A-1000 Older Americans Act

A-1010 Overview

Revision 21-0; Effective January 15, 2021

The Older Americans Act (OAA), enacted in 1965, focuses on planning and policy related to aging issues. The OAA establishes the “aging network”, consisting of the Administration on Aging (AoA), State Agencies on Aging (more commonly known as State Units on Aging) and Area Agencies on Aging. Later amendments added a variety of services and supports for people age 60 and over and their caregivers.

Legislation authorizes grants to states for community planning and social services, research and development projects, and personnel training in the field of aging.

The aging network supports a wide range of social services and programs for older people including:

  • supportive services;
  • congregate meals;
  • home-delivered meals;
  • family caregiver support, evidence-based health programs;
  • the long-term care ombudsman program; and
  • services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older persons.

The Administration on Aging, within Administration for Community Living (ACL) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), administers all programs.

The aging network helps older people age well and live with dignity when aging brings challenges and is an important part of the support systems which they and their caregivers can access.

A-1020 Declaration of Objectives

Revision 21-0; Effective January 15, 2021

OAA supports older Americans to help them live at home and in the community with dignity and independence for as long as possible.

The Declaration of Objectives of Title I of the OAA ensures equal opportunity to the full and free enjoyment of:

  • an adequate income in retirement;
  • the best possible physical and mental health services without regard to economic status;
  • suitable and affordable housing, selected, designed, and found with reference to special needs of older people;
  • restorative services, and a range of community based long-term care services, to sustain older people in their communities and in their homes. This includes support for family members and others giving voluntary care to older people who need long-term care services;
  • opportunity for employment without discrimination based on age;
  • retirement in health, honor and dignity;
  • participation and contribution in civic, cultural, educational and recreational opportunities;
  • efficient community services which provide a choice in supported living arrangements and social assistance in a coordinated manner and are readily available, with emphasis on maintaining a variety of care for vulnerable older people;
  • immediate benefit from proven research knowledge which can support and improve health and happiness;
  • freedom, independence, and the exercise of self-determination, full participation in the planning and operation of community-based services and programs for their benefit; and
  • protection against abuse neglect and exploitation.

A-1030 Authority

Revision 21-1; Effective December 1, 2021

Statutory Authority:

  • Older Americans Act of 1965, as Amended through P.L. 116-131, enacted March 25, 2020
  • 42 U.S. Code Section 1395b-4
  • 45 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Subchapter C, The Administration for Community Living, Parts 1321-1324
  • 42 U.S. Code, Chapter 35, Programs for Older Americans

Governing State Laws and Regulations:

  • General Appropriations Act, Texas Legislature
  • Texas Administrative Code, Title 26, Part 1, Chapters 88 and 213
  • Texas Government Code, Title 4, Subtitle I, Chapter 531, Health and Human Services Commission
  • Texas Human Resources Code, Title 6, Chapter 101A, State Services for the Aging
  • Texas Human Resources Code, Title 11, Chapter 161, Department of Aging and Disability Services
  • Texas Local Government Code, Title 12, Chapter 394, Section 394.902, Housing for Elderly 
  • Texas Grant Management Standards

A-1100 State Unit on Aging

A-1110 Overview

Revision 21-0; Effective January 15, 2021

The Texas Health and Humans Services Commission (HHSC) is the agency chosen to serve as the State Unit on Aging for Texas. HHSC serves as the visible advocate for all older people in Texas and oversees OAA programs administered by Area Agencies on Aging.

Funds for aging services include state general revenue under the General Appropriations Act to match federal funds received. Texas also receives housing bond fees and federal awards to administer the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA) programs. Voluntary contributions from people who receive OAA services also support programs throughout Texas.

A-1120 Texas Planning and Service Areas

Revision 21-0; Effective January 15, 2021

The State Unit on Aging under the OAA divides the state into distinct planning and service areas (PSAs). There are PSAs covering all counties in Texas.

A-1130 Designation of Area Agencies on Aging    

Revision 21-0; Effective January 15, 2021

The OAA requires the HHSC to designate Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) for each PSA in the state to carry out programs for people who are 60 years or older, their families and their caregivers.

