This federal program helps seniors find work—but it may not be around much longer
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America is getting older—and not just in wisdom. For the first time in our nation’s history, there are more Americans over 62 than under 18. Economists say that keeping older adults in the workforce longer is key to a healthy economy.
And if you’re over 60, you know the challenges: age bias, layoffs, and the uphill battle of job hunting in a world that seems to favor the young. In fact, about half of full-time workers in their early 50s lose their jobs involuntarily before they hit 65.
And once out, it’s much harder for older workers to get hired again. Many end up leaving the workforce before they’re ready, not because they want to, but because the doors just aren’t opening.
Since 1965, SCSEP has helped low-income, unemployed Americans aged 55 and up get back on their feet. The program offers on-the-job training at nonprofits and government agencies—think Goodwill, Easterseals, local social services, and Area Agencies on Aging. Participants earn their area’s minimum wage while working part-time, gaining skills and confidence along the way.
To qualify, you need to be unemployed and have an income at or below 125% of the federal poverty level (that’s $19,563 for singles and $26,438 for couples in 2025). Each year, about 40,000 older workers benefit from SCSEP, with most staying in the program for less than two years.
The Department of Labor funds SCSEP through grants to states and 20 national nonprofits, who then partner with local organizations to recruit and train participants. At least 75% of federal funds go directly to wages and benefits for the workers themselves.
For many, it’s a way to pay the bills, stay active, and feel connected to their communities. It’s a chance to learn new skills, regain self-esteem, and sometimes, even find a path out of homelessness or isolation. And when participants move on, many land permanent jobs—up to 38% in the years before the pandemic.
Already, organizations across the country are feeling the pinch. Staff are being furloughed, participants are leaving early, and new applicants are being turned away. The official reason? The White House says SCSEP isn’t moving enough older workers into unsubsidized jobs.
But critics argue this misses the point. SCSEP is designed to help those who face the biggest barriers to employment—people with disabilities, limited English, low literacy, homelessness, or a history of incarceration. Expecting every participant to land a job quickly is unrealistic, given these challenges.
Also read: Proposed budget changes could affect senior services—here’s what to know
It’s a classic Catch-22: The program is criticized for not placing enough people in jobs, but it’s specifically meant for those who have the hardest time finding work in the first place.
This leaves older Americans trapped in a double bind. The administration has also introduced new work requirements for Medicaid and food assistance for adults aged 60 to 64.
So, on one hand, older adults are being told they must work to receive benefits. On the other, the only federal program designed to help them find work is being dismantled.
It’s like being told to climb a ladder after someone’s kicked it out from under you.
The benefits of SCSEP go far beyond job placement. Studies by the Urban Institute show that the program’s benefits outweigh its costs.
Host organizations—nonprofits and government agencies—get much-needed help, and communities are better served. Participants often share what they learn with friends and family, spreading the impact even further.
And let’s not forget the health benefits. Staying active, engaged, and connected is vital for physical and mental well-being as we age. SCSEP participants report better health, improved self-esteem, and a greater sense of purpose.
No program is perfect. SCSEP could use better ways to measure success, like tracking improvements in health and well-being, not just job placements.
The Department of Labor is exploring new approaches, and AmeriCorps is piloting workforce development programs for older adults. But right now, there’s no real alternative to SCSEP.
Read next: Looking for work later in life? Here are 7 smart job-hunting strategies for older adults
Have you participated in SCSEP or a similar program? How has it impacted your life or the life of someone you know? Do you have ideas for how we can better support older workers in America?
And if you’re over 60, you know the challenges: age bias, layoffs, and the uphill battle of job hunting in a world that seems to favor the young. In fact, about half of full-time workers in their early 50s lose their jobs involuntarily before they hit 65.
And once out, it’s much harder for older workers to get hired again. Many end up leaving the workforce before they’re ready, not because they want to, but because the doors just aren’t opening.
What Is SCSEP, and Why Does It Matter?
That’s where the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) comes in—a lifeline for thousands of older Americans. But now, this crucial program is facing extinction, and the consequences could ripple through communities across the country.Since 1965, SCSEP has helped low-income, unemployed Americans aged 55 and up get back on their feet. The program offers on-the-job training at nonprofits and government agencies—think Goodwill, Easterseals, local social services, and Area Agencies on Aging. Participants earn their area’s minimum wage while working part-time, gaining skills and confidence along the way.
To qualify, you need to be unemployed and have an income at or below 125% of the federal poverty level (that’s $19,563 for singles and $26,438 for couples in 2025). Each year, about 40,000 older workers benefit from SCSEP, with most staying in the program for less than two years.
The Department of Labor funds SCSEP through grants to states and 20 national nonprofits, who then partner with local organizations to recruit and train participants. At least 75% of federal funds go directly to wages and benefits for the workers themselves.
For many, it’s a way to pay the bills, stay active, and feel connected to their communities. It’s a chance to learn new skills, regain self-esteem, and sometimes, even find a path out of homelessness or isolation. And when participants move on, many land permanent jobs—up to 38% in the years before the pandemic.
The Trump Administration’s Move: What’s Happening Now?
Now, however, the program’s future is at risk. The Trump administration has not released over $300 million in SCSEP funds for 2025, and it’s proposing to eliminate the program entirely in 2026.Already, organizations across the country are feeling the pinch. Staff are being furloughed, participants are leaving early, and new applicants are being turned away. The official reason? The White House says SCSEP isn’t moving enough older workers into unsubsidized jobs.
But critics argue this misses the point. SCSEP is designed to help those who face the biggest barriers to employment—people with disabilities, limited English, low literacy, homelessness, or a history of incarceration. Expecting every participant to land a job quickly is unrealistic, given these challenges.
Also read: Proposed budget changes could affect senior services—here’s what to know
It’s a classic Catch-22: The program is criticized for not placing enough people in jobs, but it’s specifically meant for those who have the hardest time finding work in the first place.
This leaves older Americans trapped in a double bind. The administration has also introduced new work requirements for Medicaid and food assistance for adults aged 60 to 64.
So, on one hand, older adults are being told they must work to receive benefits. On the other, the only federal program designed to help them find work is being dismantled.
It’s like being told to climb a ladder after someone’s kicked it out from under you.
The benefits of SCSEP go far beyond job placement. Studies by the Urban Institute show that the program’s benefits outweigh its costs.
Host organizations—nonprofits and government agencies—get much-needed help, and communities are better served. Participants often share what they learn with friends and family, spreading the impact even further.
And let’s not forget the health benefits. Staying active, engaged, and connected is vital for physical and mental well-being as we age. SCSEP participants report better health, improved self-esteem, and a greater sense of purpose.
No program is perfect. SCSEP could use better ways to measure success, like tracking improvements in health and well-being, not just job placements.
The Department of Labor is exploring new approaches, and AmeriCorps is piloting workforce development programs for older adults. But right now, there’s no real alternative to SCSEP.
Read next: Looking for work later in life? Here are 7 smart job-hunting strategies for older adults
