Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)

About This Program

The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is the only federally funded employment training program specifically designed for low-income adults age 55 and older. SCSEP places participants in part-time, subsidized work experience positions at nonprofit organizations and public agencies — schools, libraries, community action agencies, senior centers, and similar settings — where they gain skills and build confidence while performing valuable community service. Participants are paid at least the federal or state minimum wage (whichever is higher) for up to 20 hours per week. The program provides not just wages during training but also assessment, job counseling, assistance with education and training, and help with job placement into unsubsidized employment. Many participants enter SCSEP with long gaps in employment history or skills gaps from working in industries that have changed or disappeared. To qualify, participants must be at least 55 years old, unemployed, and have a household income at or below 125% of the federal poverty level. Priority is given to individuals over 60, veterans, people with disabilities, those who have been unemployed the longest, and those with the greatest economic need. SCSEP is authorized by the Older Americans Act and funded by the Department of Labor. The program is administered through national grantees (including AARP Foundation, National Council on Aging, Urban League, and others) and through state programs. To find SCSEP near you, contact your local Area Agency on Aging, American Job Center, or the Department of Labor at dol.gov/agencies/eta/seniors.

Eligibility Requirements

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