Policy updates & resources
Every two weeks, LiveOn NY distributes a policy update collecting updates on federal, state, and city aging policy. See below for our latest policy update.
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Biweekly Policy Updates: 1/23/25
Federal Updates
Federal Appropriations for Aging Services: House and Senate leadership are close to passing the final pending FY26 funding bills, and are expected to sign them into law by or shortly after the current continuing resolution (CR) expires on Jan. 30. Current funding levels for aging services are as follows:
Senior Community Services Employment Program (SCSEP): $395 million
ACL Direct Care Workforce Center: $2 million
ACL Falls Prevention: $7.5 million
ACL Chronic Disease Self-Management Education (CDSME): $8 million
CDC Falls Prevention: $3.1 million
HUD Aging in Place Home Modification Program: $30 million
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): $4.045 billion
AmeriCorps Seniors: $236.9 million
The National Council on Aging is managing a digital letter campaign to thank Congress for supporting aging services. You can send a letter here.
Cuts Threatened For Sanctuary Cities: The federal administration appears committed to moving forward with its promise to withhold funding from states with “sanctuary cities” starting February 1. Cabinet agencies have been directed to review funding going out to a group of Democratic-controlled states including New York. More in the Washington Post and Spectrum News 1.
HHS Reverses Mental Health Clawback: The federal administration reinstated the $2 billion in addiction and mental health services funding that it initially tried to terminate after getting aggressive pushback from a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers and providers. This funding cut would have abruptly terminated drug treatment services, homelessness support, and other mental health and substance abuse programs across the country. Congress is expected to consider a major appropriations package by the end of the month including funding for SAMHSA, although the final figure is still up in the air. More in the New York Times.
SNAP Updates:
SNAP Work Requirements/Benefits Updates: A reminder that in New York, the SNAP Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWD) waiver will remain in effect until March 1, 2026. ABAWDs in all areas of New York except Saratoga must start meeting the ABAWD work rules beginning March 1, 2026. More about upcoming SNAP requirements and the program are available at OTDA’s website. See also NYC Human Resources Administration updates here. See also here for NYC Food Policy Center’s Resources Guide on SNAP Updates.
Take action to protect SNAP: Continued advocacy is needed to highlight the importance of strengthening the SNAP program and advocating against cuts.
CPC: “Protect, Invest, and Expand Food Security” State Legislative Package
NYS Senate: Bill S665 to "Establish a state SNAP minimum benefit program"
FRAC: Urge Congress to Repeal Harmful SNAP Cuts in the Next Appropriation Bill
Hunger Solutions New York: See here.
Institutional Homebuyers are Targeted: The federal administration has signed an executive order restricting large investors’ ability to purchase homes with the stated aim of reducing housing costs. The order directs agencies to promote home sales to individual buyers and directs the Attorney General and Federal Trade Commission to look into enforcing antitrust laws against large institutional investors. The federal administration is also developing legislation to codify the order’s goals. However, experts at both the American Enterprise Institute and the Urban Institute estimate that only 1-4% of all housing stock is owned by institutional investors. More in TIME.
State Updates
Governor Hochul Releases Executive Budget: Last week, Governor Hochul released her $260 billion Executive Budget, emphasizing stability in the healthcare and education sectors amid anticipated federal funding cuts. The proposal includes an 11.4% increase in Medicaid funding and a 4.3% increase in school aid, and draws on $14.6 billion in rainy-day reserves to help address ongoing economic uncertainty. The full budget briefing book is available here.
Age Strong NY Responds: The Age Strong NY Coalition responded to the Executive Budget, expressing concern that the Master Plan for Aging was largely absent and that the needs of older New Yorkers were not fully addressed. While the proposal includes several targeted investments, the Coalition noted that the budget falls short of fully funding or advancing the Master Plan for Aging. See full statement here.
Key Budget Provisions Affecting Older Adults:
Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs): Additional funding to support on-site social and health services for older adults living in NORCs.
Non-Medical Aging Services Waitlists: Continued investment in funding through NYSOFA to Area Agencies on Aging.
SCRIE: Expansion of income eligibility for the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption program in New York City, increasing the cap from $50,000 to $75,000.
Streamlining Benefits Access: A new task force aimed at creating a “one-stop” benefits application to allow older adults to pre-screen for and apply for multiple state benefits through a single portal.
Elder Abuse Prevention: New virtual training initiatives through the State Office for the Aging to help the public identify and respond to scams and elder abuse.
Advocacy Needed! Join us on February 10 in Albany to stand up for older New Yorkers and demand meaningful investment in the Master Plan for Aging. Register here.
JustPay Campaign: Our partners at HSC are advocating for fair funding for human services as part of the JustPay campaign. In response to the State Executive Budget, they’re currently advocating for a 2.7% Targeted Inflationary Increase for human services programs as well as passage of S3669 to correct an administrative oversight and include all programs under TIIs. Sign their petition here.
City Updates
HSC City Org Chart: HSC has released an easy to read organization chart for the new administration’s executive structure here. This document is helpful in understanding the priorities of the new administration and which agencies they believe are related in their service provision.
Comptroller Report: The Comptroller released a report that outlines the potential budget gaps that the Mayor will face in this year’s budget. According to the report, there will be a $2 billion shortfall under current projections of spending and tax income. The entire budget preview can be found here. More information about the budget will be released after the preliminary budget is released (see below).
City Council Committee Leadership: The City Council announced their leadership and Committee Chairs last week. All information about leadership and chairs can be found in this press release. Councilmember Susan Zhuang has been named chair of the Aging Committee - LiveOn looks forward to working with Aging Chair Zhuang to build support for older New Yorkers.
Forthcoming Preliminary Budget: Mayor Mamdani is expected to release the preliminary budget in the first week in February, as is allowed by the charter in transitional years. Once the document is released, we will be working through an analysis and will share out.
Contracts Committee on 1/27, Procurement Transparency Bills on Agenda: The New York City Council Contracts Committee will hold a hearing on 1/27 to hear testimony on 3 bills aimed at increasing transparency and oversight in city contracting. For more information on the preconsidered bills, click here. To register to testify at the hearing, click here.
City Council Stated Meeting on 1/29, Housing Bills on Agenda: The City Council has scheduled a stated meeting on Thursday January 29th where the vetoed housing bills mentioned in this letter will be reconsidered. We are anticipating their passage.
Resources
Justice in Aging Report: Mitigating the Harms of Medicaid Work Requirements for Older Adults: Tools for State Advocates. Click here.
Justice in Aging Report: Medicaid’s Cost Collection Policy Hurts Families & Perpetuates Poverty. Click here.
Justice in Aging Report: Protecting Oral Health for Older Adults in Medicaid. Click here.
Bipartisan Policy Center Report: “What Older Americans Want Policymakers To Know.” Click here.
Upcoming Events
LiveOn NY Events & Trainings
2/4/26: Age Strong New York Leadership Summit – Register today!
2/10/26, 11:00 AM: Age Strong Press Conference in Albany. 4th Floor Senate Staircase, New York State Capitol Building. Register here.
Partner Events
2/5/26: Justice in Aging: Webinar: Implementing New Medicaid Work Requirements: Strategies to Mitigate Harm in Your State. Click here.
Webinar: Justice in Aging, SAGE, and Lambda Legal briefing on emerging federal policy threats, litigation updates, and advocacy resources impacting LGBTQ+ older adults | January 28, 2026 (60 min) Register here.
LiveOn NY maintains strong connections with critical policy partners across the federal, state, and local levels to effectively advocate for aging New Yorkers and advance our mission with timely, informed strategies. See some of our key partners below: