Employment Programs for Seniors Budget Seniors, March 15, 2026March 15, 2026 💼 🌟 SCSEP: The Federal Program That Pays You to Train for a Real Job — A Complete Guide for Adults 55 and Older SCSEP is the only federal workforce program built exclusively for older Americans. It pays you at least minimum wage while you gain skills at a nonprofit or government agency — then helps you land a permanent job. This guide covers every rule, every contact, and what you need to know about the program’s current status before you apply. 📞 Apply by Phone — Free 1-855-850-2525 AARP Foundation SCSEP Work Resources Helpline. Mon–Fri, 9am–6pm ET. Bilingual (English & Spanish). Confidential. Checks your eligibility and connects you to the nearest available placement. The fastest way to start. 💰 75¢ of Every Dollar to Workers $399M — 75% to Wages $398,925,000 was available for SCSEP in Program Year 2025 (DOL TEGL 16-24). By law, 75% of all SCSEP funding goes directly to participant wages and benefits — not administration. This is one of the most efficient uses of federal workforce funding. 🏥 Health Outcomes 90%+ Healthier While Working More than 90% of surveyed SCSEP participants reported the same or better physical health while working in the program (NCOA/DOL PY2020 survey). 76% reported a better outlook on life. Working is healing — this program proves it. 📋 10 Key Takeaways — Everything You Need to Know About SCSEP #What to KnowThe Short Answer 1 SCSEP is the only federal job program exclusively for older Americans Created in 1965 under the Older Americans Act, SCSEP is still the only federally funded workforce program targeted exclusively at adults 55 and older. It has operated continuously for nearly 60 years — surviving four presidential administrations that proposed cutting it. 2 You get paid from day one, before landing a permanent job SCSEP pays you at least minimum wage — whichever is highest among federal, state, or local rates — for 20 hours of training per week at a nonprofit or government host agency. You earn real income while building skills and a work history. 3 The income threshold is higher than most people expect You qualify if your household income is at or below 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Critically, SSI and SSDI do not count toward this threshold at all, and only 75% of Social Security retirement income is counted. Many seniors who assume they earn too much actually qualify. 4 Veterans and spouses get first priority for enrollment Veterans and qualified spouses of veterans receive enrollment priority over all other groups. Second priority goes to adults 65 and older, then to people with disabilities, limited English, rural residents, and those who are homeless or have poor employment prospects. 5 SCSEP wages do not count against your SNAP or federal housing benefits Congress specifically exempted SCSEP training wages from income eligibility calculations for federal housing programs and SNAP (food stamps). You will not lose your food assistance or housing voucher because you started earning through SCSEP. 6 SCSEP was frozen in mid-2025 — but it has since resumed operations A DOL funding delay paused SCSEP operations for national grantees from July to October 2025. National Able Network announced resumed operations on October 30, 2025. ACC Senior Services resumed October 27, 2025. The program is currently operating and accepting new applicants — but call ahead to confirm availability in your area. 7 The program faces a real political threat beyond June 2026 The White House proposed eliminating SCSEP entirely for the 2026–2027 program year. The Senate Appropriations Committee rejected this and voted to fund SCSEP at $395 million (bipartisan support). The program is currently funded through June 30, 2026. Its future after that is contested in Congress. 8 Three-quarters of enrolled participants successfully move to permanent jobs SCSEP is specifically designed as a bridge — not a permanent program. It provides a paid on-ramp to unsubsidized employment. Participants build recent work history, references, skills, and employer connections that make them credible candidates in a job market that can overlook older workers. 