Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2026 ACL AOA LAEP 0055
The Legal Assistance Enhancement Program (LAEP) Grants opportunity is a discretionary federal funding program offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Administration for Community Living (ACL). It is designed to strengthen how legal help is delivered to older adults by supporting projects that expand or improve legal services using public-private partnerships at the state and local levels. The program is anchored in Older Americans Act requirements, specifically Section 307(a)(11), and implementing regulations found at 45 C.F.R. 1321.93 and 1324.303, which emphasize the importance of accessible, effective legal assistance as part of a broader aging services network.
ACL expects to make about five awards under this announcement, and the funding instrument is a cooperative agreement. That matters because cooperative agreements typically involve substantial involvement from the federal agency compared to a standard grant, meaning awardees should expect an ongoing working relationship with ACL (for example, coordination, technical input, or joint planning around deliverables and outcomes). The focus is not simply to add short-term capacity, but to produce measurable and sustainable improvements in legal assistance for older adults. In practical terms, funded projects should be able to show real, trackable gains (such as increased reach, reduced wait times, better case outcomes, improved referral systems, or stronger coordination among providers) and also demonstrate how the improvements will continue after the grant period ends.
A key feature of this opportunity is its emphasis on supporting the full continuum of legal assistance for older adults, not just one narrow type of service. ACL explicitly describes a range that includes everything from legal information and advice through full representation, indicating that successful applicants may propose models that strengthen intake and triage, expand pro bono or low-cost representation, improve complex case handling, or build partnerships that connect older adults to the right level of legal support more efficiently. The partnership component is central: projects are expected to bring together public and private resources, which could include collaborations among state and local agencies, aging network organizations, legal aid providers, bar associations, law school clinics, courts, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders positioned to improve legal service delivery.
The announcement lists eligibility as "unrestricted," meaning it does not narrowly limit the types of domestic applicants that may apply, so long as they meet the program and federal eligibility requirements. It also clearly states that foreign entities are not eligible to apply for or receive awards under this funding opportunity. At the same time, it explicitly affirms that faith-based and community organizations are eligible if they meet the eligibility requirements, signaling that ACL welcomes a wide range of capable local and state partners, including nonprofit and community-rooted providers that can demonstrate the capacity to implement and sustain the proposed enhancements.
Administratively, the opportunity number is HHS 2026 ACL AOA LAEP 0055, and it is categorized under Income Security and Social Services with CFDA number 93.048. The application deadline listed is August 25, 2026. The award ceiling is $250,000, which indicates the maximum expected federal funding per award (though actual award sizes can vary depending on what ACL decides to fund and the final approved budgets). The opportunity was created on June 29, 2026, and is positioned as a targeted investment to modernize and strengthen legal assistance systems serving older adults through scalable partnerships and outcomes-driven service improvements.Apply for HHS 2026 ACL AOA LAEP 0055
- The Administration for Community Living in the income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Legal Assistance Enhancement Program Grants" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.048.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-06-29.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-08-25. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $250,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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Legal Assistance Enhancement Program (LAEP) Grants - FAQs
What is the Legal Assistance Enhancement Program (LAEP) Grants opportunity?
The Legal Assistance Enhancement Program (LAEP) Grants opportunity is a discretionary federal funding program from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), administered through the Administration for Community Living (ACL). It supports projects intended to strengthen how legal help is delivered to older adults by expanding or improving legal services through public-private partnerships at the state and local levels.
Which federal agency and office are offering this funding?
This opportunity is offered by HHS through ACL (Administration for Community Living).
What is the main purpose of LAEP funding?
The purpose is to produce measurable and sustainable improvements in legal assistance for older adults. The program emphasizes strengthening legal service delivery systems (not just short-term capacity) and improving how older adults access and receive legal help through better coordination, partnerships, and outcomes-driven enhancements.
What law and regulations does the program rely on?
The program is anchored in the Older Americans Act, specifically Section 307(a)(11), and implementing regulations at 45 C.F.R. 1321.93 and 1324.303. These authorities emphasize accessible and effective legal assistance as part of the broader aging services network.
How many awards does ACL expect to make?
ACL expects to make about five awards under this announcement.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.
Why does it matter that the award is a cooperative agreement?
Cooperative agreements typically involve substantial federal involvement compared to a standard grant. Awardees should expect an ongoing working relationship with ACL, which may include coordination, technical input, or joint planning around deliverables and outcomes.
What kinds of improvements should a funded project be able to demonstrate?
Projects should be able to show real, trackable gains and also explain how improvements will continue after the grant period ends. Examples of measurable improvements mentioned in the announcement include increased reach, reduced wait times, better case outcomes, improved referral systems, and stronger coordination among providers.
Does LAEP focus on one narrow legal service, or the full range of legal help older adults may need?
LAEP emphasizes supporting the full continuum of legal assistance for older adults. ACL describes a range that includes legal information and advice through full representation, rather than focusing on only one narrow service type.
What are examples of project approaches that may fit LAEP priorities?
Based on the announcement, potential approaches could include strengthening intake and triage, expanding pro bono or low-cost representation, improving complex case handling, or building partnerships that connect older adults to the right level of legal support more efficiently.
How important are partnerships in this opportunity?
Partnerships are central to this opportunity. Projects are expected to bring together public and private resources at state and local levels to improve legal service delivery for older adults.
Who might be included as partners in a LAEP project?
The announcement suggests partnerships could include state and local agencies, aging network organizations, legal aid providers, bar associations, law school clinics, courts, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders positioned to improve legal service delivery.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as "unrestricted," meaning the opportunity does not narrowly limit the types of domestic applicants that may apply, as long as applicants meet program and federal eligibility requirements.
