Proposed Funding Increase for Independent Living

A message from the National Council on Independent Living

The 2014 Omnibus Appropriations bill currently before Congress includes funding increases for Independent Living programs. If passed, the bill will increase total funding for Independent Living programs 3.34%, from a Fiscal Year 2013 total of $130 million to a new Fiscal Year 2014 total of nearly $135 million.

The 3.34% increase would provide equivalent boosts to funding for Parts B, C, and Chapter 2 programs. Specifically, Part C funding for CILs would grow to $78.3 million. Part B State Grant funding would be raised to a new total of $22.9 million. Chapter 2, Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind, would increase to $33.317 million. If the bill passes, Part B and Chapter 2 programs would see the increased funding immediately. Part C funded Centers would receive the increased amounts on October 1, 2014.

These necessary increases will help curb the impact of the senseless 5% cut leveled by sequestration against Department of Education programs, including Independent Living. That said, we will still feel the sting of sequester cuts in Fiscal Year 2014. NCIL will continue to push Congress and the Administration to demand additional investments in Independent Living and programs that empower and support people with disabilities!

We encourage you to call your Senator or Congressperson to thank them for the proposed increase and ask them to pass the 2014 Omnibus Appropriations bill.

Be sure to let them know that IL Programs save the Federal Government over 80 million dollars a year! See a fact sheet documenting the social and fiscal contributions made by Centers (PDF or Word).

Following are some additional details on the FY2013 funding levels and proposed increases in the 2014 Omnibus Appropriations bill.

Part B (State Grants)