South Dakota Adult Nutrition Program Eligibility


Through the Older Americans Act Title III-C, the Adult Nutrition Program provides individuals with a nutritious meal meeting the dietary guidelines and one-third the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI). Meals are provided in a congregate setting (group dining) or as home-delivered meals for those unable to leave their home due to illness or isolation.

To obtain the nutrition necessary for healthy living, people age 60 and/or older and their spouses or caregivers can eat at Adult Nutrition meal sites throughout the state. Meals are served in a congregate or group setting such as a senior center or community building, restaurant or local kitchen and meals may also be delivered to individuals who are home-bound.

Others who may be eligible are people with disabilities who live in congregate housing facilities designed primarily for the older adults and where a congregate meal sites exists or those who live with a qualifying caregiver who eats at an Adult Nutrition Site.


Congregate Meals

Congregate Meals are served in a group setting such as a senior center, school, senior housing, community building, church,  or restaurant. There are 10 nutrition providers across the state that are currently serving in 133 communities, there are 8 tribes serving the elders on tribal reservations. You can request a meal one day in advance by calling the meal site. Meal tickets are encouraged and donations can be either cash, check or by utilizing SNAP/EBT benefits.

  • Individuals aged 60 and older and their spouse and/or caregiver of any age;
  • Congregate meals may be offered to persons with disabilities regardless of age when:
    • the individual with disabilities resides in a housing facility occupied primarily by older persons at which congregate meals are available;
    • the individual with disabilities resides at home with and accompanies an eligible older person to a congregate meal site

Contact your local Adult Nutrition site for more information

Home-Delivered Meals

A person who is at least 60 years old and is home-bound because of physical incapacity, emotional, mental or social conditions, or isolation is eligible to receive home-delivered meals. The spouse or caregiver of a home-bound eligible person or a person under age 60 who is dependent on an eligible person is also eligible to receive a home-delivered meal, if receipt of the meal is in the best interest of the home-bound older person.

  • A home-bound individual who is at least 60 and their spouse and/or caregiver of any age;
  • Home-delivered meals may be offered to persons with disabilities regardless of age when:
    • the individual with disabilities resides at home with a home-bound eligible, older person. 


A person is considered home-bound when one or more of the following physical incapacities exist:

  • Lack of physical strength
  • Grossly impaired vision or hearing
  • Bedridden
  • Dependence upon life support systems
  • Inability to control bodily functions
  • Debilitating illness

A person is considered home-bound when any one or more of the following emotional, mental or social conditions exist:

  • Inability to function within a group of people
  • Dependence upon addictive drugs
  • Disruptive behavior in a congregate setting

A person is considered home-bound when any one or more of the following isolating conditions exist:

  • Remote geographic location
  • Lack of transportation

To register to receive home-delivered meals five days a week, contact your local Adult Nutrition site  , or call Dakota at Home.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

If you qualify for SNAP you can make a donation toward the cost of your meal with the South Dakota Electronic Transfer Card (EBT) . The card can be used to purchase group dining or home delivered meals.

To apply for SNAP, click here or contact your local the Department of Social Services at 605-773-3165.