9 An Individual Employment Plan maps your specific path to a real job Every SCSEP participant gets a personalized Individual Employment Plan (IEP) developed with a trained counselor. It identifies your skills, career goals, and the specific training, host agency placement, and employer connections needed to get you from where you are to where you want to be. 10 Enrolled participants are better protected during funding disruptions than waitlist applicants When the 2025 funding freeze hit, people actively enrolled in SCSEP placements had stronger legal standing and were prioritized for reinstatement over those still waiting to be placed. Apply and get enrolled now — do not wait for the perfect moment. Sources: DOL/ETA (dol.gov TEGL 16-24): $398,925,000 PY2025, 75% to wages, 19 national grantees. NCOA (ncoa.org): 90%+ health outcomes, 76% better outlook. National Able Network (nationalable.org, Oct 30 2025): operations resumed. ACC (accsv.org, Nov 5 2025): participants returned Oct 27. Goodwill Industries (Aug 2025): Senate $395M proposal. Port City Daily (Dec 2025): funded through remainder of 2025-2026 FY. BudgetSeniors.com (Mar 2026): SSI/SSDI exclusion, SS 75% rule, $399M. DOL FY2026 Budget: proposed elimination. Democracy Forward (Sep 2025): lawsuit, 30,000 participants affected. 🎁 What SCSEP Actually Gives You — The Full Package This Is Not Just a Job Listing Service A Paycheck + Skills + Health Screening + Job Placement Most job programs hand you a resume template and a list of job boards. SCSEP puts money in your pocket on day one, gives you a working supervisor who will write you a reference, trains you in specific skills your target employer wants, provides an annual health exam, and assigns a counselor to help you land a permanent job. It is the only program of its kind for older Americans. 💵 Weekly Paycheck Minimum Wage or Higher Paid at the highest of federal, state, or local minimum wage. 20 hours per week from your first week of placement. Real income — not a stipend or gift card. 📋 Individual Employment Plan Personalized Career Roadmap A trained counselor sits down with you to document your skills, goals, and the specific steps — training, placement, certifications, employer contacts — to get you to permanent work. 🩺 Annual Physical Exam Free Health Checkup Included SCSEP provides an annual health screening to all active participants — a benefit almost no other workforce program offers. Staying healthy while working is built into the program design. 🎓 Skills Training On-the-Job + Certificate Options Training happens at your host agency placement — libraries, hospitals, schools, senior centers — plus specialized skills courses depending on your IEP goals. Computer skills, customer service, healthcare support, and more. 🤝 Supportive Services Help Removing Barriers to Work Transportation assistance, work clothing, access to community programs, benefits counseling, and help applying for other services you may need. SCSEP addresses the real-world obstacles that keep seniors unemployed. 💼 Job Placement Assistance Employer Connections and Referrals SCSEP counselors actively connect participants with employers willing to hire. Some host agencies directly hire their own SCSEP trainees. Access to American Job Centers and employer networks is included. Sources: DOL/ETA (dol.gov): SCSEP program services overview. NCOA (ncoa.org): health screenings, IEP process. Maryland Labor: supportive services description. WorkforceGPS (olderworkers.workforcegps.org): training options. CWI Works: 7,000+ annual participants, employer connections. ✅ Am I Eligible? Complete SCSEP Requirements Explained 💡 More People Qualify Than Expect To The income threshold is calculated after important exclusions. SSI and SSDI payments are excluded entirely. Social Security retirement income is counted at only 75% of its value. This means a senior receiving $1,200/month in Social Security retirement has only $900 counted toward the income limit. Run the numbers with a SCSEP counselor before assuming you do not qualify — many people are surprised by the result. RequirementWhat It MeansImportant Details Age 55 or older You must be at least 55 on the date you apply No maximum age. Adults 65+ get second priority for enrollment. There is no upper age cut-off anywhere in SCSEP regulations. Unemployed Not currently holding a job Part-time gig income may still allow eligibility in some cases — ask your local SCSEP office about your specific situation before ruling yourself out. Income at or below 125% FPG Household income at or below $19,100/year for a single person (approx. 2025) SSI and SSDI excluded entirely. Only 75% of Social Security retirement counts. SCSEP wages themselves are exempt from SNAP and federal housing income calculations once you are enrolled. Legally eligible to work in U.S. Standard federal work authorization U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and other authorized categories. Same documentation you would use for any job application. Poor employment prospects Considered a barrier to employment Age itself, long unemployment gaps, limited recent work history, and living at low income all generally meet this criterion. Most applicants at or below 125% FPG automatically qualify on this dimension. 