For over a decade, annual investments in federal aging services programs not only failed to keep pace with the growth in the number and diversity of older Americans, but also suffered from indiscriminate cuts. Those reductions disproportionately affected vulnerable Americans and struggling communities.
More older adults than ever need assistance and support to make ends meet, a crisis further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The emergency relief provided in response to the pandemic has allowed for assistance to be provided on a scale never seen before, and now aging services programs need continued support to keep up with those demands. Funding for aging services programs, including those of the Older Americans Act (OAA), is a cost-effective investment. Empowering seniors to remain healthy and economically secure in their own homes and communities reduces spending on more costly entitlement programs. Every dollar provided to the aging services network also is leveraged by nearly three dollars in non-federal support.
FY25 federal budget proposals
- Biden's FY25 Budget Proposal and Potential Impact on Older Adults
- NCOA's Aging Program Funding Table tracks proposals for aging services funding for FY23 through FY25 (table updated March 2024)
- NCOA federal budget analysis and issue briefs
- NCOA Action Center provides tools to contact members of Congress to urge support for aging services
Administration FY25 budget request:
- Administration budget request documents (see agency-specific documents and fact sheets on Social Security and Medicare and on health policy)
- Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) budget documents (review the HHS budget in brief narrative and details for each agency request)
- Administration for Community Living (ACL) budget table and congressional justification
- Department of Labor (DOL) budget documents (review the DOL budget in brief narrative that details and key program requests, including SCSEP )
FY24 federal budget proposals
Congressional Dear Colleague Letters advocating for NCOA FY24 priorities:
- Letter led by House Democratic Caucus Task Force on Aging and Families requesting increases for the Medicare State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), signed by 31 representatives
- Letter led by Reps. Lois Frankel and Joseph Morelle requesting an increase for falls prevention programs, signed by 42 representatives
- Letter led by Reps. Suzanne Bonamici and Elise Stefanik requesting increases for OAA Title III programs, signed by 91 representatives
- Letter led by Sen. Chris Murphy requesting an increase for SCSEP, signed by 17 senators
- Letter led by Sen. Chris Murphy requesting an increase for SHIP, signed by 19 senators
- Letter led by Sen. Bernie Sanders requesting increases for OAA programs, signed by 42 senators
Administration FY24 budget request:
- Biden's 2024 Budget Preserves Benefits and Support Services for Older Adults
- Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) budget documents (review the HHS budget in brief narrative and details for each agency request)
- Administration for Community Living (ACL) budget table and congressional justification
- Department of Labor (DOL) budget documents (review the DOL budget in brief narrative that details and key program requests, including SCSEP)
Learn more about the federal budget
- Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO). This coalition of 69 national aging organizations continues to weigh in on several aspects of the budget debate with issue briefs, fact sheets and correspondence to Congressional and Administration leadership.
- Policy Basics: Introduction to the Federal Budget Process. Understand the difference between a budget request and a budget resolution, from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP).
- U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations. Review the Committee’s description of the federal budget process, and the relationship between appropriations and authorizations.
- Congressional Research Service: Introduction to the Federal Budget Process and The Appropriations Process: A Brief Overview. Learn more about the annual budget and appropriations process in these reports from CRS.
- U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO): A Glossary of Terms Used in the Federal Budget Process. Learn about terms used in budget debates with definitions developed by GAO, the Treasury Department, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).
Biden's FY25 Budget
On March 12, the Biden administration released its budget request, calling for critical investments in the health and economic security of older Americans, including $10 million to expand the Direct Care Workforce Strategies Center. See what NCOA is keeping an eye on as lawmakers work toward a final budget.
