Advocacy
Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging is committed to staying engaged in, and sharing, the latest public policy news affecting older adults, caregivers and the professionals who care for them. The Washington Update is produced monthly with our partners at Matz, Blancato & Associates to share the latest information about policy issues impacting older adults and their families.
October Update
For the first time in six years, the federal government is experiencing a shutdown that took effect on October 1st. It followed the Senate’s failure to agree to a House passed Continuing Resolution which would have kept funding for the government through November 21. Since October 1, the Senate has voted several times on the House CR, but it has failed each time. Meanwhile, the House is in a long recess having taken no votes in the past month.
The shutdown’s impact on food assistance is becoming a growing concern. The U.S. Department of Agriculture warned in an October 10 letter to state agencies that if the shutdown continues, there will not be enough funding to cover the full amount of SNAP benefits for the entire month of November for approximately 42 million Americans.
Separately, new work requirements for SNAP benefits will be enforced nationwide starting November 1, 2025. Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service issued guidance for states to implement SNAP provisions outlined in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, signed into law on July 4.
The biggest changes affect Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD). Adults aged 18-64 (previously 18-54) must now work at least 80 hours monthly to maintain benefits beyond three months. Veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and youth aging out of foster care—who were previously exempt—must now meet these requirements. While caregivers of children under 14 remain exempt, the law doesn’t explicitly exempt other caregivers, including those caring for older adults or older adults who are caregivers themselves, meaning they must meet work requirements.
Additionally, SNAP nutrition education funding ended October 1, though unexpended funds can be used through fiscal year 2026.
The Senate Special Committee on Aging convened for two important hearings in October. The first, “Modernizing Health Care: How Shoppable Services Improve Outcomes and Lower Costs,” explored how price transparency tools can help patients make informed healthcare decisions while reducing overall costs. The committee also held a hearing titled “Bad Medicine: Closing Loopholes that Kill American Patients,” which examined critical gaps in patient safety regulations.
The Senate confirmed Alex Adams to head the Administration for Children and Families, which was announced to become the Administration for Children, Families, and Communities (ACFC) per the Department of Health and Human Services’ reorganization memo released in March. The ACFC will absorb the Administration for Community Living, which is the current federal agency overseeing aging and disability programs.
Age-Friendly Insights Poll: Bipartisan Public Support for Older Americans Act Programs
The John A. Hartford Foundation (JAHF) commissioned a survey of more than 1,100 U.S. adults about their views on community programs supported through the Older Americans Act (OAA), such as meal delivery, transportation, caregiver support and more.
State and local social service programs that help older adults with daily living have strong support among adults across America. An overwhelming 84% of U.S. adults support continued federal funding for the OAA, with strong support across all political party affiliations.
Read the report here.
Washington Update Newsletters
