Statement to Membership and Explainer on the President’s FY 2027 Budget
Every year, the President publishes a proposal for the President’s fiscal priorities and funding recommendations. Congress considers this proposal when drafting and passing the final federal budget. Congress has the sole authority to give permission to the federal government to spend money. This authority is called appropriations.
On April 3, 2026, the President released his budget proposal for Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2027 for Congress to consider. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) published their budget justification document late Friday afternoon.
The DHHS budget justification is a document that provides estimates and rationale for the proposed funding amounts for Congressional Appropriations Committees to consider. This budget justification is for Federal Fiscal Year 2027, which runs from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027. There are several recommendations that have significant consequences to the nation’s network of disability and aging programs, including the national Independent Living Program.
For more information about the Federal Fiscal Year and Independent Living grant cycles, see NCIL’s previous explainer.
This update will focus solely on proposed budget changes within Administration on Disability programs, and we are currently reviewing other relevant sections of the budget proposal that may impact CILs, SILCs and people with disabilities. As we gather more information, we will provide further updates and resources. However, it is notable that Aging and Disability Resource Centers are proposed to be level funded.
While the proposal looks similar to last year’s at first glance, there are notable differences on which NCIL seeks clarity from the Administration.
The budget proposes an increase to the Independent Living Program of $100 million. The justification proposes that the increase be distributed across Part B (state grants) and Part C (Centers for Independent Living) as follows:
“56 state grants will be made with an average of $447,983 and a range of $31,359 to $2,132,488 and that Centers for Independent Living grants will be awarded at higher levels based on a new formula.”
The justification does not provide any additional details about a “new formula”. NCIL will be reaching out to the Administration for further information and clarification.
Additionally, the justification proposes:
- Level funding for State Councils on Developmental Disabilities
- Level funding for Protection and Advocacy Agencies
- Elimination of funding for the Paralysis Resource Center
- Elimination of funding for the Limb Loss Resource Center
- Elimination of funding for Voting Access for People with Disabilities
- Elimination of funding for University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
- Elimination of funding for Developmental Disabilities Act Projects of National Significance
Funding for the Limb Loss Resource Center, Paralysis Resource Center, Voting Access for People with Disabilities, University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, and the Developmental Disabilities Act Projects of National Significance should be maintained AND the Independent Living Program should receive the increase of $100 million dollars proposed in this budget.
NCIL will continue to advocate on behalf of the entirety of the IL Program, including CILs, SILCs, and the individuals with disabilities we serve. We are also aware that CILs and SILCs, in multiple states, are facing challenging state-level budget cuts that directly impact thousands of people with disabilities.
The Independent Living Program needs this crucial increase in federal funding to properly support a nationwide network of over 350 CILs and 56 SILCs, and to serve people of all disabilities across the lifespan. However, the programs proposed to be eliminated are of value to all of us.
We will continue to provide information, updates, and opportunities for advocacy in the coming months as Congress considers this proposal. If you have any questions, please contact NCIL Director of Advocacy and Public Policy Jessica Podesva at jessica@ncil.org.
