Disaster Assistance for State Units on Aging (SUAs) and Tribal Organizations
Can you apply?
This grant is for State Units on Aging (SUAs) and federally recognized Tribal Organizations currently receiving grants under Title VI of the Older Americans Act. Eligible applicants must have existing OAA Title VI funding to qualify. Funds are only available for areas designated in a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration under the Stafford Act. Geographic scope is nationwide, limited to presidentially declared disaster areas. Eligible recipients use funds for gap-filling disaster relief services like meals, transportation, equipment replacement, and emergency assistance for older adults.
Applicants must coordinate with State, Tribal, and local Emergency Managers first. Agencies should discuss disaster applications with ACL contacts before submitting formal proposals. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. This is a reimbursement and assistance program, not general funding for aging services.
Key dates
- Sep 5, 2025 Applications open
- Sep 1, 2026 Application deadline in 92 days
- Sep 2, 2026 Award announced
- Sep 2, 2026 Project start
This grant is for State Units on Aging (SUAs) and federally recognized Tribal Organizations currently receiving grants under Title VI of the Older Americans Act. Eligible applicants must have existing OAA Title VI funding to qualify. Funds are only available for areas designated in a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration under the Stafford Act. Geographic scope is nationwide, limited to presidentially declared disaster areas. Eligible recipients use funds for gap-filling disaster relief services like meals, transportation, equipment replacement, and emergency assistance for older adults.
Applicants must coordinate with State, Tribal, and local Emergency Managers first. Agencies should discuss disaster applications with ACL contacts before submitting formal proposals. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. This is a reimbursement and assistance program, not general funding for aging services.
Program description
Grants awarded under this announcement are to provide disaster reimbursement and assistance funds to those State Units on Aging (SUAs), and federally recognized Tribal Organizations who are currently receiving a grant under Title VI of the Older Americans Act (OAA), as amended. Total funding available for disaster assistance is subject to the availability of funds appropriated. The estimated number of awards is seven with a one year project period. Funds may only be used in those areas designated in the Major Disaster Declaration issued by the President of the United States under the Robert T. Stafford Relief and emergency Assistance Act. Funds typically are for the following OAA Title III types of gap-filling services: outreach, information and assistance, counseling, case management, advocacy on behalf of older persons, additional food and meals, supplies, damaged senior center equipment replacement, staff overtime, emergency medications, transportation and other such immediate needs. OAA funds may be sed for permissible expenses incurred which are not or cannot be paid for through other disaster funding resources. Applicants should talk with State, Tribal, and local Emergency Managers to determine what funds may be available through other resources before applying for OAA funding. Eligible SUAs and Title VI grantees should discuss all disaster applications including amount of funds requested with ACL contacts prior to submitting a formal application. SUAs, and federally recognized Tribal Organizations currently receiving a grant under Title VI of the OAA must submit proposals electronically via http://www.grants.gov.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
Details
This grant is for State Units on Aging (SUAs) and federally recognized Tribal Organizations currently receiving grants under Title VI of the Older Americans Act. Eligible applicants must have existing OAA Title VI funding to qualify. Funds are only available for areas designated in a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration under the Stafford Act. Geographic scope is nationwide, limited to presidentially declared disaster areas. Eligible recipients use funds for gap-filling disaster relief services like meals, transportation, equipment replacement, and emergency assistance for older adults.
Applicants must coordinate with State, Tribal, and local Emergency Managers first. Agencies should discuss disaster applications with ACL contacts before submitting formal proposals. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. This is a reimbursement and assistance program, not general funding for aging services.
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative (describing disaster impact and service gaps)
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Evidence of existing Title VI OAA grant award
- Proof of Presidential Major Disaster Declaration
- Documentation of coordination with State/Tribal/local Emergency Managers
- Letters of support or commitment from partner agencies
Program contact
- 👤 Kari Benson
- 📧 aoa.oaa@acl.hhs.gov
- 📞 (202) 401-4634
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.048 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$74,999,835
-
$50,000,000
-
$32,636,000
-
$13,015,977
-
$12,893,893
-
$10,364,463
-
$9,949,997
-
$9,779,231
-
$9,097,121
-
$8,389,500
Top States by Funding
- DC 9 awards $167.3M
- NY 6 awards $52.4M
- MO 4 awards $27.3M
- CA 5 awards $17.8M
- VA 4 awards $15.2M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.048). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $82,804,000 | |
| 2025 | $82,804,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $82,804,000 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
State Units on Aging and federally recognized Tribal Organizations currently receiving Title VI grants under the Older Americans Act. Agencies without existing OAA Title VI funding cannot apply.
How much funding can I request?
Individual awards typically range from $30,000 to $600,000. The actual amount depends on disaster scope and demonstrated need in your jurisdiction.
What expenses are covered?
Funds support gap-filling services like meals, transportation, counseling, equipment replacement, and emergency medications for older adults. Expenses must be in presidentially declared disaster areas and not covered by other disaster funding.
When is the deadline?
The announcement deadline is September 1, 2026. However, contact ACL before submitting to discuss your needs and ensure alignment with program priorities.
Is cost-sharing required?
No cost-sharing is required for this grant. All requested funds can be for eligible disaster expenses.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Contact your ACL regional office before applying. Early coordination prevents misalignment and strengthens your proposal's credibility with program officers.
- Verify your disaster area qualifies under a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration. Funding is only available for designated areas, so confirm declaration status first.
- Document coordination with local and state emergency managers. Show what other disaster assistance resources exist and explain why OAA funding fills remaining gaps.
- Use specific examples of unmet older adult needs in your disaster area. Detail how many seniors were affected and what services gaps exist.
- Submit electronically through Grants.gov and keep records of all communications with ACL. This demonstrates compliance and supports reimbursement requests later.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications fail when applicants request funding for areas without Presidential Disaster Declarations. Agencies often underestimate coordination with emergency managers and submit without ACL pre-approval discussions. Weak proposals lack specific data on older adult populations affected and service gaps.
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