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: 10/23/26
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Have an important aging update for our next policy update? Contact Frank McMullin, Communications Manager at LiveOn NY at fmcmullin@liveon-ny.org.
CITY UPDATES
NORC RFP NYC Aging released the NORC RFP (EPIN: 12526P0003) on Tuesday October 20, 2026. All RFP accompanying documents can be found on the Public PASSPort website here. We are analyzing the RFP for changes to the program and other information relevant to the provider network and will keep you updated as we learn more. Key information can be found below:
Bidders conference scheduled for 10/29/2026 at 10am (registration required - see PASSPort)
Responses are due 12/14/2026
Anticipated contract term is July 1, 2027 - June 30, 2030
Any questions should be sent to NYC Aging Office of Procurement at RFP@aging.nyc.gov
NYCHA OAC Hearing Scheduled for October 27th: The council will be holding an oversight hearing on the state of OACs at NYCHA facilities next Tuesday the 27th @ 10:00 am. Here is more information on the hearing. We will be testifying and will send testimony around next week. You can register to testify here.
SCRIE/DRIE Eligibility Increase in NYC: Following months of advocacy by LiveOn NY and partner advocates in the SCRIE/DRIE coalition, the City Council passed a number of consequential bills in yesterday’s stated meeting, including a bill that would increase the income eligibility for SCRIE from a $50,000 ceiling to a $75,000 ceiling. This will rightsize the eligibility cap to capture a population of older New Yorkers who have historically been left vulnerable by rising costs and inflation. We’re grateful to our partners at City Council who have been champions for older New Yorkers and look forward to working with providers and advocates to keep us all housed in dignity as we age.
COPA Passes in NYC: Advocates have successfully worked with the Mamdani Administration and City Council to pass the Community Option to Purchase Act (COPA) sponsored by Councilmember Sandy Nurse requiring sellers of certain distressed or affordable residential buildings to give qualified nonprofits and community land trusts a 90-day exclusive first chance to purchase them. We’re thrilled to see that the City is adding a new tool to its toolbox to deliver affordable, community-based housing solutions which will help us all age in dignity. Read more at City Limits.
state updates
As we approach the State of the State, the Governor’s team is preparing its budget priorities for its FY28 budget. Now is the time to brief your State Assemblymembers and State Senators with your budget priorities.
See you at SOMOS!: Our team is excited to meet you all in Puerto Rico for SOMOS in November. We’ll be arriving on Wednesday. Our team will be sending Allison Nickerson, Executive Director; Kevin Kiprovski, Director of Public Policy; Dora Fisher, Director of State Policy; and Frank Shintaro McMullin, Housing Policy & Communications Manager. If you’ll be there, let us know!
Rally for Elder Parole and Fair & Timely Parole: On Tuesday, December 1, at 10:45 AM, advocates will hold rallies in seven locations across the state in support of Elder Parole and Fair & Timely Parole. The rallies will kick off the push to pass both bills in the coming legislative session, and strong turnout will help show legislators that New Yorkers want older incarcerated people to have a real chance at release. Please RSVP here.
JustPay releases FY28 State Budget asks. The Human Services Council’s JustPay Campaign has announced its asks for the next state budget, aimed at raising wages for the human services workforce:
Fund a 3.4% Targeted Inflationary Increase (TII) for human services rates and contracts, and include programs that have been left out of past increases so every State-contracted human services program receives it.
Establish the Human Services CareForce Wage Enhancement, a recurring wage investment separate from and in addition to the TII. It would match the State’s recent multi-year commitment to its own workforce and help providers recruit and retain staff.
Sign on by November 2: Add your organization to JustPay’s letter urging Governor Hochul to include these asks in the budget, linked here.
State Nonprofit Unit posts pre-contracting webinar. The Governor’s Nonprofit Unit has released a webinar and accompanying PDF guide on the steps nonprofits must complete before contracting with the State: registering and prequalifying in the Statewide Financial System (SFS), providing proof of workers’ compensation and disability coverage, registering with the Attorney General’s Charities Bureau, and completing Vendor Responsibility Questionnaires where required. The materials may be a useful reference for staff who are new to State contracting. Access is available on the NYS Nonprofit Unit and Grants Management webinars pages.
HEAP Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement (HERR) benefit now open. OTDA opened the HEAP-funded HERR benefit on October 1, 2026. Eligible homeowners can receive help repairing or replacing a furnace, boiler, or other direct heating equipment needed to keep their home's primary heat source working. Benefit amounts are based on actual cost, up to $4,000 for a repair and $8,000 for a replacement. The Public Utility Law Project (PULP) has shared social media graphics in English and Spanish. Click here for more information.
