Funding Solution Identified to Maintain Senior Citizens’ Meal Program

“Just like our Kentucky families, our state must work within a balanced budget,” said the Governor. “To ensure we remain fiscally responsible while still appropriately funding the Senior Meals program, we must understand the difference in costs per meal across the different ADDs, as well as eligibility, procedures and numbers of meals available to confirm all funding is being used appropriately.””

Governor Andy Beshear

Last Friday, State Legislators commended the state budget director’s decision to transfer funding from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services to restore Kentucky’s senior meal program.

Gov. Beshear has the authority to transfer funding, pursuant to House Bill 6, and will use $9.1 million from the $25 million General Fund appropriation in fiscal year 2026 to Medicaid for “Medicaid Reimbursement Rebasing Efforts” for the Senior Meals program. The $25 million was contingent on approval of a proposal by the General Assembly that did not occur and therefore is available for reallocation to the Aging and Independent Living appropriation unit for the Senior Meals program.

On October 17, 2025 the Kentucky State Budget Director, John T. Hicks, sent a memo to concerned members of the House Legislature.

In this memo, Hicks wrote:

Pursuant to House Bill 6, Part III, Section 23, the Office of State Budget Director has approved a General Fund appropriation reallocation as follows:
Cabinet: Health and Family Services
Appropriation Units: Medicaid Benefits and Aging and Independent Living
Amount: $9,100,000
Reason: The reallocation of $9,100,000 is from the Medicaid Benefits appropriation unit which is available from the $25 million that was contingent on approval of a proposal by the General Assembly that did not occur in the 2025 Regular Session. This funding is reallocated to the Aging and Independent Living appropriation unit for the Senior Meals program.

The Governor requested that the General Assembly retroactively approve the movement of the $9.1 million, which leadership has agreed to do.

Moments before the announcement was made, the Governor held a call with ADD leaders from across the state to share the news. During that call, Gov. Beshear also shared plans to request that the Finance Cabinet review the entire Senior Meals program to understand future funding needs and ensure consistent practices across the program.

“Just like our Kentucky families, our state must work within a balanced budget,” said the Governor. “To ensure we remain fiscally responsible while still appropriately funding the Senior Meals program, we must understand the difference in costs per meal across the different ADDs, as well as eligibility, procedures and numbers of meals available to confirm all funding is being used appropriately.”

The Department for Aging and Independent Living was instructed to move swiftly, communicate clearly, and provide accurate information ahead of the 2026 session in coordination with the programs’ advocates and area development district directors.
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Background
The senior meals crisis began after a September 8 memo from the Beshear administration told local agencies and seniors that “we must tighten our belts.” During the pandemic, one-time federal COVID funds had expanded the senior meals program.

Everyone knew those dollars would eventually run out, and advocates warned that about $14.5 million annually would be needed each year in state funding to keep serving seniors at the same level. The Beshear administration requested only $10 million annually, which the legislature funded as requested. Once the temporary federal funds expired, the gap became clear, and programs began cutting back.

Local agencies that operate the program were left in confusion, trying to stretch limited funds while seniors waited. In response, the general public and lawmakers from both chambers called for immediate action. On October 9, during a meeting of LOIC, Sens. Greg Elkins, Danny Carroll, Phillip Wheeler, Jason Howell, and other committee members urged the governor to use his existing budget authority or call a special session to restore funding.

The legislature had already given the administration flexibility to shift funds within existing budgets when emergencies arise. The state budget director used that authority to move $9.1 million to the senior meals program. This transfer fixes the immediate funding shortfall and allows local providers to begin restoring meal services for seniors across Kentucky.