How to apply for Miami-Dade Meals for the Elderly (Congregate + Home-Delivered) in Florida
Miami-Dade County Community Services Department (CSD; formerly the Community Action and Human Services Department, CAHSD) — Meals for the Elderly
Who it's for
Miami-Dade County's Community Services Department (CSD, formerly the Community Action and Human Services Department) Meals for the Elderly program provides two free meal pathways for Miami-Dade residents age 60 and older: congregate meals at one of 19 designated meal sites across the county, and home-delivered meals (the local Meals on Wheels) for seniors who are homebound or have a qualifying disability. Congregate participants receive a hot, nutritionally balanced meal on weekdays at a community center or designated congregate site, along with social engagement and information about other senior services. Home-delivered participants receive seven free frozen meals per week, plus fresh fruit, milk, and other food items, delivered on weekdays, Monday through Friday. The program is funded through a blend of Older Americans Act Title III-C dollars (federal), Florida Department of Elder Affairs allocations, and Miami-Dade County matching funds. For home-delivered meals, a spouse of an eligible recipient is eligible without any age or medical requirement, and an under-60 individual with a disability who lives with an eligible recipient and depends on them for care can also be enrolled; at the senior-center meal sites, spouses are eligible regardless of age only if they have a disability.
The congregate-meals pathway requires only age 60+ and Miami-Dade residency — call 786-469-4707 to be enrolled and assigned to one of 19 meal sites. The home-delivered (Meals on Wheels) pathway additionally requires documented homebound status or a qualifying disability — CSD case management makes that determination, and most regions operate a waitlist. There is no income or asset test, but participants are offered the option to contribute voluntarily based on their means (no one is denied for inability to pay).
People who qualify for one senior program often qualify for others. See everything you may qualify for — free, no SSN, about five minutes.
Discover my benefitsWhat you'll need
- Proof of age (Florida driver's license, Florida ID, or birth certificate)
- Proof of Miami-Dade County residency (utility bill, lease, or government correspondence)
- For home-delivered meals: documentation of homebound status or qualifying disability (typically a physician's note or a CSD case manager assessment)
Where to apply
Apply online: official application
By phone: 786-469-4707
What to say when you call
"Hello, I'm calling to ask about Miami-Dade Meals for the Elderly (Congregate + Home-Delivered). I'd like to know whether I may qualify, what documents I need, and whether I can apply online, by mail, by phone, or in person. I understand I may need proof of age (Florida driver's license, Florida ID, or birth certificate), proof of Miami-Dade County residency (utility bill, lease, or government correspondence), for home-delivered meals: documentation of homebound status or qualifying disability (typically a physician's note or a CSD case manager assessment) — is anything else required? What is the best next step?"
Tip: have a pen ready, ask for the person's name, and write down any case or reference number they give you.
Renewals
annual reassessment by CSD case manager
Not sure if you qualify? Run a free check first.
Discover my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.