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Capital Assistance Program for Elderly Persons and Persons
with Disabilities
The Section 5310 program is designed to supplement FTA's other capital assistance programs by
Examples of Funded Projects
A typical project provided $1 million to a State that used the funds to purchase 35 accessible vehicles for 30 local subrecipients throughout the State.
The Department of Transportation's mission is to ensure fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation that meets vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American people, today and into the future.
State- Designated Agency: The Governor in each State has designated a State agency to administer the Section 5310 program.
Program Accomplishments
This special program of assistance was begun in fiscal year 1975, when $20 million was distributed to more than 1,000 private nonprofit organizations to purchase vehicles to transport the elderly and persons with disabilities. Today, nearly 4,000 local subrecipients receive funding, and continuation of this program has enabled thousands of elderly persons and persons with disabilities to achieve greater mobility and independence.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Section 5310 funding may be used for eligible capital expenses needed to provide efficient and coordinated specialized transportation service for elderly persons and persons with disabilities.
Projects must provide for the maximum feasible coordination of transportation services assisted under this section with transportation assisted by other Federal sources and must provide for the maximum feasible participation of private-for-profit operators.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Only designated states may apply for FTA grants.
Eligible sub-recipients include private nonprofit organizations, public bodies approved by the State to coordinate services for elderly persons and persons with disabilities and public bodies which certify to the governor that no nonprofit corporations or associations are readily available in an area to provide the service.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Elderly persons and persons with disabilities.
Credentials/Documentation
The State must be designated by the Governor to administer the program. Projects must be included in the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) approved by FTA and FHWA. Compliance with FTA's annual list of Certifications and Assurances is required. Eligible costs must be in accordance with OMB Circular A-87. The state must submit a program of projects listing all subrecipients and projects in accordance with FTA Circular 9070.1E. FTA annually issues a Federal Register Notice of apportionments, allocations, and program information. For fiscal year 06, the publication date was November 30, 2005. Prior year notices can be found on the FTA website at www.fta.dot.gov/ or by contacting the appropriate FTA Regional office to obtain copies or publication dates.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.
12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance.
Application Procedures
Local agencies should submit application to the State agency designated by the Governor to administer the program. This agency will evaluate, select and approve eligible applicants and submit a program of projects to the Federal Transit Administration. The provisions of 49 CFR Part 18 apply to the State and governmental bodies and 49 CFR Part 19 applies to private nonprofit organizations.
Award Procedures
The Federal Transit Administration approves the State's Program of Projects. An FTA grant award obligating Federal funds us reflected in a grant agreement. To access funds, the State must execute the grant agreement. The State implements grant agreements or other instruments with the subrecipients.
Deadlines
States may submit applications to FTA throughout the fiscal year. Funds are available for obligation for three years, which includes the year funds are apportioned plus two additional years. Local agencies apply to the state as subrecipients on a cycle prescribed by the state agency designed to administer the Section 5310 program.
Authorization
49 U.S.C. 5310.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Each state has its own cycle for subrecipients. In FY 05, FTA obligated Section 5310 formula grants to the States in an average of 4 days after submission of a complete application.
Appeals
Interested persons are afforded the opportunity of a public hearing for capital projects.
Renewals
As determined by the designated State agency.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Funds for this program are allocated among the States by a formula which is based on the population of elderly persons and persons with disabilities in each State according to the latest U.S. Census population figures. Grants may be made for 80 percent of the eligible project costs. SAFETEA-LU allows states eligible for the sliding scale match under under FHWA programs to use that match ratio for section 5310 capital projects. Funds provided under other Federal programs (other than those of the Department of Transportation, with the exception of the Federal Lands Highway Program established by section 204 of Title 23 U.S.C.) may be used as match for capital funds provided under section 5310.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Section 5310 program funds are available to the States for three years, which includes the fiscal year in which they were allocated plus two additional years. Unobligated Section 5310 funds may be transferred to the Section 5311 or Section 5307 programs within the last 90 days of the fiscal year. Any funds not obligated or transferred by the end of the period of availability will be redistributed to all the States by formula in the succeeding fiscal year.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
As requested by the State and Federal agencies administering the program.
States must submit annual status reports and annual financial reports.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations, nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
Recipient is required to retain intact, for 3 years following submission of the final financial report, all contract documents, financial records, and supporting documents with the following qualification: If any litigation, claim or audit is started before the expiration of the 3-year period, the records must be retained until all litigation, claims or audit findings involving the records have been resolved.
Financial Information
Account Identification
69-1129-0-1-401; 69-8350-0-7-401.
Obigations
(Grants) FY 07 $157,781,000; FY 08 est $117,242,000; and FY 09 est $153,805,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Statewide: For FY 2006, $62,456 - $11,687,113.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
FTA Circular 9070.1E, The Elderly and Persons with Disabilities Program Guidance and Application Instructions, dated October 1, 1998.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Appendix IV of the Catalog for the address of Federal Transit Administration's Regional Offices. State- Designated Agency: The Governor in each State has designated a State agency to administer the Section 5310 program.
Headquarters Office
Federal Transit Administration, Office of Program Management, Office of Resource Management and State Programs, 1200 New Jersey Avenue S.E., East Building-Fourth Floor, Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: (202) 493-0175. David Schneider, Program Specialist.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
As described by the State designated agency.
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