Frequently Asked Questions
HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO QUALIFY FOR THE MOW PROGRAM?
The basic requirement to participate in any of our programs is the minimum age of 60.
IS INCOME A FACTOR FOR ELIGIBLITY?
No. There are NO income requirements to participate in our program. We do however ask for you income when you fill out the Participant Intake Form or PIF because we receive both state and federal funding.
WHAT IS THE COST FOR THE MEALS?
There is no charge for meals if you’re over 60, if under 60 we do charge $7.50 per meal. We do however; depend on donations as part of our budget base, so a minimal donation of $2.50 per meal is suggested. However, no one over 60 will be denied meals due to an inability to donate.
CAN ANYONE CALL IN THE REFERRAL?
Referrals are accepted from family members, friends, neighbors, physicians, hospitals and other community agencies, as well as the senior themselves.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR ANY OF THE MEALS ON WHEELS PROGRAMS?
We can take the application over the phone, anyone can call in for you, or you can fill it out at any of our meal sites. We will need the last four numbers of social security, first & last name, physical address, phone number, date of birth, household site, monthly income, race/ethnicity, emergency contact, doctor name and hospital preference.
HOW DO I REGISTER FOR A (CONGREGATE) MEAL?
If you plan to attend one of our meal sites, we require you call us and make a reservation by 3:30 the day before to assure a meal will be ready and waiting for you. To make a reservation, simply call our office at (509) 426-2601.
WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR HOME DELIVERY?
In order to qualify for home delivered meals, the senior must be no longer able to prepare a nutritious meal for themselves and have no one to prepare a nutritious meal for them and not able to leave their home to attend a Meals on Wheels meal site. (There are some circumstances where exceptions may apply. Please contact our office for more information regarding eligibility for our services.)
WHAT IS THE PROCESS WHEN I APPLY FOR THE HOME DELIVERY PROGRAM?
Once we take your application it will be forwarded to the home assessor, the home assessor will call you within 5-7 business days to schedule a required home visit. Once the assessor does the home visit she will let you know if you qualify for the program and when we you will start receiving meals.
WHO PAYS FOR THESE MEALS?
Funding is provided to our program by the Older Americans Act, and Washington State Aging and Disability Services through a grant from the Southeast Washington Office of Aging and Long Term Care Conference of Government, Yakima Valley Community Foundation, Walmart Foundation, United Way and donations made by seniors and private individuals and businesses.