Aging, Office for the

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Agency Web Site: https://aging.ny.gov/Link to External Website

Mission

The State Office for the Aging (SOFA) is responsible for promoting, coordinating and administering State, Federal and local programs and services to the elderly aged 60 and older; their families or other caregivers. The Office provides leadership and direction to 59 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and other local programs and providers that comprise the networks of services to the elderly.

Organization and Staffing

SOFA program specialists provide oversight and guidance to the AAAs, service providers, and fiscal analysts who oversee the funding disbursement. The workforce is located in Albany, although SOFA staff routinely travel across the State to provide leadership, direction, and oversight to the AAAs and service providers.

Budget Highlights

The FY 2020 Executive Budget recommends $270 million for Aging. This is an increase of $13 million from the FY 2019 budget. This change is the result of a $15 million investment for the Expanded In-home Services for the Elderly Program (EISEP) and the discontinuation of one-time legislative adds (-$2.7M).

The Executive Budget recommends a workforce of 95 FTEs, unchanged from FY 2019.

Major Budget initiatives include:

  • Investing $15 million into community-based (non-medical) supports for aging New Yorkers. This investment will help serve more older adults, will help them maintain their autonomy, and delay future Medicaid costs by intervening with less intensive services earlier.
  • Authorizing private pay models to allow current service providers to expand access to services in their communities. This proposal enables SOFA to work with counties and allow middle-income New Yorkers to purchase SOFA services with private dollars, thereby generating revenue that must be reinvested back into service provision.
  • Deferring the statutory FY 2020 increase to the Human Services Cost of Living Adjustment, saving $5.1 million in FY 2020 and $5.2 million in FY 2021.

For more information on this agency's budget recommendations located in the Executive Budget Briefing Book, click on the following link:

Program Highlights

Community Services for the Elderly

The Community Services for the Elderly program supports multiple service options, including transportation, in-home services, and case management. Approximately 125,160 people are served annually.

Expanded In-home Services for the Elderly

This program supports non-medical in-home services, case management, non-institutional respite care, and ancillary services for functionally impaired older adults. Approximately 51,035 people are served annually.

Wellness in Nutrition

The Wellness in Nutrition program supports home-delivered meals, nutrition counseling, nutrition education, and congregate meals. Approximately 215,000 people are served annually.

NY Connects

NY Connects provides free, objective, and comprehensive information on long term care services and supports. It has expanded statewide to serve all populations and currently serves approximately 241,000 people annually.

ALL FUNDS
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Category Available
FY 2019
Appropriations
Recommended
FY 2020
Change From
FY 2019
Reappropriations
Recommended
FY 2020
State Operations 11,340,000 12,321,000 981,000 12,231,000
Aid To Localities 245,630,500 257,654,500 12,024,000 294,155,500
Total 256,970,500 269,975,500 13,005,000 306,386,500

ALL FUND TYPES
PROJECTED LEVELS OF EMPLOYMENT BY PROGRAM
FILLED ANNUAL SALARIED POSITIONS
Program FY 2019
Estimated FTEs
03/31/19
FY 2020
Estimated FTEs
03/31/20
FTE Change
Administration and Grants Management
General Fund 12 18 6
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 83 77 (6)
Total 95 95 0

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Fund Type Available
FY 2019
Recommended
FY 2020
Change
Enterprise Funds 100,000 100,000 0
General Fund 1,236,000 2,217,000 981,000
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 9,754,000 9,754,000 0
Special Revenue Funds - Other 250,000 250,000 0
Total 11,340,000 12,321,000 981,000

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program Available
FY 2019
Recommended
FY 2020
Change
Administration and Grants Management
Enterprise Funds 100,000 100,000 0
General Fund 1,236,000 2,217,000 981,000
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 9,754,000 9,754,000 0
Special Revenue Funds - Other 250,000 250,000 0
Total 11,340,000 12,321,000 981,000

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF PERSONAL SERVICE APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2020 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Personal Service Regular
(Annual Salaried)
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration and Grants Management 1,861,000 731,000 1,861,000 731,000
Total 1,861,000 731,000 1,861,000 731,000

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2020 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Supplies and Materials
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration and Grants Management 356,000 250,000 15,600 0
Total 356,000 250,000 15,600 0
STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2020 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Travel Contractual Services
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration and Grants Management 29,400 0 303,000 250,000
Total 29,400 0 303,000 250,000
STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2020 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Equipment
Amount Change
Administration and Grants Management 8,000 0
Total 8,000 0

STATE OPERATIONS - OTHER THAN GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2020 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Personal Service
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration and Grants Management 10,104,000 0 7,725,000 0
Total 10,104,000 0 7,725,000 0
STATE OPERATIONS - OTHER THAN GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2020 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Nonpersonal Service
Amount Change
Administration and Grants Management 2,379,000 0
Total 2,379,000 0

AID TO LOCALITIES
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Fund Type Available
FY 2019
Recommended
FY 2020
Change
General Fund 129,665,500 141,689,500 12,024,000
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 114,985,000 114,985,000 0
Special Revenue Funds - Other 980,000 980,000 0
Total 245,630,500 257,654,500 12,024,000

AID TO LOCALITIES
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program Available
FY 2019
Recommended
FY 2020
Change
Community Services
General Fund 129,665,500 141,689,500 12,024,000
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 114,985,000 114,985,000 0
Special Revenue Funds - Other 980,000 980,000 0
Total 245,630,500 257,654,500 12,024,000

Note: Most recent estimates as of 1/15/2019