Disaster Assistance for State Units on Aging (SUAs) and Tribal Organizations

The Disaster Assistance for State Units on Aging (SUAs) and Tribal Organizations program, administered by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is a discretionary grant program aimed at providing targeted disaster assistance. This initiative is designed to support State Units on Aging and federally recognized Tribal Organizations that are currently receiving grants under Title VI of the Older Americans Act (OAA) and are located in areas designated under a Major Disaster Declaration issued by the President under the Robert T. Stafford Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. This funding opportunity responds directly to the needs of older adults impacted by federally recognized disasters. Through this grant, eligible SUAs and Tribal Organizations can receive reimbursement and assistance funds to cover critical gap-filling services for older persons. These services include, but are not limited to, outreach, information and assistance, counseling, case management, advocacy, additional food and meals, supplies, emergency medications, transportation, and the replacement of damaged senior center equipment. It also includes funding for staff overtime and other essential immediate needs that are not covered by other disaster recovery resources. Importantly, funds awarded under this program must be used strictly within those geographic areas that fall under the President’s Major Disaster Declaration. Applicants are expected to coordinate closely with state, tribal, and local emergency management officials to determine what other disaster resources may already be available before seeking Older Americans Act funds. This coordination ensures that OAA funds are used only when other funding mechanisms are unavailable or insufficient. The estimated total program funding is $600,000 for the fiscal year 2026, with individual awards ranging from $30,000 to $600,000. Approximately seven awards are expected to be distributed. The funding will be provided as a cooperative agreement, indicating a substantial level of federal involvement during the project. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement associated with this grant. To be eligible, applicants must be State Units on Aging or federally recognized Tribal Organizations that are recipients of Title VI grants under the Older Americans Act and are situated in areas with a qualifying Major Disaster Declaration. Foreign entities are not eligible for this opportunity. Interested applicants must submit their proposals electronically via Grants.gov. ACL recommends that eligible applicants consult with the appropriate ACL contacts regarding the scope and amount of the funding request prior to submitting a formal application. Key forecasted dates include the estimated post date of October 1, 2025, an application due date of September 1, 2026, and an anticipated award and project start date of September 2, 2026. For further details, applicants are encouraged to visit the ACL website at https://acl.gov/grants/open-opportunities or to contact Kari Benson at 202-401-4634 for additional guidance.