Press Release

SEATTLE—The National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) is forced to furlough over 800 elders from its programs due to an unprecedented delay in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). SCSEP is the only federal job training program specifically for unemployed, low-income adults aged 55 and older. Nationwide, more than 20,000 seniors across all SCSEP-funded programs are expected to be impacted.

“This funding delay is not just a bureaucratic issue—it’s a crisis for tens of thousands of older adults who depend on SCSEP to survive,” said Clayton Fong, President and CEO of the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging. “Many of our participants are living on the edge of poverty. SCSEP gives them purpose, dignity, and the ability to put food on the table. The longer this delay continues, the deeper the harm is. We urge the Department of Labor to release national SCSEP funding immediately so our seniors can get back to work and stability.”

Through SCSEP, NAPCA helps elders build skills, gain meaningful employment, and remain active in their communities. NAPCA is consistently ranked as one of the top-performing SCSEP grantees in the country.

Why This Matters:

• SCSEP participants are among the most economically vulnerable seniors in the U.S. Many live paycheck to paycheck, and the income they earn—roughly $1,200 per month for part-time, minimum-wage community service jobs—is essential for meeting basic needs.

• There is no clear timeline for when furloughs will end. This uncertainty is causing deep distress among participants who rely on this modest income to survive.

• Unlike some state grantees, national SCSEP grantees like NAPCA have not yet received funding for the next fiscal year. This is the first time in the program’s history that funding announcements for national partners have been delayed beyond the start of the fiscal year.

• The impact is especially severe for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) elders, who already face disproportionate economic insecurity.

  
  

Key Facts:

• More than one in three older adults in the U.S. is economically insecure (CPS 2023).

• In 2023, 13% of Asian and 15% of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander adults age 65+ lived below the poverty line, compared to 9% of White seniors (ACS 2023).

• In 2020, one in five Asian Americans age 65+ were still in the labor force—higher than the national average for that age group (ACL 2020).

  
  

Real-Life Impacts:

• Curtis Archie, Moline, IL: After a work-related injury ended his career at age 63, Curtis turned to SCSEP for training and a job. He trains as a Maintenance Technician at YouthHope, a nonprofit serving local youth, earning $1,300 per month. Curtis is also the primary caretaker for his grandson and needs steady income to finalize adoption and provide for his family. Without his SCSEP-supported position, he faces financial instability and uncertainty.

• Hung Nguyen, Seattle, WA: At age 69, Hung was struggling to find work during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Finding work felt almost impossible—and with age, the barriers grew even higher. It was a very difficult time,” he shared. “I felt uncertain, and I needed stability.” Through SCSEP, Hung now trains part-time as a Warehouse Assistant Trainee at Tukwila Pantry and earns minimum wage to support his household. Due to the furlough, Hung is losing vital income that puts daily living expenses out of reach. Hung shares, "I hope this program continues because this program is making a difference—not just for me, but for so many others. I truly hope others can feel the same hope and purpose I’ve found through this program.”

  
  

###

The National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) is dedicated to improving the quality of life for AANHPI older adults by advocating for their unique needs and ensuring access to culturally competent services.