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According to an October 2020 study by the New Institute for Social Research, during the pandemic, workers 55 and older lose their jobs earlier, rehire slower and experience higher unemployment than younger workers.
These barriers are especially daunting for low-income seniors, who may lack the education, training or comprehensive resources needed to re-enter the workforce.
If you are over 55 and unemployed, the free job training program offered by the Department of Labor can help.
It is called Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), which provides subsidized part-time community service jobs to thousands of low-income senior Americans each year.
Read on to learn who is eligible and how to apply.
What is the Senior Community Service Employment Program?
SCSEP was created more than 55 years ago as part of the Senior Americans Act of 1965.
The program is designed to provide subsidized part-time community service jobs and training to low-income people 55 years of age and older.
In 2021, the Department of Labor received $402.9 million in funding for SCSEP, according to the Department of Labor. Institution’s budget. It distributes these funds to various state agencies and 19 state nonprofit organizations.
SCSEP helps pay the wages of the approximately 56,0750 senior Americans who participate in the program each year.
How does SCSEP work?
SCSEP is federally funded and administered by states, which contract with local community service organizations. (Goodwill and AARP are the largest two).
SCSEP is specifically designed to meet the employment needs of older workers.
Participants are placed with a local nonprofit or government agency and are paid to work 20 hours a week.
You will be paid the federal, state or local minimum wage – whichever is highest.
The federal minimum wage in 2022 is $7.25. So, you can expect to earn at least $145 per week before taxes, or about $7,540 per year.
The sponsoring agency must provide you with supportive career services, such as resume writing and computer training. They also place you on practical work assignments at local nonprofits or government agencies.
This makes SCSEP a “win-win” for older workers and nonprofits, said Emily Allen, senior vice president of programs at the AARP Foundation.
“Participants gain hands-on experience and community organisations gain additional manpower to carry out their tasks,” Allen told The Penny Hoarder.
These entry-level to mid-level community service jobs include jobs like learning how to operate an ordering system at a food bank or answering calls at a local board on aging.
Allen said such roles could provide employees with current work experience, which is attractive to potential employers.
“It’s usually easier to get a job when you have a job,” Allen said. “Program participants are actively working on a task, which is really relevant to the employer.”
Organizations like AARP work one-on-one with SCSEP participants when you’re not on site to determine their skills and career goals.
“We’re very focused on developing the soft and digital skills they need to find and get jobs,” Allen said.
The goal of SCSEP is to serve as a bridge to full-time, unsubsidized work.
In other words, your SCSEP gig won’t last forever. Participants typically stay in the program for about a year, Allen said.
Despite this, many agencies continue to employ SCSEP staff as full-time staff. Even if they don’t, you can use the skills you learn to get a permanent position elsewhere.
Who is eligible?
You need to meet certain criteria to qualify for SCSEP.
To qualify, you must:
- At least 55 years old.
- unemployment.
- Family income does not exceed 125% of the federal poverty level.
By 2022, the poverty line for 125% of the United States is $16,100 per year for a single person or $21,775 per year for a two-person family.
Here’s how you can check if your household is at 125% of the poverty line this tool on Benefits.gov.
Remember: Income from certain government benefits does not count towards SCSEP eligibility.
For example, any SSI or Social Security disability payments you receive are not included in income, nor are 25% of your Social Security retirement benefits.
According to the Department of Labor’s website, SCSEP prioritizes the following demographics:
- Veterans and Eligible Spouse
- People aged 65 and over
- disabled
- village People
- Homeless or at risk of homelessness
How SCSEP works in your area
you can use it Senior Worker Program Finder tool on the federal CareerOneStop website to find SCSEP locations in your area.
Chances are you’ll find one.according to a 2021 Department of Labor Report, SCSEP-funded services are available in nearly 3,000 U.S. counties and territories.
“We’re always looking to fill our vacancies, so new players are usually recruited,” Allen said.
Rachel Christian is a certified educator in personal finance and senior writer for The Penny Hoarder.
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