Lifespan Respite Care Program: State Grants
Can you apply?
This grant is for state agencies and nonprofit organizations that provide respite care services to family caregivers. Applicants must be able to serve caregivers of children and/or adults with disabilities or chronic conditions across the state. States and established organizations with infrastructure to expand or improve respite care capacity are prioritized.
State units on aging and state developmental disabilities councils often lead applications. Nonprofit respite care providers and family caregiver coalitions can also apply if properly registered with their state. The program funds both direct services and system development to increase respite care access and quality.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
Key dates
- Sep 5, 2025 Applications open
- Jun 30, 2026 Application deadline in 29 days
- Sep 1, 2026 Award announced
- Sep 1, 2026 Project start
This grant is for state agencies and nonprofit organizations that provide respite care services to family caregivers. Applicants must be able to serve caregivers of children and/or adults with disabilities or chronic conditions across the state. States and established organizations with infrastructure to expand or improve respite care capacity are prioritized.
State units on aging and state developmental disabilities councils often lead applications. Nonprofit respite care providers and family caregiver coalitions can also apply if properly registered with their state. The program funds both direct services and system development to increase respite care access and quality.
Program description
ACL is seeking applications from eligible state agencies that will advance the provision of respite services through their statewide Lifespan Respite Care system as outlined in the Act. There are two application options for states contained in this single Notice of Funding Opportunity. State Applicants for Option A (Grants to New States and States Re-Establishing Their Core Respite Infrastructures): This opportunity is for states who have never had a grant, OR who had a grant before, but the program has stopped, and they wish to start it up again. State Applicants for Option B (State Program Enhancement Grants): This opportunity is intended for states that have had at least one grant in the past and/or wish to continue building and expanding upon their programmatic activities to enhance and expand the availability of lifespan respite services. Grantees will collaborate with state respite organizations and coalitions to enhance and expand the availability of lifespan respite services. The goal of the program is to enhance state systems and capacities to deliver respite care and related services to family caregivers of children and adults across all age groups, disabilities, and chronic conditions.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
Details
This grant is for state agencies and nonprofit organizations that provide respite care services to family caregivers. Applicants must be able to serve caregivers of children and/or adults with disabilities or chronic conditions across the state. States and established organizations with infrastructure to expand or improve respite care capacity are prioritized.
State units on aging and state developmental disabilities councils often lead applications. Nonprofit respite care providers and family caregiver coalitions can also apply if properly registered with their state. The program funds both direct services and system development to increase respite care access and quality.
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Federal Application for Grants and Cooperative Agreements)
- SF-424 Supplement (if required by your agency)
- Project Narrative and Work Plan
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Organizational Capacity Statement
- Letters of Support (from state units, partner organizations)
- Indirect Cost Agreement (if claiming overhead)
Program contact
- 👤 Kari Benson
- 📧 AoA.OAA@acl.hhs.gov
- 📞 202-401-4634
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.072 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$1,920,000
-
$1,920,000
-
$1,914,800
-
$1,740,662
-
$1,710,480
-
$1,701,668
-
$1,655,412
-
$1,585,975
-
$1,375,000
-
$1,361,829
Top States by Funding
- NC 4 awards $4.4M
- WI 4 awards $4.1M
- OK 3 awards $3.2M
- NY 3 awards $3.2M
- AL 3 awards $3.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.072). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $10,000,000 | |
| 2025 | $10,000,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $10,000,000 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
State agencies, units on aging, developmental disabilities councils, and 501(c)(3) organizations providing respite care services. You must demonstrate current or planned respite care capacity.
What activities does this grant support?
Funding supports respite care services, caregiver support programs, training, and system-building activities. Eligible uses include hiring respite workers, program coordination, and respite service expansion.
Is there a minimum or maximum funding amount?
Typical state grants range from $50,000 to $300,000 annually. Funding varies by state population and service needs.
How competitive is this program?
Moderately competitive. Priority goes to states with demonstrated caregiver needs and organizations with existing infrastructure or strong partnerships.
What's the application timeline?
Applications typically open in September for federal fiscal year funding. The submission window is usually 60-90 days from opening.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize your current respite care infrastructure and any existing caregiver coalitions or partnerships you've built.
- Include letters of support from state agencies, disability organizations, and family caregiver representatives.
- Clearly define how many caregivers you'll reach and what respite service types you'll provide or expand.
- Align your project with state caregiver needs identified in aging plans or disability service assessments.
- Budget realistically for staff, training, and indirect costs; reviewers scrutinize overheads in service grants.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applicants fail to demonstrate existing partnerships or state coordination mechanisms. Weak needs statements without data on local caregiver populations. Underestimating the time needed to hire and train respite workers.
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