FEDERAL UPDATES
Long-Term Care RFI: Last week, the Senate Finance Committee minority staff put out a Request for Information on reforming the nation’s long-term care system entitled “Delivering an Affordable Home Care Guarantee for American Families.” The RFI seeks feedback from advocates on three main topics: making home care affordable and accessible, improving the quality of care in nursing homes, and strengthening the long-term care workforce. RFI responses are due December 18th, 2026 and can be sent to homecare@finance.senate.gov. Justice in Aging will share materials to help advocates respond. Senator Wyden has also created a website to collect stories about challenges accessing health care and long-term care. We encourage those who have access to stories to add them here.
Emergency Rental Assistance: The recently introduced Eviction Crisis Act would create a national emergency rental assistance program for low-income households at risk of eviction. This bipartisan bill would also form a national database to track evictions, provide grants for state/local eviction diversion programs, and reform tenant screening reports to reduce the impacts of past eviction filings on future housing access. You can read more about the bill here and also urge Congress to support the legislation here.
Healthcare Marketplace Declining Enrollment: According to our colleagues at the Medicare Rights Center, Affordable Care Act (ACA) open enrollment begins November 1, 2026, but many Americans may face higher health insurance costs. Congress did not extend enhanced ACA subsidies, making coverage less affordable. According to a new KFF report, ACA enrollment dropped by more than 4.6 million people between June 2025 and June 2026, highlighting concerns about declining access to affordable health insurance. Read more here.
Public Charge Updates: The federal government has changed its rules for certain immigrants applying for green cards or visas and their use of public benefits. On July 16, 2026, DHS announced a final rule rescinding the 2022 public charge inadmissibility regulations. On August 18, 2026, the federal government published additional information explaining how the use of public benefits may affect an individual's immigration case. These proposed changes are currently in effect. If you would like to learn more about these new rules, please visit the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) Public Charge webpage for timely, trusted information, including FAQs, flyers, and legal assistance resources.
SNAP Updated Standards and ABAWD: The City has released a number of resources around updated work rules for SNAP. See here for updated information on SNAP standards courtesy of the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. Furthermore, the City has published an updated webpage for SNAP Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWD) Work Requirements. Please share the webpage with your clients and older adults in need as an informational reference and screening tool.
Resources
New York Health Foundation and Medicare Rights Center: Webinar recap/resources on Medicaid Eligibility and Client Management (MECM) new online system designed to streamline enrollment and renewals for select Medicaid programs, including the Medicare Savings Program. See here.
Lawyers Alliance Legal Alerts: New York New-Hire Reporting Requirements for Independent Contractors Paid $2,500 or More. See here. For additional Lawyers Alliance alerts on critical issues impacting nonprofits, see here.
NYC Independent Budget Office (IBO): NYC’s Budget in $100 Report
Fiscal Policy Institute: The Future of the Essential Plan Report
Justice in Aging: Medicaid Community Engagement Requirements and Older Adults: Frequently Asked Questions
Upcoming Events
Partner Events:
7/29/26: Justice in Aging: How ABLE Accounts Work with Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Register here.
8/5/26: NY Health Foundation: From Eligibility to Enrollment: Advancing SNAP Access in New York. Register here.
9/16/26: New York Health Foundation: Celebrating 20 Years of Impact. Save the date, registration to follow.
9/23/26: Nonprofit New York, Amalgamated Bank: 2026 Nonprofit Resource Fair. Register here.
10/8/26: United Neighborhood Houses: “New Yorkers Who Make A Difference: Honoring Kathy Wilde” Annual Benefit and Celebration. Save the date.
11/5/26: Nonprofit New York: 2026 Annual Conference. Registration and info here.
REPORTS
LiveOn NY Reports
Aging is Everyone’s Business: Policies for Building a New York for All Ages 2021
Beyond Bricks: Affordable Senior Housing with Services 2020
Under One Roof - Senior Center Infographic 2018
City Budget FY19 Priorities 2018
NYC's Affordable Housing Crisis for Seniors Persists 2017
City Budget FY18 Priorities 2017
A NYC Roadmap to Address Elder Abuse 2016
Through the Roof: Waiting Lists for Senior Housing 2016
State Budget Agenda 2016
SCRIE Under-utilization by Sub-Borough Areas 2015
Paving the Way for New Senior Housing 2015
Call to Action: Building a Housing Agenda for Older New Yorkers 2014
The Aging Tsunami: A Blueprint for the Quality of Life for Older New Yorkers 2013
Preventing Hunger Among the Elderly: Under Enrollment of SNAP by Older New Yorkers 2013
21st Century Senior Centers: Changing the Conversation 2010
Key Reports in the Field
The Aging Apple: Older Immigrants a Rising Share of New York's Seniors 2017
The New York State Cost of Financial Exploitation Study 2016
Caregivers in Crisis 2013
NYS Elder Abuse Prevalence Study 2011