🎖️ Priority Enrollment Groups — Who Gets In First When SCSEP capacity is limited, enrollment priority is given in this order: Veterans and qualified spouses of veterans — First priority. If you served in the military or are the spouse of a veteran, bring your DD-214 to your application interview. Adults age 65 and older — Second priority. If you are 65+, you move to the front of the line after veterans. People with disabilities — Third tier. A documented disability qualifies you for elevated priority. Limited English proficiency or low literacy — Those who face these employment barriers also receive priority placement. Rural residents — About 16% of SCSEP participants come from rural areas. Living in a rural area is an enrollment priority factor. Homeless or at risk of homelessness — Housing instability is explicitly recognized as a severe barrier and elevates your priority. Those who have already tried other workforce programs without success — If you have been through American Job Center programs and still need help, SCSEP recognizes this as a priority factor. Sources: DOL WorkforceGPS (olderworkers.workforcegps.org, confirmed): full eligibility and priority group list. NCOA (ncoa.org): participant demographics — 8% veterans, 16% rural. BudgetSeniors.com (Mar 2026): SS 75% rule, SSI/SSDI exclusion. HHS ASPE: 2025 Federal Poverty Guidelines. 🏢 Where You Train — Host Agency Types and What You Actually Do SCSEP does not place you in a factory or warehouse. Host agencies are community-benefit organizations that genuinely need your help. Your placement is matched to your Individual Employment Plan — the type of work you do should build directly toward the permanent job you want. 📚 Libraries Administrative / Public Service Cataloging, patron assistance, computer training support, event coordination. Quiet, respectful environment. Excellent for building modern office skills and references. 🏥 Hospitals and Clinics Healthcare Support Roles Patient check-in, medical records assistance, administrative coordination. High-value experience for those targeting healthcare careers. Employers recognize health system work history. 🏠 Senior Centers Social Services / Programs Activity coordination, nutrition programs, transportation scheduling. Often leads directly to paid employment within the senior services sector. Deeply meaningful daily work. 🏫 Schools Education Support Classroom aide, office assistant, after-school program support. Strong background check required. Excellent references from school principals carry significant weight with future employers. 🍎 Food Banks Logistics / Client Services Inventory management, ordering systems, client intake and distribution. Builds tangible logistics, data entry, and customer service skills in a highly mission-driven environment. 🏛️ Government Offices Public Administration City clerk offices, parks departments, council on aging staff support. Government experience is highly transferable and can open doors to permanent federal, state, or local positions. 💡 The OJE Option — On-the-Job Experience With a Real Employer SCSEP offers an “On-the-Job Experience (OJE)” option where the program pays part — or sometimes all — of a trainee’s wages while they train directly for a specific employer’s needs. This is the closest SCSEP comes to a direct job trial: the employer gets to see your work before committing to a hire, and you get a current paid work history with a specific employer on your resume. If you are hoping for a direct transition to a specific company or sector, ask your SCSEP counselor specifically about OJE opportunities in your target field. Sources: DOL WorkforceGPS: host agency types (day-care, senior centers, schools, hospitals confirmed). NCOA Learn & Work Ecosystem Library (Oct 2025): host agency examples — Julia Davis Library St. Louis, Western Maryland Food Bank, Pender County Humane Society. Maryland Labor: government office placements. BudgetSeniors.com (Mar 2026): OJE program description. 