(a) An area agency submits an area plan to the office to be eligible to apply for grants to administer OAA, CSE, and EISEP projects and services described in the plan. The area plan includes any updates, amendments and applications under the plan.

(b) The area plan describes how the area agency develops a comprehensive and coordinated system for the delivery of services to elderly people.

(c) For counties participating in CSE, the area plan describes how the area agency will improve the delivery of community services for the elderly through improved coordination of existing community services and the development of new or expanded community services projects.

(d) For counties participating in EISEP, a portion of the area plan is designated the county home care plan for functionally impaired elderly. The county home care plan for functionally impaired elderly describes how nonmedical in-home services, noninstitutional respite, case management, and ancillary services are made available to functionally impaired elderly in the county.

(e) The area plan applies to a two-, three- or four-year period specified by the office, and is updated annually.

(f) Except as provided in subdivision (g) of this section, an area agency may receive grants from the office only under an approved area plan, and may use such grants only for activities under such approved area plan.

(g) An area agency of a county not yet delivering EISEP services may request EISEP planning funds to develop or revise a county home care plan for functionally impaired elderly by submitting, by September 2, 1986, or April 1st of of any subsequent year, a letter of intent in the form prescribed by the office, evidencing the commitment of the county to develop such county home care plan. Upon approval of such letter of intent, the area agency may receive EISEP planning funds to develop or revise such county home care plan for functionally impaired elderly.