From DC is Justice in Aging's weekly roundup of national news and resources about issues impacting older adults. To receive From DC in your inbox as soon as its published, sign up for our mailing list.
Here’s what we’re watching in Washington:
Continued Uncertainty Over SNAP Food Assistance for November
Yesterday, a federal court ordered the Trump Administration to distribute full benefits for SNAP food assistance households for November. This order directs the Administration to make SNAP payments to states by today. The Administration, however, is appealing and seeking a pause on the order. It remains uncertain if and when SNAP households will receive their benefits this month.
Two federal courts ruled last week that the Administration’s refusal to use contingency funds to continue SNAP benefits during the government shutdown is likely unlawful. In response, the Trump Administration had announced it would provide partial benefits in November for SNAP households.
Over 40 million low-income people – including 8 million seniors – rely on SNAP food assistance to afford groceries. Read more about SNAP and other programs supporting older adults’ basic needs.
California Supreme Court Upholds Law Protecting LGBT Long-Term Care Residents
On Thursday, the California Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of a California law prohibiting long-term care staff members from “willfuly and repeatedly” misgendering residents. A challenge to the law had argued that the law violated staff members’ freedom of speech, but the court found that the law related more to conduct than to speech.
In the court’s view, the law was comparable to common laws prohibiting harassment in the workplace; also, aside from the prohibition against repeatedly misgendering residents, employees are free to express their views on gender with anyone, including residents. The court emphasized that residents are a “captive audience” that depends on staff for health care and intimate personal care.
Justice in Aging filed an amicus brief defending the law with SAGE, the California Commission on Aging, California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, and Openhouse of San Francisco.
New Report on National Fair Housing Trends
The National Fair Housing Alliance released their 2025 Fair Housing Trends Report, which examines data from the prior year on housing discrimination complaints across the country. Over 50% of fair housing complaints involved disability discrimination, an issue often faced by older adults.
The report also found that the number of complaints based on national origin was the highest since 2018. States with the largest increases in complaints alleging national origin discrimination included California, Michigan, Oregon, and Pennsylvania.
The report underscores the importance of fair housing enforcement, which has been under threat by the Trump Administration. Among other efforts, the Administration has tried to defund nonprofit fair housing groups and rescinded a wide range of fair housing guidance, all while firing or re-assigning fair housing staff at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Urge Congress to defend fair housing, and learn about other federal housing updates affecting older adults.
New Justice in Aging Resources
- Toolkit: Consumer Protections – Member Rights (11/6)
- Toolkit: Consumer Protections – Member Engagement and Support (11/6)
- Fact Sheet: Facts About Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (11/3)
- Issue Brief: Final Rule to Streamline Enrollment in Medicare Savings Programs (Updated 10/30)
- Issue Brief: Final Rule to Streamline Access to Medicaid (Updated 10/30)
- Fact Sheet: Open Enrollment for 2026 Coverage through Medicare & the Marketplace—Basics for Advocates (10/17)
- Fact Sheet: Open Enrollment for 2026 Coverage through Medicare & Covered California — Basics for Advocates (10/17)
- Issue Brief: Expanding Medicare to Include Dental: A Path to Better Oral Health in Nursing Facilities (10/7)
Justice in Aging Webinars
- Protecting Older Renters: Understanding the California Tenant Protection Act (11/12)
- State Medicaid Agency Contract (SMAC) Template Toolkit: Consumer Protection Language Advocates Need to Know (12/2)