🚨 Current Program Status — What You Need to Know Before Applying ⚠️ Honest Warning — SCSEP Faces Real Uncertainty No responsible guide to SCSEP in 2026 can skip this. The program experienced an unprecedented funding freeze from July through October 2025 that furloughed approximately 30,000 participants nationwide. It has since resumed operations. The program is currently funded through June 30, 2026. Its future after that is politically contested — the White House proposed eliminating SCSEP entirely for the 2026–2027 program year, though the Senate (with bipartisan support) voted to continue it at $395 million. The program is operating right now. Apply today — enrolled participants are better protected than those still on waitlists if another disruption occurs. Timeline EventWhat HappenedCurrent Status July 1, 2025 DOL did not release $300M+ in national grantee funds despite Congressional approval in March 2025 Approximately 30,000 participants furloughed or placed on leave nationwide. 800+ at NAPCA, 400+ at Goodwill Industries, 96 in Ohio alone (Rep. Sykes letter). July–Aug 2025 DOL issued a one-month performance extension using PY2024 funds; Senate Appropriations voted to continue SCSEP at $395M Bipartisan rejection of White House elimination proposal. DOL indicated SCSEP expected to be funded through June 30, 2026. September 2025 Democracy Forward filed class action lawsuit in U.S. District Court (Massachusetts) on behalf of 4 participants representing ~30,000 Lawsuit alleged DOL unlawfully withheld Congressional-approved funds for PY2025 (July 2025–June 2026). October 27–30, 2025 National Able Network and ACC Senior Services received formal DOL authorization; participants returned to host agencies SCSEP officially RESUMED operations. Accepting new applicants. Oct 27 (ACC Sacramento/Sonoma/Solano-Napa), Nov 9–10 (National Able Network sites). December 2025 Remaining grantees confirmed funding released; United Way Cape Fear confirmed 35–40 seniors returned to work Program fully operational for remainder of PY2025 (through June 30, 2026). Accepting new applicants at most locations. After June 30, 2026 White House proposed full elimination; Senate voted to continue; outcome still politically contested Future uncertain. NCOA, AARP Foundation, and congressional advocates actively fighting to protect SCSEP. Apply now — do not wait. Sources: CNN Business (Jul 29 2025): $300M freeze, 30,000 participants, Goodwill 400+ on leave, NAPCA 800+ furloughed. Rep. Sykes (Jul 2025): 96 Ohio seniors, 7 providers paused. DOL: one-month performance extension. Democracy Forward / Newsweek (Sep 19 2025): class action lawsuit, Massachusetts. Goodwill Industries (Aug 18 2025): Senate $395M vote. National Able Network (Oct 30 2025): operations resumed. ACC Senior Services (Nov 5 2025): participants returned. Port City Daily (Oct 31, Dec 2025): funding released, 35–40 back to work, continues through 2025-2026 FY. BudgetSeniors.com (Mar 2026): current status confirmed. NY SOFA (Jul 2025): elimination proposed effective July 1, 2026. 📝 How to Apply for SCSEP — Step by Step Check your rough eligibility before calling. You need to be 55 or older, unemployed, legally authorized to work in the U.S., and have household income at or below 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Remember: SSI and SSDI are excluded entirely from your income calculation. Only 75% of Social Security retirement counts. If you receive about $1,500/month in Social Security, approximately $1,125 counts toward the threshold. If unsure — call anyway. SCSEP counselors run these numbers every day. Choose your contact pathway. Four options: (A) Call AARP Foundation at 1-855-850-2525 — Mon–Fri, 9am–6pm ET, bilingual, free, confidential. (B) Use the AARP Foundation online locator at my.aarpfoundation.org/locator/scsep to find the nearest office by ZIP code. (C) Call NCOA through 1-800-373-4906. (D) Call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 and ask to be connected to your state aging agency's SCSEP program. Always call more than one grantee if the first has a waitlist — national and state grantees often operate independently in the same area. Gather your documents before your intake appointment. Standard documents needed: government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport), Social Security card or the number, proof of income (Social Security award letter, bank statement, or benefit verification), proof of residence (utility bill or government mail), and proof of age. Veterans: bring your DD-214 discharge papers — this secures first-priority enrollment. Documents can usually be provided as clear phone photos rather than originals. Complete your eligibility intake and Individual Employment Plan (IEP). A trained SCSEP counselor will verify your eligibility, assess your work history, skills, goals, and any barriers to employment. Together you create a written IEP that identifies your target job type, the host agency placement that builds toward it, and the steps and timeline from training to permanent employment. This is a