the nutritious food you need,  saving you time, energy, and stress.

Am I eligible to receive help from the Home Delivered Meals program?

Home-delivered meals are funded by the Older Americans Act. To qualify, you need to be 60 or older, homebound, a caregiver or spouse of a homebound person, or disabled and living with a homebound person. Local and state organizations decide if you qualify and may have extra rules depending on their resources and capacity.

How do I apply to receive home-delivered meals? 

Since the Home Delivered Meals program is managed locally, you’ll need to contact your local Agency on Aging or a nearby resource center, such as a senior center or benefits office, to find out if you qualify. To find a center closest to you, use the Eldercare Locator. Just enter your ZIP code at the top of the page and click ‘search.’ This will show a list of centers that can answer your questions, assess your need, and help you sign up for home-delivered meals. You can also call the Administration for Community Living’s toll-free hotline at 800-677-1116 to find the closest home-delivered meal provider.

Depending on your local program and provider, you might need an in-home assessment before you can start receiving home-delivered meals. This visit is to gather more about you, including household details, income, and among other eligibility criteria. Our local office will let you know if an in-home visit is needed before meal deliveries can begin.

Who should I contact if I need help with getting access to the Home Delivered Meals program?

If you need help signing up or finding a nearby center, you can call the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116 to speak with an information specialist. They are available Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.

I signed up for the Home Delivered Meals program—now what?

Once you're approved for home-delivered meals, deliveries may start within a few days to a week, depending on your local program. If you move, want to stop the service, or have concerns about your meal delivery, contact your local meal provider.

Frequently asked questions about the Home Delivered Meals program

• What are the meals like? The meals delivered through this program vary based on your local provider. They may include hot prepared meals, frozen meals, or shelf-stable/non-perishable items. All meals and food items follow FDA guidelines for a balanced diet.
• What if I have dietary restrictions? Some home meal delivery providers try their best to accommodate dietary restrictions, such as vegetarian, low-sodium, or other preferences. Contact your local provider to see if they offer dietary accommodation.
• Are the home-delivered meals free? Home delivered meals through this program are provided at no cost to you, but you have the option to make a voluntary contribution. Any contribution you make helps support the Home-Delivered Meals program. You will still receive meals and services, even if you are unable or prefer not to contribute.