FEDERAL AGENCY:

FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

AUTHORIZATION:

49 U.S.C. 5310.

To provide financial assistance in meeting the transportation needs of elderly persons and persons with disabilities where public transportation services are unavailable, insufficient or inappropriate. The Section 5310 program is designed to supplement FTA's other capital assistance programs by funding transportation projects for elderly persons and persons with disabilities in all areas - urbanized, small urban, and rural.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Formula Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

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:   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 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:   Costs will be determined in accordance with The Elderly and Persons with Disabilities Program Guidance and Application Instructions (FTA Circular 9070.1E) issued on October 1, 1998, and subsequent updates (based on OMB Circular No. A-87). The documents and procedures required of applicants are specified in the above guidance. Federal Register Notice "FTA Fiscal Year 2001 Apportionments, Allocations, and Program Information" contains the elderly and persons with disabilities apportionments in Table 6. For fiscal year 2000, the publication date was January 18, 2001. For other fiscal years, contact the FTA Regional Office to obtain the publication dates. FTA website: www.fta.dot.gov/library/legal.

Pre-application 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. The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by 49 CFR Parts 18 or Part 19 must be used for this program.

Application Procedure:   Applicant 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 Procedure:   The Federal Transit Administration approves the State's Program of Projects. FTA is responsible for providing notification of approval to the State-designated agency.

Deadlines:   As prescribed by the State agency designated to administer the Section 5310 program.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   As prescribed by the State agency designated to administer the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities program. FTA approves grants on a quarterly release cycle.

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. Vehicle related equipment required to comply with ADA or the Clean Air Act may be funded at 90 percent Federal share.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Section 5310 program funds are available to the States only in the fiscal year in which they were allocated. 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 fiscal year 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 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 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.

Obligations:   (Grants) FY 01 $174,788,000; FY 02 est $84,605,000; and FY 03 est $87,029,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   Not applicable.

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. Continuation of this program has enabled thousands of elderly persons and persons with disabilities to achieve greater mobility and independence.

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, 400 7th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: (202) 366-2053. Sue Masselink, Program Coordinator, (202) 366-1630.

Web Site Address:   http://www.fta.dot.gov

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.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

As described by the State designated agency.