Work and legal help
Senior job program (SCSEP)
The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) pays people 55 and older with low incomes for part-time community service work while they train for a regular job. You work about 20 hours a week at a nonprofit or public agency, such as a school, hospital or senior center, and earn at least minimum wage.
Who may qualify
| Age | 55 or older |
|---|---|
| Family income limit | No more than 125% of the federal poverty level |
| Work status | Unemployed |
| Who's served first | Veterans and qualified spouses, then people over 65 and people who have a disability, low literacy skills or limited English, live in a rural area, are homeless or at risk of homelessness, have low employment prospects, or couldn't find work through an American Job Center |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (source 1)
What you may get
| Pay | The highest of the federal, state or local minimum wage |
|---|---|
| Hours | About 20 hours a week, on average |
| Training and job help | Work experience at nonprofit and public agencies such as schools, hospitals, day-care centers and senior centers, plus job search help through American Job Centers |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (source 1)
Good to know
- To find a program near you, use CareerOneStop's Older Worker Program Finder at careeronestop.org or call 1-877-872-5627 (1-877-US2-JOBS).
- State agencies and 19 national nonprofit groups run SCSEP, so who you contact depends on where you live.
- The program is meant as a bridge to a regular job that isn't paid for by the program.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (source 1)
Sources
- U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Senior Community Service Employment Program (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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