HHSC designated 28 AAAs in Texas to develop and administer plans for a comprehensive and coordinated system of services for older people in Texas, their caregivers, and their families. AAAs administer OAA programs per their contract with HHSC and with all federal and state regulations and policies.

A-1140 Reporting

Revision 21-0; Effective January 15, 2021

ACL collects data from all states and territories about programs provided through the OAA funding. HHSC collects this information from the AAAs and their subrecipients to prepare the annual State Program Report (SPR). Most of the information used to prepare this report comes from the state’s information management system.

A-1150 Policy Development

Revision 21-0; Effective January 15, 2021

HHSC establishes policy for OAA programs in its role as the designated State Unit on Aging.

This manual provides the official policies and procedures for the administration of all OAA programs and services, unless specifically excluded in A-1200, Other Older American Act Programs.

Related Policy
Other Older American Act Programs, A-1200

A-1160 Compliance Monitoring

Revision 21-0; Effective January 15, 2021

HHSC, a recipient of federal grants, monitors AAAs for compliance with a variety of federal regulations to ensure programs are financially and programmatically accountable.

Monitoring ensures AAAs and their subrecipients use OAA awards for authorized purposes, in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward. It also ensures they achieve performance goals.

A-1200 Other Older Americans Act Sections and Programs

A-1210 Overview

Revision 21-0; Effective January 15, 2021

This section gives general information about each section of the OAA.

A-1220 Title I of the Older Americans Act

Revision 21-0; Effective January 15, 2021

Title I, Declaration of Objectives; Definitions, gives the declaration of Congress in support of the OAA and the definitions for terms used throughout the act.

A-1230 Title II of the Older Americans Act

Revision 21-0; Effective January 15, 2021

Title II, AoA, creates the Office of the Secretary and the AoA. Title II describes the responsibilities and functions of the Assistant Secretary for Aging. The AoA is a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

A-1240 Title III of the Older Americans Act

Revision 21-0; Effective January 15, 2021

Title III, Grants for State and Community Programs on Aging, sets up grants to states for programs to support people who are 60 or over and eligible caregivers. Title III includes definitions, appropriations, area and state plans, and specific program requirements.  

This manual includes policy related to Grants for State and Community Programs on Aging.

A-1250 Title IV of the Older Americans Act

Revision 21-0; Effective January 15, 2021

Title IV, Activities for Health, Independence, and Longevity, sets up grants for special projects that can be administered by states, public agencies, private non-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, tribal and other organizations.

This manual does not include policy related to Activities for Health, Independence, and Longevity grants.

A-1260 Title V of the Older Americans Act

Revision 21-0; Effective January 15, 2021

The Department of Labor administers Title V, the Community Service Senior Opportunities Act of the OAA.

The program encourages self-sufficiency for people 55 or older who are low-income and not employed. Grants to states support projects that provide community service and work-based job training with the goal of gainful employment which is no longer subsidized by OAA funds, in both the private and public sectors.

The Texas Workforce Commission administers this grant for Texas.

This manual does not include policy related to the Community Service Senior Opportunities Act administered by the Department of Labor.

A-1270 Title VI of the Older Americans Act

Revision 21-1; Effective December 1, 2021

Title VI, Grants for Native Americans, awards separate appropriations for supportive and nutrition services to American Indians, Alaskan Natives and Native Hawaiians that are comparable to services provided under Title III of the OAA.

This manual does not include policy about Grants for Native Americans.

A-1280 Title VII of the Older Americans Act

Revision 21-0; Effective January 15, 2021

Title VII of the OAA awards separate appropriations for the:

  • long-term Care Ombudsman Program;
  • program for prevention of elder abuse, neglect and exploitation; and
  • elder rights and legal aid programs.

This manual does not include policy related to the Long-term Care Ombudsman Program administered in Texas.

A-1300 Other Programs

A-1310 Overview

Revision 21-0; Effective January 15, 2021

HHSC administers the Medicare Improvement and Patient Protection Act (MIPPA) program and the State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) program funded by ACL. People refer to SHIP as the Health Information, Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) in Texas. HHSC also administers the housing bond program funded by fees collected from housing finance corporations.