The short answer: The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) pays low-income Floridians 55 and older to work part time at nonprofits and public agencies while they build skills for a regular job. In Florida it pays $15.00 an hour for about 20 hours a week. It is run by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and three national organizations. To find the provider for your county, use the locators below or call 1-877-872-5627.
What Is the Senior Community Service Employment Program?
SCSEP is a federal job training program run by the U.S. Department of Labor. Participants are placed in part-time community service jobs at places like senior centers, schools, libraries, food banks and government offices. They average about 20 hours a week and are paid the highest of the federal, state or local minimum wage. The goal is to move into a regular job. (Source: U.S. Department of Labor.) Florida's minimum wage became $15.00 an hour on September 30, 2026, so that is what SCSEP pays here. (Source: FloridaCommerce.)
Federal rules limit each person to 48 months in the program in total. (Source: 20 CFR 641.570.)
Who Qualifies?
- Age 55 or older.
- Unemployed.
- Family income at or below 125 percent of the federal poverty level. Using the 2026 federal poverty guidelines ($15,960 for one person and $21,640 for two), that works out to about $19,950 a year for one person and $27,050 for two. (Source: HHS poverty guidelines; the 125 percent figures are our calculation, and the provider decides how your income is counted.)
Veterans and qualified spouses come first. Then priority goes to people who are 65 or older, have a disability, have limited English or low literacy, live in a rural area, are homeless or at risk of it, or have poor job prospects. (Sources: Department of Labor and Elder Affairs.)
Is SCSEP Still Running?
Yes. Congress funded the program for the year from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. Florida's share pays for about 2,250 positions: 458 through Elder Affairs, 1,069 through AARP Foundation, 355 through the National Caucus and Center on Black Aging (NCBA), and 368 through the National Urban League. (Sources: Department of Labor TEGL 13-25 and Elder Affairs.)
Two cautions. In 2025, federal funds for the national providers were held up for months, and some local programs paused. And the federal budget proposal for fiscal 2027 would eliminate SCSEP; as of September 2026 Congress had not decided. (Source: National Council on Aging.) Call ahead to ask whether your local provider is taking new participants.
Who Runs SCSEP in Florida
- Florida Department of Elder Affairs, the state provider, which contracts with AARP Foundation to run its positions. Phone 850-414-2000. (Source: Elder Affairs.)
- AARP Foundation serves 37 counties, including Alachua, Brevard, Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, Lee, Leon, Marion, Miami-Dade, Orange, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Sarasota and Volusia. Florida line 1-855-415-5970, or use the AARP Foundation SCSEP locator.
- NCBA has a Florida office in Milton, (850) 623-3046. (Source: NCBA.)
- National Urban League: the Urban League of Palm Beach County runs its Urban Seniors Jobs Program for Broward, 954-858-5884, and Miami-Dade, 305-809-8775. (Source: Urban League of Palm Beach County.)
To find the provider for any county, use the Department of Labor's Older Worker Program Finder or call 1-877-US2-JOBS (1-877-872-5627).
How to Apply
- Find your local provider with the locators above.
- Call and ask whether they have openings. Some keep a waiting list.
- Bring ID, proof of age, and proof of income for everyone in your family, such as Social Security award letters.
- Meet with staff to set a job goal and get a training placement.
Other Job Help for Older Floridians
- CareerSource Florida runs about 100 career centers with free job search help, training and workshops for job seekers of any age. (Source: CareerSource Florida.)
- AARP Foundation BACK TO WORK 50+ offers free coaching and workshops for job seekers 50 and older, including in Palm Bay and Miami and online. Call 1-855-850-2525. (Source: AARP Foundation.)
- Florida Vocational Rehabilitation helps people with disabilities find and keep jobs, with training and assistive technology. Call 800-451-4327. (Source: Florida VR.)
Working can affect some benefits. If you get SSI, SNAP or Medicaid, ask how your pay will be counted. See our guides to senior citizen benefits and senior and disabled services in Florida.
Questions About Senior Employment Programs
Who qualifies for the Senior Community Service Employment Program?
People 55 and older who are unemployed and have a family income at or below 125 percent of the federal poverty level. Veterans and qualified spouses get first priority, followed by people who are 65 or older, have a disability, have limited English or low literacy, live in a rural area, are homeless or at risk of homelessness, or have poor job prospects.
How much does SCSEP pay in Florida?
SCSEP pays the highest of the federal, state or local minimum wage. Florida's minimum wage rose to $15.00 an hour on September 30, 2026, so participants in Florida earn $15.00 an hour, usually for about 20 hours a week.
Is SCSEP still running in 2026?
Yes. Congress funded SCSEP for the program year that runs from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, and Florida received money for about 2,250 positions. Some local providers paused during 2025 while federal funds were delayed, and funding after this program year is being debated in Congress, so call ahead to ask about openings.
How long can I stay in SCSEP?
Federal rules limit each person to 48 months in the program in total, and each provider must keep its average time in the program lower. The goal is to move into a regular job.
Disclaimer: This guide is general information. Funding, openings and rules change. Confirm with your local SCSEP provider.