Eligibility Requirements

OAA Title III vs. Kupuna Care

OAA Title III (Older Americans Act Services – Federally Funded)

• Funding Source: Federal funds through the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL).
• Administered by: Local Area Agencies on Aging (AAA).
• Age Requirement: 60 years or older.
• Residency: Must live in Hawai‘i.
• Eligibility: Open to all older adults 60+, with priority for those with greatest economic or social need, minorities, rural residents, and those with limited English proficiency.
• Cost: No cost for services; voluntary contributions are encouraged.

Kupuna Care (City/State Funded – Hawai‘i Executive Office on Aging)

• Funding Source: State of Hawai‘i general funds (supplemented by county/city contributions).
• Administered by: County Area Agencies on Aging (e.g., Elderly Affairs Division on O‘ahu).
• Age Requirement: 60 years or older.
• Residency: Must be a Hawai‘i resident.
• Eligibility: Must have functional needs (frailty or limitations in activities of daily living [ADLs] or instrumental activities of daily living [IADLs]). Does not qualify for Medicaid or other comparable programs.
• Cost: Cost-sharing may apply, based on income and ability to pay.

Key Distinction

• OAA Title III is federal funding meant to ensure basic access to supportive services for all kupuna (priority given to those most in need).
• Kupuna Care is state/county funding designed to provide designed to provide community-based long-term care services to older adults with the goals of remaining at home for as long as possible.

Prioritization

Some services may have waitlists. Priority is given to individuals with the greatest economic or social need and those at risk of institutional placement. Special attention is also given to kūpuna who are financially vulnerable, from minority communities, have limited English proficiency, or live in rural areas.