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Funding at Senior Services

Check out the following resources for more information about the state of aging, how Senior Services programs are addressing the needs of older adults, and how we are keeping up to date with changes in funding and policies.

Aging Outlook and Service Report
Latest News and Updates
Full Letter to Our Constituents
How You Can Help
Sign Up to Receive Action Alerts and Information

For many years, funding for our programs has not kept pace with the need and demand for services in our community. Senior Services continually works to increase revenue and support for programs to respond to increasing needs. As a nonprofit organization, government grants and funding sources, along with community and philanthropic support, play a large and important role in filling critical gaps.

Nearly 48% of Senior Services funding comes from governmental funding sources, with about a third of our funding originating from the federal level and trickling down through the state and local government.

The Latest Information We’re Watching

October 3, 2025:State Level: State Legislators have not yet come to agreement on a mini-budget that would fill the Medicaid funding gap in our state. Therefore, the Department of Health and Human Services implemented Medicaid rate reductions effective October 1, 2025. Our Living-at-Home (case management), Williams Adult Day Center (adult day health), and Meals-on-Wheels (meals) – have all sustained a 3% reduction in Medicaid reimbursement rates.   

Federal Level: Federal Legislators were not able to come to an agreement on a continuing resolution to keep federal funding flowing past September 30. Therefore, effective October 1, we entered a “government shutdown” where all “non-critical” government functions and funding will cease to flow until a resolution is reached. This will equate to stalled reimbursements for several key funding sources (Home and Community Care Block Grant (HCCBG) and Family Caregiver Support), which impact nearly every program at our agency. Conversations continue at the federal level, but there is no clear path or timeline to resolution at this time.  

The needs of seniors in our community continue despite funding stalls and reductions, and we remain here to serve and support. We will rely even more heavily on other funding sources, community donations, and operational reserves as we work to fill the additional gaps left by rate reductions and lags in payment.  Our hope continues to be that any shutdown and cash flow delay will be temporary and short in nature, and that funding will flow again soon thereafter.

Your continuing advocacy, sharing the importance of our state and federal Legislators reaching funding resolutions and the impacts being felt in our community, is always appreciated and helpful.

Help us advocate! Call your State Legislators and let them know how important Medicaid services are to seniors in our community, and urge them to continue working to reach an agreement that avoids cuts to service rates, which in many cases, already don’t keep pace with costs.

REVIEW PREVIOUS UPDATES

Budget challenges at the state level are threatening to have an impact on Medicaid revenue into our organization. Essentially, NC legislators passed a mini-budget that did not include enough funding for the state’s Medicaid program – they are short to the tune of about $319 million dollars. Providers (like us) were notified that beginning October 1 we could face at least a 3% reduction in reimbursement rates for Medicaid services – with some providers facing upwards of 8-10% in reduced rates. State Legislators are working to come to an agreement that would avoid these rate reductions.

Senior Services receives just shy of $1 million dollars from Medicaid which flows primarily to our Living-at-Home department for case management services via the Community Alternatives Program (CAP) for Disabled Adults, it also impacts (to a smaller degree) our Meals-on-Wheels and Williams Center programs who provide some Medicaid-funded meals and days of care as well.

Help us advocate! Call your State Legislators and let them know how important Medicaid services are to seniors in our community, and urge them to continue working to reach an agreement that avoids cuts to service rates, which in many cases, already don’t keep pace with costs.

In their budget session last week The County Commissioners voted 4 to 3 in favor of approving the $1.5 million of the staff-recommended Community Grants. While some nonprofits, unfortunately, did not receive funding – Senior Services is expected to receive the $363,000 recommended by their staff. While this is not the $410,000 we requested and is a cut from the $385,000 we currently receive, this is far better than the $0 proposed in the County Manager’s initial budget, and we are incredibly grateful to be receiving this grant. Our thanks extend to the Commissioners for their support and understanding of the vital nature of our services, and to our Board and other community members for the local advocacy that occurred to help us maintain some of this funding this year! LOCAL NEWS: Forsyth County Budget and Senior Services Funding

 

At the federal level, a spending bill titled “One Big Beautiful Bill” act narrowly passed the House last week and has now moved on to the Senate for consideration. Of note, the House bill includes:

  • Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) was not specifically cut in the bill passed by the House, which is somewhat promising, but we still have our eye on it.
  • More than $700 billion in cuts to federal Medicaid spending over a 10-year period, along with changes to eligibility requirements, new cost sharing requirements, and change.
    • These cuts would have a significant impact on State’s budgets and could impact Medicaid spending in NC. So, we’ve got our eye on it.
  • Nearly $300 billion in cuts to the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) over a 10-year period, along with changes in the funding model – shifting some funding responsibility away from the federal government and onto states. People losing or having their SNAP benefits reduced would put additional strain on an already strained food and nutrition support network. It might also mean states shift other funding to cover these gaps, pulling from areas that could impact us. So, we’ve got our eye on it.

It is likely that this “One Big Beautiful Bill” will change and morph more as the Senate reviews and makes adjustments. So, we’re paying attention to all these moving pieces for any items that could potentially have direct or trickle-down effects for our funding and constituents. Click here for talking points and tips!

LOCAL NEWS: Forsyth County Budget and Senior Services Funding

ONGOING THINGS TO WATCH

Pay attention to what’s happening with the

  • United States Department of Health and Human Services
  • Administration for Community Living
  • Older Americans Act

Senior Services receives funding specifically from the

  • Social Services Block Grant
  • Home and Community Care Block Grant
  • Veteran’s Administration
  • Medicaid
  • Forsyth County Government

ADVOCACY INFORMATION
WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Now, more than ever, the collective voice of our community is paramount. We believe in the power of advocacy—in sharing our stories, highlighting the impact of our work, and making sure our needs are understood by those who shape policy. That starts with contacting your representatives and telling them why continuing this funding is critical for our community.

CALL OR EMAIL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES:

It is impactful for your elected officials to hear directly from constituents about the issues that matter most. Writing a personal note or making a quick phone call really can make a difference!

Find your representative’s contact information below.

Senator Ted Budd (R)

 

Senator Thom Tillis (R)

 

Representative Pat Harrigan (R)
10th Congressional District, Forsyth & Yadkin

Representative Addison McDowell (R)
6th Congressional District, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, & Guilford

Senator Dana Jones (R)
31st District, Forsyth & Stokes

Senator Paul Lowe (D)
32nd District, Davidson, Forsyth

Representative Kanika Brown (D)
71st Congressional District, Forsyth

Representative Amber Baker (D)
72nd Congressional District, Forsyth

Representative Jeff Zenger (R)
74th Congressional District, Forsyth

Representative Donny Lambeth (R)
75th Congressional District, Forsyth

Representative Kyle Hall (R)
91st Congressional District, Forsyth & Stokes

Click here to search the full Directory of Legislators.

wHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW | Talking points + tips

Nonprofit organizations, like Senior Services, that are providing direct support to older adults and their families, provide an important safety net for our community. They are filling gaps that others do not and are helping people stay at home and out of costly nursing homes and facilities.

  • Senior Services provides direct, hands-on care to more than 2,400 older adults each year.
  • We serve thousands more through information, assistance, referral, and education.
  • 400 people were placed on a waiting list for service at some point in the last year (a 20% increase over the previous year)

  • With funding already not keeping pace with growing needs, any cuts to funding would have a negative impact on service levels in our community.

Share your personal experience working with Senior Services and older adults.

  • Why is supporting older adults important to you?
  • What difference have you seen these services make?

As always, we will continue to keep you posted as we learn more and as we come across opportunities for us to lend our voice and stories to the cause. 

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