collaborative conversation, not an interrogation. Begin your paid host agency placement. Once your IEP is finalized, you are matched with a local nonprofit or government host agency. You start showing up, doing real work, earning a paycheck, and building the current work history, skills, and references that employers look for. Your SCSEP coordinator stays in contact throughout. Work the whole program, not just the first step. SCSEP provides up to 48 months of participation. Use every resource available: resume help, interview coaching, skills training, employer connections, and benefits counseling. The goal is unsubsidized employment — a real permanent job. When that happens, SCSEP counts it as a success, and you gain financial independence. Sources: AARP Foundation (my.aarpfoundation.org/locator/scsep, confirmed): 1-855-850-2525, bilingual, Mon–Fri 9am–6pm ET. DOL: 48-month participation, IEP requirements. BudgetSeniors.com (Mar 2026): SS 75% rule, SSI/SSDI exclusion, document guidance, multi-grantee advice. NCOA: 1-800-373-4906, 24 offices. 📞 SCSEP Grantees and Contact Numbers — Who to Call 🗂️ How the Program Is Organized — Two Types of Grantees SCSEP is delivered through two parallel systems: national nonprofit grantees (about 75% of the program, run by organizations like AARP Foundation and NCOA) and state government grantees (about 25%, run by state aging or labor departments). Both serve the same population under the same rules, and both may operate simultaneously in your area. If one grantee has a waitlist or paused operations, contact the other. Always check with at least two different grantees in your area. 🔴 AARP Foundation — Largest National Grantee 1-855-850-2525 Mon–Fri 9am–6pm ET. Bilingual, free, confidential. $46.9M DOL grant. Operates in all 50 states. Also find your nearest office at my.aarpfoundation.org/locator/scsep. 🟡 NCOA — National Council on Aging 1-800-373-4906 24 SCSEP offices across U.S. and Puerto Rico. $38.7M DOL grant PY2024. Also offers free BenefitsCheckUp at benefitscheckup.org screening 2,000+ programs. Manages Pathstone sub-grantees. 🟢 Eldercare Locator — State Grantee Routing 1-800-677-1116 Mon–Fri 8am–9pm ET. Ask specifically to be connected to your state's SCSEP-administering agency (state Dept. of Aging or Dept. of Labor). Routes to the state grantee covering ~25% of SCSEP nationally. 🔵 Goodwill Industries — National Grantee goodwill.org/scsep One of the major national grantees, operating SCSEP in many states alongside state grantees. Find your nearest Goodwill SCSEP office at goodwill.org or call your local Goodwill directly. 400+ participants affected in 2025 pause. 🟣 American Job Centers — Free Job Help 1-877-872-5627 2,500+ locations nationwide. Partnered with SCSEP. Free resume assistance, job listings, skills training, and employer connections. Find your nearest center at careeronestop.org. SCSEP IEPs direct access to AJC services. 🟤 DOL Employment and Training Administration dol.gov/agencies/eta/seniors Official DOL SCSEP information page. Full program rules, state-by-state grantee directory, and policy guidance. For official SCSEP regulations: 20 CFR Part 641. Congressional contact for advocacy: senate.gov/senators. Sources: AARP Foundation (aarp.org/aarp-foundation, confirmed): 1-855-850-2525, $46.9M grant. NCOA (ncoa.org): 1-800-373-4906, $38.7M grant PY2024, 24 offices. Eldercare Locator (acl.gov): 1-800-677-1116, Mon–Fri 8am–9pm. Goodwill Industries (goodwill.org): national grantee, 150+ local organizations. CareerOneStop (careeronestop.org): 2,500+ AJC locations. DOL/ETA (dol.gov/agencies/eta/seniors): official program page, 20 CFR Part 641. ❓ Frequently Asked Questions Will SCSEP Wages Reduce My Social Security Benefits? ▼ It depends on your age. If you are already at your full retirement age (67 for anyone born in 1960 or later), you can earn any amount through SCSEP without your Social Security retirement benefits being reduced. If you are under full retirement age and receiving Social Security retirement benefits, Social Security reduces your benefits by $1 for every $2 earned above the annual earnings threshold — which was approximately $22,320 in 2025. SCSEP participants working 20 hours per week at minimum wage typically earn well below that threshold, so most participants do not trigger the earnings test. However, SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is different: SSI reduces benefits based on earned income using its own formula. Before you start receiving SCSEP wages, ask your SCSEP employment specialist to connect you with a benefits counselor who can run your specific numbers. Most SCSEP