Easterseals CEO Urges Action After Funding Halt Threatens Jobs for Seniors

WASHINGTON—Easterseals President and CEO Kendra Davenport spoke with Bloomberg about the severe consequences of the Department of Labor’s abrupt pause in funding for the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), the only federal workforce program dedicated to helping low-income Americans age 55 and older find jobs.

This pause comes as tens of thousands of seniors must meet new work requirements to keep Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits under the newly signed federal budget.

“Some 40,000 low-income seniors are about to lose their jobs due to the unexplained pause in grant payments from SCSEP, taking a very real toll on their lives,” said Davenport.

SCSEP connects older adults with community service roles, job training and pathways to financial stability. For many, the program is a critical lifeline, not only for income, but also for dignity, purpose, and independence.

As a long-time national SCSEP grantee, Easterseals said it remains committed to advocating for older workers, many of whom face barriers to employment, housing and health care.

“These are people who want to improve their circumstances; they simply need help and guidance to do so,” said Davenport.