Aging, Office for the

Agency Web Site: https://aging.ny.gov/

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 in Albany, although SOFA staff routinely travel across the State to provide leadership, direction, and oversight to the AAAs and service providers.

Major Programs

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 123,000 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 70,000 people are served annually.

Wellness in Nutrition

The Wellness in Nutrition program supports home-delivered meals, nutrition counseling, nutrition education, and congregate meals. Approximately 210,000 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 270,000 people annually.

Budget Highlights

The FY 2026 Executive Budget recommends $406 million in appropriations for Aging. This is an increase of $28 million from the FY 2025 Enacted budget. This change is the result of the discontinuation of one-time Executive and legislative adds as well as additional support for an anticipated increase in Federal funding, additional funding for aging service needs and support for a 2.1 percent Cost of Living Adjustment. The Executive Budget recommends a workforce of 126 FTEs, which is flat from FY 2025.

Major budget initiatives include:

• Providing an additional $45 million in support for aging services to help reduce unmet service needs that are being experienced by local Area Agencies on Aging, including in-home services; nutitional supports, and transportation.
• Authorizing a 2.1 percent Targeted Inflationary Increase (TII) for SOFA Programming. The FY 2026 Executive Budget provides for a 2.1 percent Targeted Inflationary Increase (TII) for not-for-profits that provide services on behalf of the multiple health and human services agencies, including SOFA.

• Continuing investment into the State’s Master Plan for Aging with $1 million in funding in FY 2026 and FY 2027 under SOFA. This master plan will coordinate all State policy and programs and address challenges related to communication, coordination, caregiving, long-term financing, and innovative care models.

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

Briefing Book – Health Care

Note: Most recent estimates as of 01/21/2025