SCSEP: A Unique Federal Aging, Community Service, & Workforce Program

The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) provides unemployed low-income older adults with part-time subsidized employment serving the community, improves their well-being, and prepares them for unsubsidized employment. Launched in 1965, SCSEP is authorized by Title V of the Older Americans Act and administered by the USDOL Employment and Training Administration. SCSEP is a required American Job Center partner(§678.400).

What did SCSEP accomplish during PY 2015 (July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016)?

  • 65,081low-income older Americans received paid employment and training opportunities;
  • 51%entered unsubsidized employment after exiting the program;
  • SCSEP participants provided more than 34.8 millionpaid staff hours to20,000 local public and nonprofit agencies, such as American Job Centers, libraries, schools, and senior centers (including 7.6 million hours in aging services and programs);
  • The value of the community service provided by SCSEP participants (using Independent Sector’sestimated value of a volunteer hour) exceeded $820 million, nearly twice the total SCSEP PY2015appropriations of $434.4 million;
  • 88% of participants reported that their physical health is the same or better than before they entered SCSEP, and 72% reported that their outlook on life is a little more or much more positive. (USDOL-funded national survey of 13,451 participants by Charter Oak Group); and
  • 77% of host agencies indicated that participation in SCSEP either significantly (46%) or somewhat (31%) increased their ability to provide services to the community. (USDOL-funded independent national survey of 7,864 agencies by Charter Oak Group).

Who were the SCSEP participants during PY 2015?

  • 88% had family income at or below 100% of federal poverty level and 28% lived in rural areas;
  • 49% were a racial or ethnic minority, 65% were women, and 20% had at least one disability;
  • 32% were 65 or older, including 13% who were 70 years or older;
  • 18% did not have a high school diploma, 39% had a high school diploma, and 43% had one or more years of college; and
  • 13% were veterans or qualified spouses.

All SCSEP participants must be 55 or older, have a family income less than 125% of poverty ($14,850 for family of one in 2016), and legally eligible to work in the U.S. but unable to find a jobwithout assistance or after receiving WIOA services.

AdditionalBackground Information

  • SCSEP is one of only three federal workforce development programs that do not overlap with any other similar program, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (
  • Currently operated by 18 national organizations (including AARP Foundation, Senior Service America, Inc., and National Council on Aging,) awarded competitive grants by USDOL ETA in 2016. Also, 56 state/territorial government agencies (including 18state/territorial workforceagencies) awarded non-competitive SCSEP grants by USDOL ETA.
  • By law, SCSEP administrative costs are low (cannot exceed 13.5% of total expenditures). At least 75% of total funds must be expended on paying wages and benefits to SCSEP participants.
  • SCSEP serves nearly every county in the nation.

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Prepared by Senior Service America Inc.

March 2015