Senior Legal Hotline Act of 2025

Summary

Creates a new federal grant program under the Older Americans Act to fund statewide legal hotlines that provide legal information, advice, and referrals to older people. The program authorizes $10,000,000 per year for FY2027–FY2031, requires competitive grants to nonprofit organizations or partnerships, and requires recipients to provide a 25% non‑Federal match, coordinate with state and local legal providers, perform outreach to older people with greatest economic and social need, and maintain conflict‑of‑interest safeguards.

• Establishes a competitive federal grant program to create or operate statewide legal hotlines serving older individuals.
• Authorizes $10 million per year for FY2027–FY2031 for the grant program (appropriations required).
• Grantees must be nonprofits or partnerships and must provide at least a 25% non‑Federal match (cash or in‑kind).
• Recipients must coordinate with state agencies, Legal Services Corporation programs, Title III Part B grantees, law school clinics, and other providers.
• Grantees must prioritize outreach to older individuals with the greatest economic and social need and ensure staff training and conflict‑of‑interest safeguards.
• Only one grant may be awarded per State in a fiscal year for a hotline serving that State to avoid duplication.
• Program focuses on providing legal information, advice, brief services, and referral mechanisms rather than long-term legal representation.
• Funding is authorized but must still be appropriated annually before grants can be awarded.