New Act Authorizes $6.5M Annually to Fund 10-Year State Plans for Aging and Disability Support

The Strategic Plan for Aging Act is setting up a new competitive grant program under the Older Americans Act, designed to get states and tribal organizations thinking long-term about aging. Essentially, this bill puts federal money on the table to fund comprehensive, 10-year strategic plans for supporting older adults and people aging with disabilities.

The 10-Year Playbook for Life

This isn't about funding existing programs; it’s about funding high-level strategy. The law defines a Multisector Plan for Aging and Aging with a Disability as a multi-year process that brings together everyone from healthcare providers to housing advocates to tackle the needs of "covered individuals"—meaning older adults, those with disabilities, their families, and their caregivers. The goal is to move beyond the usual two-to-three-year planning cycles and create a clear, decade-long vision for how people can age with dignity and autonomy.

To get a grant, a state or tribe has to show serious commitment, like an Executive order, and must form a working group of "aging and disability stakeholders." Crucially, these plans must address 11 key life issues. Think about your monthly budget and daily needs: the plans have to set goals for stable housing, economic security, access to health care, food security, and even disaster preparedness. For instance, if you’re a retired carpenter living on a fixed income, this plan should theoretically lead to better coordination between your local housing assistance office and your healthcare provider, ensuring you don't lose coverage or access when you move.

The Catch: Competition and Limited Funds

While the concept is solid—who doesn't want better long-term planning?—the funding is limited. The bill authorizes $6.5 million annually from 2026 through 2030, but the total number of grants the government can award is capped at 65 over that five-year period. Plus, no single grant can exceed $500,000. This means the program is highly competitive. For the states that secure one of these grants, they get a huge head start in modernizing their systems. For the majority of states and tribes that don't, they’ll have to figure out how to do this complex, multi-sector planning without the federal seed money. This competitive structure could create disparities in planning capacity across the country.

If a state does win a grant, they have a strict timeline. They must create and begin implementing their 10-year plan within two years of receiving the money. After that, they have to submit bi-yearly progress reports for the next decade, holding public hearings and establishing an implementation committee. This built-in accountability is a strong feature, ensuring the money goes toward actual results rather than just sitting on a shelf. It also requires the plan to identify and respond to disparities in access to services—meaning if rural residents or specific communities are being left behind, the plan has to address it head-on. The bill is a clear push for states to stop reacting to aging crises and start proactively managing the next ten years of support for their older and disabled populations.