State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) Grants

Background
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is a national initiative aimed at providing one-on-one assistance, counseling, and education to Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers. The program's mission is to help these individuals make informed decisions regarding their care and benefits.

This grant opportunity is issued by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) with the goal of strengthening state capabilities to support a community-based network of SHIP offices across the United States, including each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Grant Details
The SHIP grants will fund a five-year project period from April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2030. Each application must address strategic themes such as Service Excellence, Capacity Building, Innovation, and Operational Excellence.

Key tasks include:
- Providing statewide outreach and education
- Effective person-centered counseling related to Medicare benefits
- Promoting awareness of SHIP services
- Recruiting and training a diverse workforce
- Ensuring compliance with federal guidelines
- Conducting regular quality assurance
- Developing measurable outcomes based on SHIP Performance Measures.

The funding formula includes both regulatory and discretionary components to ensure equitable distribution among states.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include State Units on Aging (SUA), State Departments of Insurance (DOI), or State Medicaid Agencies as designated by the state Governor. There is no cost-sharing requirement for this program.

Period of Performance
The period of performance for this grant spans five years from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2030.

Grant Value
The total expected funding for this program is $260 million over the performance period. Individual grant awards will range from $60,000 to $4,200,000 per budget period.

Place of Performance
The grant activities will be performed in each state across the United States as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.