TARCOG senior employment program resumes with higher pay, openings across five counties

After a year of uncertainty tied to federal funding, the Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments’ Senior Community Service Employment Program is back and now offering higher wages and new opportunities for older workers across North Alabama.

The program, which provides paid, part-time job training for individuals age 55 and older, is currently seeking 48 participants following its reinstatement late last year. The openings are spread across DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marshall counties.

Participants in the program were furloughed July 1, 2025, amid concerns over potential federal funding cuts. On November 16, Program Manager John Sanders was notified that funding had been restored, allowing furloughed workers to return. The program is now funded through June 2026, with several changes in place.

One of the most significant updates is a pay increase. Previously set at $7.25 per hour, participant wages have risen to $12 per hour under a new pilot program. The higher wage allows participants to work up to 29 hours per week, providing additional financial support for seniors seeking part-time employment.

Sanders said the pilot program will be evaluated to determine whether the increased pay will continue beyond June 2026.

So far, 36 furloughed workers from the five-county region have returned to the program, while others have secured employment elsewhere. As a result, TARCOG is working to fill 48 available slots, including 16 openings in Madison County, 10 in Marshall County, 14 in DeKalb County, eight in Limestone County and six in Jackson County.

The Senior Community Service Employment Program places participants with public agencies and nonprofit organizations, offering paid job training designed to build new skills or strengthen existing ones. Participants may remain in the program for up to four years, with the goal of transitioning into permanent employment.

To qualify, applicants must be at least 55 years old, unemployed and have a monthly income below 125% of the federal poverty level.

For the current year, that threshold is $19,562.50 for a single person or $26,437.50 for a two-person household. Sanders noted that eligibility can vary based on individual circumstances and encouraged interested individuals to inquire directly. Veterans are given priority consideration.

“Determining eligibility is a one-on-one process with a lot of questions,” Sanders said. “If someone is interested in part-time employment to gain training for future opportunities, the best thing to do is call.”

For more information or to check eligibility, contact TARCOG at (256) 830-0818.

TARCOG is a regional organization formed by local governments in Northeast Alabama (DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison, Marshall counties) to collaboratively address regional issues and improve quality of life through services in aging, economic development and community planning.

Established in 1968, it provides technical assistance, secures funding and offers programs like senior support and infrastructure planning for its member communities.