Rule 173-4-10 | Older Americans Act nutrition program: grocery shopping assistance.
(A) "Grocery shopping assistance" means a service for a consumer who needs assistance shopping for groceries that assists the consumer with the act of shopping for groceries.
(B) Requirements for every AAA-provider agreement for grocery shopping assistance paid, in whole or in part, with Older Americans Act funds:
(1) The AAA-provider agreement is subject to rule 173-3-06 of the Administrative Code.
(2) Introductory information: The provider shall provide a consumer with a packet of introductory information that explains how grocery shopping assistance works on the consumer's enrollment in grocery shopping assistance.
(3) Transferring groceries: The AAA-provider agreement shall indicate the extent to which it requires the provider to transfer a consumer's groceries between the store and the consumer's home.
(4) Payment:
(a) No Older Americans Act funds, other than funds from Title III-B, III-C, or III-E of the Older Americans Act, may pay for grocery shopping assistance.
(b) No Older Americans Act funds, other than funds from Title III-B, III-C, or III-E of the Older Americans Act, may pay for consumable supplies or material aid to meet a consumer's needs or preferences, such as groceries. Providers may accept other funds (e.g., private pay, SNAP) for consumable supplies or material aid to meet a consumer's needs or preferences.
(5) Service verification:
(a) The following are the mandatory reporting items for each episode of assistance that a provider retains to comply with the requirements under paragraph (B)(9) of rule 173-3-06 of the Administrative Code:
(i) Consumer's name.
(ii) Service date.
(iii) Pick-up time and location.
(iv) Drop-off time and location.
(v) Service units.
(vi) Unique identifier of the consumer or the consumer's caregiver to attest to receiving the service.
(b) During a state of emergency declared by the governor or a federal public health emergency, the provider may verify each episode of service provided without collecting the unique identifier of the consumer or the consumer's caregiver.
(C) Units: One unit of grocery shopping assistance is one-way transportation to or from a retail food establishment or non-profit food establishment.
Last updated January 5, 2026 at 9:55 AM
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