Are foreign entities eligible to apply or receive awards?
No. The announcement states that foreign entities are not eligible to apply for or receive awards under this funding opportunity.
Are faith-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly affirms that faith-based and community organizations are eligible if they meet the eligibility requirements.
What is the opportunity number?
The opportunity number is HHS 2026 ACL AOA LAEP 0055.
What is the CFDA number and program category listed for this opportunity?
The CFDA number is 93.048, and the opportunity is categorized under Income Security and Social Services.
What is the application deadline?
The application deadline listed is August 25, 2026.
What is the maximum award amount (ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $250,000, indicating the maximum expected federal funding per award (actual award amounts may vary based on what ACL funds and final approved budgets).
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on June 29, 2026.
Is the program intended to fund temporary service expansion or longer-term system improvements?
The program is positioned as a targeted investment to modernize and strengthen legal assistance systems serving older adults. It emphasizes measurable improvements and sustainability beyond the grant period, rather than only short-term capacity increases.
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Disaster Assistance for State Units on Aging (SUAs) and Tribal Organizations Apply for HHS 2026 ACL AOA DASG 0012 Funding Number: HHS 2026 ACL AOA DASG 0012 Agency: Administration for Community Living Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Alzheimer's Disease Programs Initiative (ADPI) - State and Community Grant Program Apply for HHS 2026 ACL AOA ADPI 0002 Funding Number: HHS 2026 ACL AOA ADPI 0002 Agency: Administration for Community Living Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| National Resource Center for Women and Retirement Apply for HHS 2026 ACL AOA PCPN 0011 Funding Number: HHS 2026 ACL AOA PCPN 0011 Agency: Administration for Community Living Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $239,000 |
| National Ombudsman Resource Center Apply for HHS 2026 ACL AOA OMRC 0128 Funding Number: HHS 2026 ACL AOA OMRC 0128 Agency: Administration for Community Living Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $516,407 |
| Lifespan Respite National Technical Assistance and Resource Center Apply for HHS 2026 ACL AOA LRLT 0056 Funding Number: HHS 2026 ACL AOA LRLT 0056 Agency: Administration for Community Living Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $420,000 |
| U.S. Administration on Aging, National Resource Centers on Older Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiian Programs Apply for HHS 2026 ACL AOA OIRC 0018 Funding Number: HHS 2026 ACL AOA OIRC 0018 Agency: Administration for Community Living Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $340,000 |
| University Centers for Developmental Disabilities in Education, Research, and Service Apply for HHS 2026 ACL AOD DDUC 0022 Funding Number: HHS 2026 ACL AOD DDUC 0022 Agency: Administration for Community Living Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $629,042 |
| Peer Supports for Augmentative and Alternative Communication Apply for HHS 2026 ACL AOD DNSA 0023 Funding Number: HHS 2026 ACL AOD DNSA 0023 Agency: Administration for Community Living Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $775,000 |
| Expanding Financial Literacy and Empowerment: Increasing Awareness and Use of ABLE Accounts for Americans with Disabilities Apply for HHS 2026 ACL AOD DFLA 0025 Funding Number: HHS 2026 ACL AOD DFLA 0025 Agency: Administration for Community Living Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,200,000 |
| Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance Apply for HHS 2026 ACF ANA NL 0117 Funding Number: HHS 2026 ACF ANA NL 0117 Agency: Administration for Children and Families - ANA Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $900,000 |
| Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance-Esther Martinez Immersion Apply for HHS 2026 ACF ANA NB 0116 Funding Number: HHS 2026 ACF ANA NB 0116 Agency: Administration for Children and Families - ANA Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $900,000 |
| Environmental Regulatory Enhancement Apply for HHS 2026 ACF ANA NR 0115 Funding Number: HHS 2026 ACF ANA NR 0115 Agency: Administration for Children and Families - ANA Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $900,000 |
| Home Study and Post-Release Services for Unaccompanied Alien Children Apply for HHS 2026 ACF ORR ZU 0019 Funding Number: HHS 2026 ACF ORR ZU 0019 Agency: Administration for Children and Families - ORR Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $50,000,000 |
| Wilson Fish Bridge to Employment Program Apply for HHS 2026 ACF ORR RW 0008 Funding Number: HHS 2026 ACF ORR RW 0008 Agency: Administration for Children and Families - ORR Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $14,438,363 |
| Regional Partnership Grants Apply for HHS 2026 ACF ACYF CU 0021 Funding Number: HHS 2026 ACF ACYF CU 0021 Agency: Administration for Children and Families - ACYF/CB Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Predictive Analytics in Child Welfare Demonstration Grants Apply for HHS 2026 ACF ACYF CA 0037 Funding Number: HHS 2026 ACF ACYF CA 0037 Agency: Administration for Children and Families - ACYF/CB Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Kinship Navigator Programs: Evaluations Apply for HHS 2026 ACF ACYF CF 0004 Funding Number: HHS 2026 ACF ACYF CF 0004 Agency: Administration for Children and Families - ACYF/CB Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Child Abuse Prevention in Migrant and Tribal Communities Apply for HHS 2026 ACF ACYF CA 0018 Funding Number: HHS 2026 ACF ACYF CA 0018 Agency: Administration for Children and Families - ACYF/CB Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $235,500 |
| Competitive Personal Responsibility Education Program Apply for HHS 2026 ACF ACYF AK 0014 Funding Number: HHS 2026 ACF ACYF AK 0014 Agency: Administration for Children Families - ACYF/FYSB Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $450,000 |
| Kinship Navigator Programs: Replication and Tribal Adaptation Apply for HHS 2026 ACF ACYF CF 0005 Funding Number: HHS 2026 ACF ACYF CF 0005 Agency: Administration for Children and Families - ACYF/CB Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $500,000 |
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