programs have one. The NCOA's free BenefitsCheckUp tool at benefitscheckup.org also shows the impact of new income on all programs you currently receive. Sources: SSA (ssa.gov): earnings test, FRA age 67 for born 1960+, $22,320 threshold (2025). BudgetSeniors.com (Mar 2026): Social Security earnings test and SCSEP context. NCOA: BenefitsCheckUp tool. Will SCSEP Wages Affect My Medicaid Eligibility? ▼ Possibly, in some states. Unlike SNAP and federal housing programs — where SCSEP wages are explicitly excluded from income calculations — Medicaid eligibility is determined at the state level and does not have the same federal exemption for SCSEP wages. If your total income rises above your state's Medicaid eligibility threshold because of SCSEP wages, you could technically be affected. In practice, SCSEP participants working 20 hours per week at minimum wage often remain below their state's Medicaid income limits — especially seniors who qualify for dual Medicare+Medicaid coverage. Before you start your SCSEP placement, ask your program counselor to connect you with a benefits counselor for a free, personalized review. This is one of the supportive services SCSEP explicitly provides. Do not make assumptions — verify your specific situation first. Sources: BudgetSeniors.com (Mar 2026): Medicaid state-level analysis, benefits counselor recommendation. Maryland Labor (labor.maryland.gov): SNAP and federal housing exemption confirmed (not Medicaid). NCOA: BenefitsCheckUp tool for income impact analysis. Is SCSEP Still Available? How Do I Know if My State Is Currently Operating? ▼ Yes — SCSEP is currently operating in most states as of March 2026. Following the funding freeze of July–October 2025, National Able Network officially resumed operations on October 30, 2025, and ACC Senior Services resumed participant placements on October 27, 2025. Port City Daily confirmed funding was released by December 2025 and the program would continue for the remainder of the 2025–2026 fiscal year. However, local availability can vary — some grantees may still be catching up from the pause. The most reliable way to check your state: call AARP Foundation at 1-855-850-2525 (Mon–Fri 9am–6pm ET) and tell them your ZIP code. They will tell you immediately whether there is capacity in your area and which grantee is accepting applicants. Also call 1-800-677-1116 (Eldercare Locator) and ask for your state grantee's SCSEP office. Calling both gives you the most complete picture. Sources: National Able Network (Oct 30 2025): formal DOL authorization received, operations resumed. ACC Senior Services (Nov 5 2025): participants returned Oct 27. Port City Daily (Dec 2025): funding confirmed released. AARP Foundation: 1-855-850-2525 for real-time availability. BudgetSeniors.com (Mar 2026): current status as of writing. How Long Can I Stay in SCSEP? What Is the 48-Month Rule? ▼ By statute, individual SCSEP participation is capped at 48 months (four years) of cumulative participation across your entire lifetime — not just within one grantee. This means if you participated in SCSEP years ago, those months count toward your lifetime limit. If you are approaching or have reached 48 months, an extension can be authorized in specific circumstances defined in the Older Americans Act, but these are not routine. The 48-month limit is one reason not to delay applying if you need this program. The most effective use of SCSEP is to enter when you genuinely need employment support, engage fully with your IEP, and transition to unsubsidized employment as quickly as your circumstances allow — leaving months in reserve for future use if needed. Most participants transition to permanent employment well within 24 months. The 48-month limit exists to ensure the program can serve as many seniors as possible over time. Sources: DOL/ETA (dol.gov, 20 CFR Part 641): 48-month cumulative limit, extension authority. WorkforceGPS (olderworkers.workforcegps.org): “Individual participation is limited to 48 months.” NY Office for the Aging (aging.ny.gov): program rules confirmed. What Happens After SCSEP? Is There Any Job Guarantee? ▼ SCSEP does not guarantee a specific job — it guarantees the training, skills, current work experience, and placement support that make you a genuinely competitive candidate in the job market. The program's measured outcome is “unsubsidized employment” — a real permanent job with a private employer, nonprofit, or government agency that pays you without any federal subsidy. The most common pathways from SCSEP to permanent employment include: direct hire by your host agency (many nonprofits and government agencies