SCSEP Senior Employment Program Locator
SCSEP is a federal program that pays low-income workers 55 and older for part-time community service work while they train for a regular job. Find the program for your area.
The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is a U.S. Department of Labor program for workers 55 and older with family income at or below 125% of the federal poverty level. It pays the federal or state minimum wage, whichever is higher, for part-time community service work at a nonprofit or public agency, usually about 20 hours a week, while you build skills for a regular job. Use the CareerOneStop locator below to find the SCSEP grantee for your area.
Few job programs are designed for older workers with low incomes. SCSEP is, and it pays for training placements instead of only referring you to job openings.
Find SCSEP Near You
CareerOneStop Older Worker Program Finder
The U.S. Department of Labor's locator for SCSEP grantees, the state agencies and national nonprofits that run the program locally. Search by ZIP code to find the organization for your area and apply through it.
Find SCSEP Near Me →Do you qualify?
- Age 55 or older
- Currently unemployed
- Family income at or below 125% of the federal poverty level
Priority for limited slots goes to veterans and qualified spouses first, then to applicants who are 65+, have a disability, have low literacy or limited English proficiency, live in a rural area, are homeless or at risk of homelessness, or have low employment prospects.
How it works. SCSEP is funded under Title V of the Older Americans Act. It places you in a paid, part-time assignment at a host agency, usually a nonprofit, school, library or government office. You work about 20 hours a week at the federal or state minimum wage, whichever is higher. At the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour, that is about $145 a week before taxes.
Who qualifies. You must be 55 or older, unemployed, and have family income at or below 125% of the federal poverty level. Under the 2026 guidelines that is about $19,950 a year for one person or $27,050 for two. Some income is not counted, so ask the grantee to check your figures.
What you get besides pay. Recent work experience for your resume, skills training, and a case manager who helps with your job search.
It is temporary. The placement is training, and the aim is a regular job with another employer. Participation is generally limited to 48 months over a lifetime.
Priority. If places are limited, veterans and their qualified spouses come first, then people who are 65 or older, have a disability, have low literacy or limited English, live in a rural area, are homeless or at risk of it, or have poor job prospects. Apply even if none of these fits you, because openings change.
How to apply. Local grantees run the program. They are state workforce agencies or national nonprofits under contract with the Department of Labor, so there is no national application. Use the CareerOneStop finder above, or ask at an American Job Center. Bring ID, proof of age and proof of income.
Effect on other benefits. SCSEP wages are earned income. If you receive Social Security before full retirement age, SSI, SNAP or housing assistance, ask how the wages will be treated. Our earnings test calculator covers Social Security.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SCSEP?
The Senior Community Service Employment Program is a federal program run by the U.S. Department of Labor under Title V of the Older Americans Act. It places low-income workers 55 and older in paid, part-time community service jobs at nonprofits and public agencies while they train for regular employment.
Who qualifies for SCSEP?
You must be 55 or older, unemployed, and have family income at or below 125% of the federal poverty level. Priority goes to veterans and qualified spouses, then to applicants who are 65 or older, have a disability, have low literacy or limited English proficiency, live in a rural area, are homeless or at risk of homelessness, or have low employment prospects.
How much does SCSEP pay?
The federal or state minimum wage, whichever is higher, for the hours worked in the community service assignment, usually about 20 hours a week.
Is SCSEP a permanent job?
No. It is a training placement. The aim is to build skills and experience at a host agency that lead to a regular job elsewhere, with case management and job search help along the way.
How do I apply for SCSEP?
Use CareerOneStop's Older Worker Program Finder to find the SCSEP grantee for your area, which is a state agency or a national nonprofit, and apply through it. Your local American Job Center can also help.
This page links to CareerOneStop, an official U.S. Department of Labor resource. This site is not affiliated with the Department of Labor or any SCSEP grantee. Each grantee sets and manages priority groups and available places.