How to apply for Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)

Who it's for

SCSEP places low-income job seekers age 55 and older into paid part-time community service assignments at nonprofits and public agencies — schools, libraries, food pantries, senior centers, parks departments, and similar host sites. Participants typically work 20 hours per week and earn at least the federal, state, or local minimum wage (in California, $16.50/hour in 2026, which works out to roughly $17,000 per year before taxes). The placement is paired with skills training, computer literacy, resume help, and one-on-one coaching aimed at moving the participant into unsubsidized employment within the broader job market. SCSEP is administered nationally by the Department of Labor and locally by AARP Foundation, the National Council on Aging, Goodwill, the National Caucus and Center on Black Aging, and state agencies; coverage exists in every California county though slot availability and the host-site mix vary by grantee.

What you'll need

• Government-issued photo ID and proof of age 55+
• Proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or similar)
• Documentation of family income for the prior 6 or 12 months (Social Security award letter, pension statements, prior-year tax return, unemployment statements)
• Documentation of work authorization in the United States (Social Security card, passport, naturalization certificate)
• Resume or work history summary, if available

Where to apply

Renewals

annual (re-certification of income and continued participation)