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State of Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee

Governor McKee, Office of Healthy Aging Highlight Need for Continued Investment in Senior Support Services in FY26 Budget Proposal

Published on Tuesday, March 18, 2025

PROVIDENCE, RI — Today, Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging (OHA) joined staff and older Rhode Islanders at Federal Hill House in Providence to highlight the need for a $200,000 increase in funding for senior support services as included in the Governor’s FY26 budget proposal.

This investment reinforces the McKee Administration’s commitment to expanding essential services that help older Rhode Islanders age with dignity, independence, and access to critical resources.

“Older Rhode Islanders deserve access to community-based services that help them remain independent, safe, and active,” said Governor Dan McKee. “This targeted investment—which I am proud to have increased each year as Governor—advances critical, local programming that supports aging in place, and access to essential resources in line with my administration's RI 2030 Plan.”

The Governor’s proposed $200,000 increase will allow OHA to distribute a total of $1.6 million to nearly 60 community agencies. Over the last three budgets, the Governor has increased senior services support funding by $400,000, rising from $1 million in FY23 to $1.4 million in FY25.

Funds are primarily distributed through a formula providing each city and town a percentage of funds based on the geographic distribution of older adults living in Rhode Island.

“The Governor knows that people are best served by the people closest to them. This additional funding will help us strengthen key programs that improve the lives of older adults who seek services in their local neighborhoods and from their shared cultural communities,” said OHA Director Maria Cimini. “Like the community at Federal Hill House, we are committed to ensuring that every older Rhode Islander, and every caregiver, has someone familiar to turn to for the support they need to age with dignity and independence.”

“Older adults are an integral part of the intergenerational community we’ve created at Federal Hill House. They volunteer in our early learning center, food pantry, senior center, and tax prep programs through AmeriCorps Seniors; they share meals, exercise, recreation, and wellness activities at our senior center; and they access critical food support through our active food pantry, which served 2,755 households led by older adults in 2024,” said Kimberly Fernandez, Executive Director of the Federal Hill House. “Investments in opportunities and supports for older adults help keep them healthy and engaged as they age in community, and we support Governor McKee’s investment in senior service supports.”

Since taking office, the McKee Administration has made key investments to support the improved quality of life and health of older Rhode Islanders, including:

  • As of January 1, 2023, fully exempting military service pensions from Rhode Island personal income tax.
  • Raising the exemption for taxable retirement income from $20,000 to $50,000, projected to save Rhode Islanders $3.0 million in FY25 and $6.2 million in FY26.
  • Supporting elderly nutrition, including Meals on Wheels, with a total of nearly $2 million over the last three years.