Courtney Welcomes Biden Administration's Release of Over $15.7 Million in American Rescue Plan Funding to Support Eastern Connecticut’s Older Americans

NORWICH, CT—Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) welcomed the Biden Administration's release of $15,794,326 in federal funding for critical Older Americans Act programs throughout Connecticut. The funding was authorized as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (H.R. 1319) which Rep. Courtney helped pass. Click here to read more.

"In eastern Connecticut, we've still got lines at drive-through food banks, and my office is still hearing from seniors who are looking for more support," said Rep. Courtney. "Our recovery is moving forward but people are still climbing out of this. There's no doubt that this American Rescue Plan funding for Older Americans will go a long way towards helping seniors in eastern Connecticut, and it will go towards everything from providing caregiver support, mental health resources, expanding access to vaccines for seniors who live in rural areas, and more. I'm glad to see President Biden and his Administration move to make the new support available, and my office is ready to keep helping all of our region's seniors and their families with questions as we keep our recovery going strong."

As Older Americans Month begins, this funding focuses on programs to support Connecticut seniors, with an emphasis on much-needed pandemic relief, including:

• $8,397,648 for meals for older adults in Connecticut;
• $5,150,558 for Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) through the Older Americans Act, supporting older Americans to age with dignity and safety in their homes and communities;
• $492,662 for evidence-based health promotion and disease prevention in Connecticut;
• $1,641,489 to help family caregivers support their loved ones; and
• $111,969 to safeguard the health and welfare of residents in Connecticut's long-term care facilities.

Rep. Courtney has helped lead the effort to deliver support to seniors and their families during the pandemic. In addition to delivering $1.4 billion in funding for Older Americans Act programs through the American Rescue Plan, Courtney helped to secure critical investments in the health, safety and financial security of older Americans. The American Rescue Plan increased funding to vaccinate seniors throughout eastern Connecticut, and to ensure they can afford rent and mortgage payments, utilities, put food on the table, and more.

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