DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
OFFICE OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION
WASHINGTON 25, D.C.

March 10, 1959

Dear John:

In accordance with your request of February 26, 1954, I have
reviewed the enclosed Letter from Mrs. Mildred L, Hatton of the
Providence District Nursing Association to you, in which Mrs. Hatton
asks whether the “Meals on Wheels" program would qualify for assistance
under H. R. 1119, entitled "The Rehabilitation Act of 1959",

The "Meals on Wheels" program is one which provides, at a nominal
cost, a certain number of hot meals in the home to individuals over 45
years of age, who are unable to cook their own meals. Through this program
a disabled individual, who could not prepare his own meals, could remain in
nis own home rather than enter an institution and thereby Live more inde-
pendently. In this respect, Mrs. Hatton points out, the "Meals on Wheels"
program would contribute to independent living.

While this is true, it would be our opinion that this service, as
a program, could not qualify for assistance under H, R. 1119, as introduced
by you on January 7, 1959. The programs that would qualify for support as
programs under H, R. 1119, would, it seems to us, be only those that would
enable individuals to achieve independence in living by meeting their every-
day living needs through their own efforts and activities -- preparing their
own meals, traveling alone, etc. The'Meals on Wheels" program meets a most
necessary subsistance need, but does not supply the restorative services that,
would enable an individual to achieve the independence in living contemplated
by H. Re 1119.

Even though the "Meals on Wheels" program would not seem to qualify
for support as a program under H. R, 1119, it would seem to us that meals on
an individual basis might be purchased for a client undergoing rehabilitation
services for independent living, during the period in which that individual
was unable to prepare his own meals, As you know, "maintenance", when pro-
vided in conjunction with other services, is defined in H. R, 1119 as a service
that can be paid for under the proposal, Therefore, if a State rehabilitation
agency found that the “Meals on Wheels" service for one of its clients, who
was in economic need, provided the most desirable means of meeting his mainten-
ance needs during the period of rehabilitation, it could pay "Meals on Wheels"
for this service. It could not, however, pay for this service as a maintenance
item for an indefinite period, or for people who had no prospects of achieving
independence in living, or if provided independently of any other service in
the rehabilitation process.
-~2-

It would seem to me that the operation of such a program in any
community where it is warranted would be a valuable addition to the total

community services.

Attachment

Hon. John E, Fogarty
Member of Congress
House of Representatives
Washington 25, D.C.

Sincerely yours,

  

Director