Counties can bring TDA dollars to their communities by making qualifying grants to meal providers. County grants should be based on the county seniors as reported by the census: 2010 Census Numbers per County.

* A grant equivalent to $0.25 per county senior as reported in the 2010 census qualifies meal providers for funds under the Program.  
* County grants at rates less than $0.25 per county senior will qualify providers for correspondingly smaller TDA grants.

If a county has multiple meal providers, the individual county qualifying grants will be totaled to determine the County's overall participation level.

A nonprofit or governmental agency that delivers meals to homebound elderly (60 or older) or disabled individuals are eligible to apply for a grant through the Home-Delivered Meal Grant Program.  In order for providers to qualify, they must:

• Receive a grant from the county in which meals are delivered, documented through a signed county resolution form.
• Deliver meals during the previous fiscal year to homebound elderly (60 or older) or disabled individuals.
• Complete a required application with accurate meal numbers.

TDA staff will work with meal providers and their counties to ensure all qualified applicants receive funding. 

Timeline

• September 1 – November 1 each year: Administrative review to ensure applications are complete with required information. Applications submitted prior to November 1 will be allowed to submit supplemental information, if needed. However, ALL information must be complete and submitted to TDA by November 1.
• November to early December: TDA works with the Department of Aging and Disabilities (DADs) and the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) to determine number of eligible meals for grant calculations
• Mid December: TDA sends email verification to every applicant to confirm the number of eligible meals. A response is required from every provider.
• Late December: Calculate awards and send notice of grant award letter and grant agreements.
• January: Meal providers return signed grant agreements to TDA
• February 1 each year: First half of the grant award is paid out and meal providers will be required to document expenditures through quarterly performance reports.
• August 1 each year: Second half of the grant award is paid out.
• TDA program staff will monitor grantees and perform desk reviews at periodic times throughout the grant cycle.