A recent report from New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli highlights the need for improved oversight and transparency in state-funded programs for seniors, as federal funding becomes less reliable and the state’s senior population continues to grow.
“New York has an obligation to support seniors who need and qualify for in-home, meal or other support services,” DiNapoli said. “These critical services provide necessary care and help people remain in their homes and communities, while preventing more expensive institutional care. The Legislature has stepped up with more funding for the Office for the Aging, but with thousands still on waitlists and some funding going unspent, we need greater transparency and stronger tracking to make sure the state’s investment is truly reaching those who need it.”
According to projections, by 2030 about 5.5 million New Yorkers will be aged 60 or older. Nearly 70% of adults over 65 are expected to require some form of long-term care at some point. Recent reductions in federal funding that support benefits such as Medicaid may lead to increased demand on state-funded services.
The report notes that most seniors prefer receiving care at home instead of moving into institutions. However, as their numbers rise, local agencies face increasing pressure to meet needs like personal care, meal delivery, transportation, case management, and caregiver support. In June, a Master Plan for Aging Final Report was released by the state assessing these services and recommending improvements; it identified workforce availability as a key challenge.
State budget allocations for New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) programs rose by more than 88%, amounting to an additional $114 million between fiscal years 2018–19 and 2025–26. This includes funding for programs such as the Expanded In-Home Services for the Elderly Program (EISEP) among others provided through local agencies.
Despite these increases in funding intended to expand access—especially for personal care and meals—demand still exceeds supply. Thousands of seniors remain on waitlists while some allocated funds have not been spent fully. This situation raises questions about whether resources are being used effectively.
In a previous audit released in 2023, DiNapoli found that NYSOFA had not consistently monitored local agency performance or issued guidance on managing waitlists. The new report also points out gaps in available data regarding participation rates and financial allocations—particularly concerning in-home service funds—which makes it difficult to evaluate where shortfalls exist or how efficiently taxpayer money is being used.
NYSOFA does not currently publish enough information to assess either program effectiveness or how unmet needs funding is utilized across counties. DiNapoli recommends making service data more consistent and transparent while publicly reporting county-level waitlists.
The full report titled “New York’s Support for Aging New Yorkers” provides further detail along with related audits examining NYSOFA’s monitoring practices over time.
