What is SCSEP?

The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is an on-the-job training program for older Americans. Authorized by the Older Americans Act, the program provides training for unemployed people age 55 and older. Participants also have access to employment assistance through the American Job Center network.

SCSEP trainees gain work experience and work an average of 20 hours a week. SCSEP trainees are paid the highest of the federal, stateor local minimum wage. This training serves as a bridge to employment through skills enhancement.

Our SCSEP program is funded by a $46.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. This funding provides 90% of the support for SCSEP; we, along with our SCSEP network, provide the remaining 10% through nonfederal match of $4.7 million. 

SCSEP’s Economic Win

SCSEP delivers an economic win for our nation by offering employment opportunities for low-income older Americans, and providing a labor force to employers. Veterans and qualified spouses of veterans are given first priority for enrollment into SCSEP.

We operate SCSEP predominantly through a sub grantee network of local partner organizations. Our local partners are experts at skills training for older adults.

More than 7,000 older job seekers participate in our SCSEP program annually.  While many of our partners are based in high-density urban areas, over 60% serve multi-county rural regions. The Center helps our partners better serve older adults in their community.

General Program Requirements

Participants must be at least 55, unemployed, and have a family income of no more than 125% of the federal poverty level. Enrollment priority is given to veterans and qualified spouses of veterans, then to individuals who are over age 65.

CWI operates SCSEP predominantly through a sub grantee network of local partner organizations. This year, our 65 local partners are operating SCSEP in 445 counties across 15 states.  

To find the SCSEP program near you, please start by clicking on your state from the following list:

If (employers) know you’re coming from SCSEP, they know you’ve been steady, they know you’ll keep working. (SCSEP’s) like a life support system at my time of need.

Martin Saunders, SCSEP Client