AARP District of Columbia: Fighting for the District’s 50-Plus

Tell the DC Council to support a Senior Friendly Budget! Click here to make your voice heard: https://action.aarp.org/ContactDCChair

The District Council is preparing its response to the fiscal 2024 budget released by the Mayor. Now the Council has the duty to assess and indeed scrutinize the policy priorities of the executive branch as illustrated by the Mayor’s budget. The Council then presents its own fiscal year budget, often a mixture of similar and dissimilar proposals than those set forth in the Mayor’s budget.

A budget is a set of priorities put in numbers. Show me your budget, and I’ll understand what you value. For 65 years, AARP has advocated for Americans 50+ having what they need to live their best life at any age, choosing where they want to live, and never being discriminated against because of their age, gender or financial status. And for 60 years and going, AARP does this in a non-partisan way.

With volunteers and staff, we fight for the issues important to our 78,000 members in the District, and all District residents age 50+ and their families. The week of April 24^th is AARP DC Lobby Week when our volunteers are meeting with Councilmembers, reinforcing with them how important it is that they make sure no senior goes hungry, no senior is isolated because of absent transportation services, no senior goes without access inside their home to affordable hi-speed internet, and family caregivers feel that the District has their back.

Now is the time to make YOUR voice heard for yourself; or for a family member, friend, or a stranger living in the District who needs an advocate. Won’t you call the District Council so they can hear firsthand just how important these programs are to you?

Please call or send an email to the DC Council with this message.  

Currently, the District has the highest rate of senior food insecurity in the country. AARP DC is advocating for more funding for senior grocery support, community dining, and home delivered meals.

TAKE ACTION: Tell the DC Council to include $8.1 million for Department of Aging & Community Living’s (DACL) home delivered meals to ensure adequate service delivery for existing and new recipients.

Many seniors face social isolation and 58 percent of District residents over the age of 65 do not have access to a device to connect to the internet. AARP DC is advocating for increased in-person activities and more tools, such as internet access and iPads, for seniors to connect online.

TAKE ACTION: Tell the DC Council to include $240,000 in funding to support the Mayor’s Senior iPad program.

Many seniors need access to reliable transportation options to get them to doctor appointments, meet up with friends, or make a trip to the grocery store.

TAKE ACTION: Tell the DC Council to support the Mayor’s one-time increase of $1,500,000 for the Connector Card program.

For residents 65+ living in the District, the Safe at Home program provides safety adaptations in and around the homes of qualifying seniors and adults with disabilities.

TAKE ACTION: Tell the DC Council to include $425,000 in funding for the Safe at Home 2.0 expansion program.


Make a call today! You can call the DC City Council at (202) 724-8000. Tell them which At-Large and Ward Councilmembers you want to get a message to and they will connect you.  Or visit: dccouncil.gov and scroll to the bottom of the page to find and connect with your Councilmember by email.

Please email us at dcaarp@aarp.org or call 202-434-7700 to share a personal story you have regarding any of these issues. Follow our social media, Facebook.com/aarpdc and twitter.com/aarpdc, for updates and more ways to get involved.