hire their SCSEP trainees when they need staff), referral by your SCSEP counselor to an employer they have a relationship with, On-the-Job Experience (OJE) placement that becomes permanent, and independent job applications using the current resume and references your SCSEP host agency provides. Your counselor is required by program rules to actively assist you in pursuing unsubsidized employment throughout your participation — not just at the end. Sources: DOL WorkforceGPS: unsubsidized employment as primary performance measure. CWI Works (cwiworks.org): employer quote on SCSEP-trained workers. NCOA: IEP employment goal tracking. BudgetSeniors.com (Mar 2026): OJE pathway to permanent hire. Can I Work at a Job I Would Actually Like, or Is SCSEP Limited to Certain Fields? ▼ SCSEP is intentionally broad in what it covers. The regulation requires that your host agency placement align with your Individual Employment Plan — meaning the work you do should build toward the type of job you actually want. Host agency types include libraries, schools, hospitals, senior centers, food banks, government offices, parks departments, housing agencies, legal aid offices, arts organizations, and more. The training sites your SCSEP program has access to depend on what host agencies in your area have signed up as partners. If the specific type of work you want is not available in your immediate area, tell your counselor — grantees periodically recruit new host agencies based on participant needs. The program also offers the On-the-Job Experience option where training occurs directly at a private employer in your target field. The bottom line: SCSEP is designed around your IEP, and your IEP is designed around your goals. The program is at its best when you are specific about what you are working toward. Sources: DOL/ETA: host agency diversity, IEP alignment requirement. NCOA Learn & Work Library (Oct 2025): host agency examples. Maryland Labor: diverse placement sectors including retail, hospitals, government. BudgetSeniors.com (Mar 2026): IEP goal-setting process. What Can I Do to Help Save SCSEP if It Faces Elimination? ▼ Advocacy by real people is among the most effective tools available. Congressional offices literally count constituent contacts — letters, calls, and emails from people in their districts carry significant weight, especially on programs that affect a specific and recognizable population. Write a personal letter to your U.S. Representative and both Senators. Find their contact information at house.gov and senate.gov. Describe your personal experience with or need for SCSEP — one specific paragraph about a real person carries more weight than a form letter. Target members of the House Education and Workforce Committee and the Senate HELP (Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions) Committee in particular. Share your story with NCOA or AARP Foundation. Both organizations are actively collecting participant testimonials to present to Congress. A well-told story from a real person can be used in testimony and advocacy materials that reach lawmakers. Contact your local newspaper. Local media coverage of SCSEP participants and the impact of program cuts reaches congressional offices faster than most people realize. A letter to the editor or a call to your local reporter covering senior issues can generate coverage that matters. Support Democracy Forward's legal effort. The class action lawsuit filed in Massachusetts is pursuing SCSEP restoration through the courts. Visit democracyforward.org for updates. Sources: BudgetSeniors.com (Mar 2026): advocacy advice, HELP Committee targeting. NCOA (ncoa.org): testimonial collection. Democracy Forward (democracyforward.org): class action status. Goodwill (Aug 2025): bipartisan Senate vote context. 🔍 Am I Eligible for SCSEP? Quick Checker Answer two quick questions for a personalized recommendation on your eligibility and best next step. 🔍 SCSEP Eligibility Finder Which best describes your income situation? — Select your income situation — I receive SSI, SNAP/EBT, or Medicaid — clearly low income I receive Social Security retirement benefits as my main income I receive SSDI (disability) as my main income I have mixed income: Social Security plus some work or pension I am not sure if my income is low enough My income is likely above 125% of the poverty line Which describes your employment situation? — Select your situation — I am a veteran or the spouse of a veteran I am 65 or older and unemployed I am 55–64 and unemployed I am working part-time and need more income or skills I recently lost a job or was laid off 🔍 Check My Eligibility and Next Step 📍 Find SCSEP and Employment Help Near You Allow location access when prompted for the most accurate nearby results. Each button searches for a specific type of SCSEP or employment resource in your area. 