Meals on Wheels in Philadelphia: Home-Delivered Meals and Food Help for Seniors
Meals on Wheels in Philadelphia: Home-Delivered Meals and Food Help for Seniors
Short answer: Older adults in Philadelphia who cannot cook or shop for themselves can get home-delivered meals through the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA). You can request hot or frozen meals by calling the PCA Helpline at 215-765-9040.
- PCA provides home-delivered meals to frail older adults and people with disabilities in Philadelphia.
- Options include hot daily meals, weekly frozen meal deliveries, and shelf-stable emergency food.
- You apply by contacting the PCA Helpline or submitting an online request form.
- Other local food help includes senior center lunches, Philabundance senior food boxes, and SNAP benefits.
- The Community HealthChoices (CHC) Medicaid waiver can also cover home-delivered meals for eligible participants.
This page is part of our Philadelphia senior resource guide. In Philadelphia, the local Area Agency on Aging, the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA), manages the home-delivered meal program. PCA is headquartered at 642 N. Broad Street and provides many services to help older adults remain independent.
PCA home-delivered meals
The PCA home-delivered meals service helps frail older individuals and people with disabilities who are unable to cook or shop for themselves. PCA describes them as people who have no one to help prepare meals. PCA does not state a specific age cutoff for this program on its meals page.
A registered dietitian designs the meals to supply one-third of the recommended daily allowance for older adults. The food is moderately low in fat and sodium to support general health. You can also request kosher meals if your loved one requires a specific diet.
| Meal Type | Delivery Schedule | Who It Is For |
|---|---|---|
| Hot Meals | Monday–Friday, plus weekend sandwich packs | People who cannot heat meals themselves |
| Frozen Meals | Delivered once a week, up to seven meals per delivery | People who can safely heat frozen food |
| Emergency Meals | Shelf-stable food packages | Provided for weather emergencies and disasters |
How to sign up
To get started, you must contact PCA to request services. PCA handles the assessment, enrollment, and service delivery coordination. Because the process differs based on the type of service and eligibility requirements, an assessor will evaluate your loved one’s specific situation.
Follow these steps to apply for meals:
- Call the PCA Helpline at 215-765-9040. You can also submit the online Request Assistance Form on the PCA website.
- Complete the assessment process with a PCA representative. They will look at whether your loved one can cook or shop and whether anyone can help with meals.
- Discuss the specific meal types needed, such as hot versus frozen, and request kosher options if necessary.
- Ask the PCA representative about any costs. PCA does not state a price online, so you must ask them directly about fees or requested donations.
If your loved one needs hands-on help with daily routines at home, New Century Home Care can help. As a non-medical home care agency in Philadelphia, we provide personal care and homemaker services. Call 215-974-0000 and choose the “I am a client” form to discuss your needs.
Other food help
If your loved one does not qualify for home delivery or needs extra groceries, Philadelphia offers several other food programs. PCA helps fund 28 senior community centers and satellite meal sites across the city, providing both food and social activities.
| Program | Eligibility & Details | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Center Lunch | Any Philadelphia resident 60+ can eat a lunchtime meal Monday–Friday at a PCA-funded senior center. Donations are requested but not required. Medical meal plans and kosher food are available at specific centers. | Contact a local senior center or call the PCA Helpline. |
| CSFP Senior Food Box | Philadelphia residents age 60+ who meet income guidelines and do not already receive a monthly senior box. Provides about 30 pounds of shelf-stable food, including produce, juice, pasta, milk, cereal, and canned protein. | Call Philabundance at 215-339-0900 for income guidelines and an appointment, or contact the Share Food Program. |
| SNAP Benefits | Monthly food assistance based on household income. | Apply through the County Assistance Office, online via COMPASS, or call 1-866-550-4355. |
| CHC Waiver Meals | Home-delivered meals are a covered service for people enrolled in the CHC Medicaid waiver. | Ask your CHC plan service coordinator. |
Paying through Medicaid
The Community HealthChoices (CHC) Medicaid waiver covers home-delivered meals for eligible participants. CHC is the Pennsylvania Medicaid managed care program for adults 21 and older who need long-term services and supports. To qualify for the waiver, a person must meet financial limits and be found functionally eligible through a Functional Eligibility Determination (FED) assessment.
If your loved one is already enrolled in the CHC waiver, a person-centered service plan sets which services they receive and how often. You must ask their CHC plan service coordinator to add meal delivery to the care plan.
If you are a family member caring for a relative, you may be eligible to get paid as a caregiver through the CHC waiver. Spouses, legal guardians, representative payees, and powers of attorney cannot be paid caregivers. However, other relatives can work through a licensed home care agency or the participant-directed Services My Way program.
When meals aren’t enough
Dropping off a meal solves one problem, but many older adults need more support to live safely at home. You might notice signs it is time for home care, such as difficulty eating, weight loss, or an inability to clean up the kitchen after meals. Pennsylvania defines instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) to include preparing meals, doing housework, shopping, and using transportation. When a person struggles with these tasks, they often need more than just a food delivery.
When this happens, homemaker services and personal care can fill the gaps. A home care aide can assist with meal preparation, doing dishes, and grocery shopping. They also help with hands-on personal care, including bathing, dressing, feeding, and toileting. Home care ensures your loved one has fresh food and a clean, safe environment.
New Century Home Care provides non-medical assistance to older adults throughout Philadelphia. Call us at 215-974-0000 or fill out the “I am a client” form on our website to learn how we can support your family.
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for Meals on Wheels in PA?
In Philadelphia, PCA home-delivered meals serve frail older individuals and people with disabilities who cannot cook or shop for themselves. PCA describes them as people with no one to help prepare meals. Other programs, like senior center lunches, require the person to be 60 or older.
Does Medicare pay for Meals on Wheels?
Medicare is not the usual payer for ongoing home-delivered meals; some Medicare Advantage plans offer limited meal benefits, so check your plan. In Philadelphia, PCA runs the main program, and the Pennsylvania Community HealthChoices (CHC) Medicaid waiver does include home-delivered meals as a covered service for eligible participants. If enrolled, ask the CHC service coordinator to add meals to the person-centered service plan.
How much do you have to pay for Meals on Wheels?
PCA does not publish a set cost for its home-delivered meals program. You should ask about any potential costs or requested donations when you call the PCA Helpline at 215-765-9040 to complete the assessment. If your loved one is in the CHC waiver, ask the service coordinator how meals are covered.
How do you get approved for Meals on Wheels?
You start by calling the PCA Helpline or submitting an online Request Assistance Form. PCA then does an assessment of your loved one’s needs. The process differs based on the exact service requested.
Non-medical home care in Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware and Chester counties. Medicaid CHC (Keystone First) and private pay. We speak English, Russian and Ukrainian.
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