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

119.03 (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 Supplemental Information Authorized By: 121.07 , 173.01 , 173.02 , 173.392 ; 42 U.S.C. 3025; 45 C.F.R. 1321.9 , 1321.87 Amplifies: 173.39 , 173.392 ; 42 U.S.C. 3030e, 3030f; 45 C.F.R. 1321.87 11/29/2030 9/1/2016, 10/29/2020