🏛️ Find SCSEP Office Near Me 🟡 Find AARP Foundation SCSEP Near Me 💼 Find American Job Center Near Me ♻️ Find Goodwill SCSEP Near Me 🎪 Find Senior Job Fair or Hiring Event 🎖️ Find Veteran Employment Services Near Me 🏢 Find State Agency on Aging Near Me Finding SCSEP resources near you… ✅ Key Takeaways — SCSEP Senior Employment Program SCSEP pays you while you train. Age 55+, household income ≤125% of Federal Poverty Guidelines, unemployed. Paid at least minimum wage for 20 hours/week at a nonprofit or government host agency. SSI and SSDI are excluded from income; only 75% of Social Security retirement counts. 75% of every SCSEP dollar goes directly to participant wages. This is one of the most efficient federal workforce programs. $398.9 million was available in Program Year 2025 (DOL). SCSEP wages are exempt from SNAP and federal housing income calculations. You will not lose your food stamps or federal housing assistance because you started earning through SCSEP. (Verify Medicaid impact separately with a benefits counselor.) SCSEP is currently operating after a 2025 pause. Funding was restored by late October 2025 at major grantees and by December 2025 nationwide. Apply now. Enrolled participants are better protected than those on waitlists if additional disruptions occur. The program is funded through June 30, 2026. Its future after that is politically contested. NCOA, AARP Foundation, and bipartisan congressional allies are actively fighting to preserve it. Veterans get first-priority enrollment. Adults 65+ get second priority. Bring your DD-214 to your intake appointment if you are a veteran — it moves you to the front of every waitlist. Call AARP Foundation first: 1-855-850-2525. Mon–Fri 9am–6pm ET. Bilingual, free, confidential. The fastest way to confirm availability in your ZIP code and start your application. ⚕️ Disclaimer This widget is provided for educational and informational reference only — it is not legal, employment, or financial advice. SCSEP eligibility requirements, program availability, funding status, and contact information are subject to change. The program experienced significant funding disruptions in 2025 and its future beyond June 30, 2026 is politically uncertain. Always verify current program status and availability directly with your local SCSEP grantee before making plans based on any information in this guide. BudgetSeniors.com is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Labor, AARP Foundation, NCOA, Goodwill Industries, or any government agency. Primary sources: DOL/ETA (dol.gov TEGL 16-24, confirmed): $398,925,000 PY2025, 75% to wages, 19 national grantees, 48-month limit, 20 CFR Part 641. DOL FY2026 Budget (dol.gov/budget/2026): proposed elimination for FY2026-2027. NCOA (ncoa.org, confirmed): 90%+ health outcomes, 76% better outlook, participant demographics, 24 offices, $38.7M grant. AARP Foundation (aarp.org/aarp-foundation, confirmed): 1-855-850-2525, $46.9M grant, bilingual. WorkforceGPS/DOL (olderworkers.workforcegps.org): 60,000+ seniors served annually, eligibility and priority groups. CNN Business (Jul 29 2025): $300M freeze, 30,000 participants, Goodwill 400+ on leave. Democracy Forward / Newsweek (Sep 19 2025): class action lawsuit Massachusetts, 30,000 participants. Rep. Sykes (Jul 2025): 96 Ohio seniors, 7 providers. Goodwill Industries (Aug 18 2025): Senate $395M vote, bipartisan. National Able Network (nationalable.org, Oct 30 2025): operations resumed Nov 9-10. ACC Senior Services (accsv.org, Nov 5 2025): participants returned Oct 27. Port City Daily (Oct 31, Dec 2025): funding released, program continues through 2025-2026 FY. NY SOFA (aging.ny.gov, Jul 2025): proposed elimination effective Jul 1 2026. Maryland Labor (labor.maryland.gov): SCSEP wages exempt SNAP + federal housing. BudgetSeniors.com (Mar 2026): SS 75% rule, SSI/SSDI exclusion, Medicaid caveat, OJE description, current status. HHS ASPE: 2025 FPG tables. CareerOneStop (careeronestop.org): 2,500+ AJC locations, 1-877-872-5627. NICOA (nicoa.org): 65,170 participants (2017 data), 75% to wages confirmed. Eldercare Locator (acl.gov): 1-800-677-1116. NCOA Learn & Work Library (Oct 2025): host agency examples, OJE option. Recommended Reads Jobs for Seniors Near Me / SCSEP AARP Membership Special Offers AARP Membership Discounts AARP Membership AAA Senior Discount Membership vs AARP 12 Free Tax Filing for Low Income Blog