The National Center for Benefits Outreach and Enrollment grant opportunity is a cooperative agreement offered by the Administration for Community Living under the Department of Health and Human Services. This discretionary grant falls under the income security and social services funding category, with an expected total program funding of 13,500,000 dollars. The award ceiling is 13,500,000 dollars, and there is no minimum award amount specified. Only one award is expected to be issued. Cost sharing or matching is not a requirement for this opportunity.

The purpose of this grant is to support the National Center for Benefits Outreach and Enrollment, which provides technical assistance to states, area agencies on aging, and other community service providers. The primary focus is on outreach and benefits enrollment assistance, particularly for older individuals with the greatest economic need, to help them access federal and state programs. The center is responsible for maintaining and updating web-based decision support and enrollment tools, as well as integrated, person-centered systems to inform older individuals about the benefits for which they are eligible. It also employs cost-effective strategies to locate individuals with the greatest need and enroll them in the appropriate programs.

Additionally, the center supports Aging and Disability Resource Centers and other public and private organizations, including faith-based and community-based organizations, to serve as benefits enrollment centers. It develops and maintains a clearinghouse of information on best practices and cost-effective methods for identifying and enrolling individuals with significant economic needs. The center also provides training and technical assistance on outreach, screening, enrollment, and follow-up strategies to ensure effective service delivery.

Eligible applicants for this funding opportunity include domestic public or private, non-profit or for-profit organizations, state and local governments, Indian tribal governments, institutions of higher education, hospitals, and community-based organizations. Faith-based organizations that meet eligibility requirements are also encouraged to apply. Foreign entities are not eligible to compete for or receive funding under this announcement. Specific eligibility details can be found in the official funding opportunity announcement once published.

The estimated post date for the funding announcement is March 20, 2025, with applications expected to be due by May 30, 2025. The estimated award date is September 1, 2025, which is also the anticipated project start date. Interested applicants are encouraged to prepare for this funding opportunity by reviewing applicable program requirements, such as authorizing legislation and programmatic regulations, which can be accessed through the HHS grants policy statement.

For further details, additional information can be found on the Administration for Community Living's open opportunities website. Questions regarding the opportunity can be directed to Maggie Flowers at 202-795-7315. Applicants should continue to monitor Grants.gov for updates and ensure they comply with all requirements outlined in the forthcoming funding opportunity announcement.