FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3, 2026
Contact:
Jennifer Watson
607-724-2111
jenniferw@stic-cil.org
Southern Tier Independence Center Calls on State Leaders to Increase Funding for Independent Living Services in the 2027 Budget
Binghamton, NY – Southern Tier Independence Center is calling on the Governor and the New York State Legislature to restore critical Independent Living funding and make meaningful investments in community‑based services as part of the 2027 State Budget. These investments are essential to ensure New Yorkers with disabilities can live independently, remain in their communities, and access the supports they need to thrive.
Independent Living Centers (ILCs) statewide provide no‑cost, consumer‑controlled services to thousands of New Yorkers with disabilities each year. Yet the Executive Budget released earlier this month fails to restore last year’s $750,000 legislative augmentation and once again excludes ILCs from the 1.7% targeted inflationary increase (COLA) provided to other human services organizations. Additionally, we urge the state to increase base funding for the network of ILCs to $25 million because we have been systemically underfunded for over a decade.
“For decades, Independent Living Centers have saved the State millions by helping people avoid institutionalization and unnecessary Medicaid expenditures,” said Jennifer Watson, Executive Director of Southern Tier Independence Center. “We’re asking the State to invest in what works: community-based services that keep people independent, employed, and at home.”
Key Budget Priorities for 2026
Restore and Increase Independent Living Funding
ILCs are funded at $16 million in the Executive Budget—far below what is needed to sustain services statewide. Advocates urge legislators to:
- Restore the $750,000 the legislature added which was eliminated in the Executive Budget.
- Increase base funding for ILCs to $25 million.
- Pass A.2590/S.1580, which would extend the COLA to ILCs.
Invest in Community-Based Medicaid Services
While the Executive Budget proposes hundreds of millions in new funding for hospitals and nursing homes it offers no new investments in Medicaid-funded community-based services that align with the State's Master Plan on Aging or forthcoming Olmstead Plan.
New York must demonstrate its commitment to Olmstead by investing in access to home care, including restoring access to the Nursing Home Transition and Diversion Medicaid Waiver, repealing MRT II home care eligibility cuts implemented in September, and increase funding for the Open Doors program that transitions individuals from nursing facilities to community living.
ILCs also continue to oppose the Medicaid Global Cap, which restricts needed investment in community supports.
Reverse Cuts to the Access to Home Program
The Governor proposes cutting Access to Home—a program that funds home modifications for people with disabilities—from $5 million to just $1 million. For over a decade we have been asking the state for base funding of $10 million to ensure access to home modification statewide.
“Access to Home is one of the few programs that prevents institutionalization by making homes safe and accessible,” said Executive Director Watson. “Cutting this program makes no fiscal or moral sense.”
Ensure Accessibility in Autonomous Vehicle Expansion
The Executive Budget proposes continued autonomous vehicle testing and a pilot for commercial autonomous passenger service outside New York City. ILCs are calling for mandatory accessibility requirements so disabled riders are not left behind as transportation technology evolves.
About Southern Tier Independence Center
Southern Tier Independence Center, Inc. (STIC) is a not-for-profit Center for Independent Living (CIL) located in Binghamton, New York, and serving about a dozen counties in south-central New York State and northeastern Pennsylvania with various programs and services. Founded in 1983, we serve people with all disabilities of all ages, and we focus exclusively on assisting them to live and participate in ordinary integrated community settings, and on systems advocacy across a broad range of disability-related issues. Our website is here: https://stic-cil.org/.
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