Who qualifies for meals and how do i apply?
To be eligible, clients must be at least 60 years old and have either a long or short-term disability or illness that prevents them from shopping for food and preparing meals. They must not have access to a community kitchen (for example, in senior housing). Seniors without working refrigeration or storage facilities are also eligible.
Referrals for service are made by phone or online, and meal delivery can begin in 24 hours in an emergency, or within a few days in a non-emergency situation. Sources for referrals are varied: the potential client, neighbor, relative, friend, clergy, or a related agency serving the community.
A telephone assessment by a Meals on Wheels nurse is made within a week of the referral. Reassessments are made annually.
All Dietary Needs Addressed
Delivery Of Hot & Cold Meals
Fast Application Process
Frequently asked questions
How Do I Get Meals For My Parents, Grandparents or Neighbors?
Call our office at (718) 727-4435, Monday – Friday, 7 AM to 3 PM. You can also email us. We will provide more information on how to get someone started. The simplest way is to fill out our form below.
How Quickly Can I Receive Meals?
You will receive an assessment call from a Meals on Wheels nurse who will make a determination of your physical health and nutritional needs. After the call, they will forward the referral to the case management agency -Community Agency for Senior Citizens(CASC) -who will have to approve the referral for meals to begin. Once approved, the meals can begin within a day or two.
How Much Does It Cost?
The cost to you is kept to a minimum. The Department for the Aging suggested contribution rate is $3.50 per day. Monthly statements are mailed reflecting the cost for meals received the prior month. Monthly bills can also be mailed to someone who writes your checks and they can mail your payment back to us.
I'm Concerned About Nutrition
All meals are low sodium, low fat, and low cholestrol and provides one-third of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of vitamins and minerals necessary for a healthy diet. Special diets are available, but require a physician’s written order. The special diets are:
Renal–Chopped–Pureed–Vegetarian-Kosher/Halal
Tell Me About The Delivery Process
We deliver one hot and one cold meal each day, five days a week, between 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., except for major holidays. If eligible, three frozen meals can be delivered on Saturday morning for weekends.
Note: Meals cannot be delivered unless someone is there to receive them. Please call to cancel meal delivery for that day if you aren’t going to be home to receive it. Otherwise, we will contact you or your emergency contact to confirm your well-being.