Government Programs: The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)

If you are looking to re-enter the workforce but face barriers to employment or low income, federal training programs can help bridge the gap. Authorized under Title V of the Older Americans Act (OAA), the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is a government-subsidized program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor.

SCSEP provides paid, part-time community service positions at local non-profit organizations and public agencies, including municipal community centers and senior centers. You can find detailed program rules and service provider networks directly through the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and non-profit partners like the National Council on Aging (NCOA).

Key program criteria and structures include:

• Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 55 years old, currently unemployed, and have a family income no greater than 125% of the federal poverty guidelines.
• Work Hours: Participants work an average of 20 hours per week in local community roles.
• Compensation: You receive the highest of the federal, state, or local minimum wage while acquiring updated job skills and hands-on experience.
• Skill Building: The program offers on-the-job training in customer service, facility support, administration, and digital literacy to help transition participants into permanent, non-subsidized employment.

“Retirement is not the end of work; it is the freedom to do work that matters without worrying about climbing a corporate ladder.” — Mitch Anthony, Author of The New Retirementality