09/26/2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 26, 2025
Washington, D.C. — The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL), and the National Association of Statewide Independent Living Councils (NASILC) are raising urgent concern that despite assurances of pending funding, federal Notices of Award (NOAs) for Part C funds have still not been formally issued.
Without official awards in hand, Centers for Independent Living (CILs) remain unable to be certain of and access the dollars they need to keep their doors open and continue serving people with disabilities. For Centers operating on razor-thin margins – most with less than a 30-day cash reserve – the distinction between “unofficially awarded” and certainty that the funds will be allocated and received is the difference between continuity and collapse.
“Assurances that NOAs will be on time don’t pay staff, keep the lights on, or sustain critical programs,” said Jason Beloungy, NCIL President and Executive Director of Access to Independence, a CIL in Madison, WI. “Until Notices of Award are issued, Centers remain at risk, and Independent Living services for people with disabilities remain in limbo.”
CILs provide essential, federally mandated services that directly affect the independence and well-being of people with disabilities, including employment assistance, independent living skills training, peer support, and advocacy. Every day of uncertainty undermines local communities and erodes trust in the federal commitment to disability rights.
“We are living in very uncertain times. Many states are already slashing their budgets in response to impending federal cuts. CILs not having their Notice of Award further stresses the network of organizations delivering imperative services to people with disabilities,” said Elissa Ellis, APRIL Executive Director.
“NASILC represents Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs) across the nation and while SILCs do not provide direct services, we are partners within the IL Network. When CIL funding is delayed, the ripple effects reach every level of our network: statewide planning stalls, systems change efforts are undermined, and people with disabilities lose critical opportunities for independence and participation,” said Brooke Wilson, NASILC Chair.
These organizations are calling on federal agencies and Members of Congress to ensure that awards are issued immediately and to reform this process so that no future fiscal year leaves Centers and the people they serve waiting until the last moment (or beyond) for the funding they depend on.
Call to Action
1. Contact your Members of Congress immediately to demand the release of Notices of Award before September 30.
2.Urge state and local policymakers to amplify pressure and highlight the immediate threat to local services.
3. Share the impact on your community: stories of individuals, families, and staff who will be harmed if CILs cannot continue operations.
4. Join us in making it clear that this is not a future risk; it is a crisis unfolding now.
Contact your Members of Congress: https://bit.ly/3WbjiF4
For press inquiries, please contact:
Jessica Podesva, J.D.
Director of Advocacy & Public Policy
National Council on Independent Living
202-864-4251 | jessica@ncil.org
Jason Beloungy
President
National Council on Independent Living
608-445-8250 | jasonb@accesstoind.org
Image Description: NCIL, NASILC, and APRIL logos in a line from left-to-right. Text below says "Unofficial Isn't Enough: Centers for Independent Living Still Waiting for Federal Funding. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. September 26, 2025.
