Legal Assistance Enhancement Program Grants

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) from the Administration for Community Living (ACL) announces the Legal Assistance Enhancement Program (LAEP) Grants (HHS-2026-ACL-AOA-LAEP-0055). Funded under the Older Americans Act, this initiative supports innovative pilot projects aimed at expanding and improving civil legal assistance for older adults with critical social or economic needs. ACL plans to award up to four cooperative agreements, totaling $2 million over a two-year period of performance (September 30, 2026, to September 29, 2028). The funding range per applicant is $200,000 to $300,000 per budget period, requiring a 25% non-federal cost-sharing match. Eligible applicants are unrestricted but must propose collaborative projects partnering a legal service provider with their state’s Legal Assistance Developer (LAD). To be considered, applications must include a signed Meaningful Collaboration Plan between the provider and the LAD, a 24-month work plan, and a 24-month budget. Projects must target one Older Americans Act priority area—such as housing, healthcare, or abuse prevention—and demonstrate measurable improvements in the health or financial well-being of participants. Additionally, grantees must establish a project evaluation plan and develop a comprehensive Replication Plan to expand the pilot’s successful interventions to other regions within their state. Optional notices of intent are due July 24, 2026, and final applications must be submitted via Grants.gov by August 25, 2026.