The layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Services slashed the staff of major federal aging, disability and anti-poverty programs, leaving the future of local programs like Meals on Wheels uncertain.

In 2024, Meals on Wheels delivered 237,203 meals and provided services to 1,264 to homebound seniors and people with disabilities in Jefferson County. And every week, Meals on Wheels delivers more than 5,000 meals throughout Jefferson County. Though cuts are already affecting federal workers, it is currently unclear how the mass layoffs will impact Meals on Wheels services locally.

“As of right now, we are not aware of any impacts on our services,” Candace O’Neil, vice president of community engagement for United Way of Central Alabama, told AL.com.

Shelby, Blount, Chilton, St. Clair and Walker County do not operate under Meals on Wheels but have a similar meal program for seniors and people with disabilities called the Elderly Nutrition Program through the Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging.

Alabama’s Elderly Nutrition Program served approximately 5.57 million eligible meals in 2022, according to an Alabama Department of Senior Services report.

A Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging representative told AL.com that the program has not been affected by the layoffs, but they are “unsure of how the layoffs will trickle down and what the future looks like right now.”

Last week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a “dramatic restructuring” in accordance with President Donald Trump’s executive order, “Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Workforce Optimization Initiative.”

Meals on Wheels is largely funded by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), which lost at least 40% of its staff Tuesday, according to reports from NPR.

“In light of today’s announcement of the planned restructuring of the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), we are continuing to assess all potential impacts and have many questions,” Meals on Wheels of America said in a statement on March 27.

“Our main priority is ensuring that America’s seniors continue to receive the lifesaving meals, social connection and wellness checks they rely on through Meals on Wheels. That’s why the Older Americans Act (OAA) – the primary source of federal funding for community-based Meals on Wheels providers – must be safeguarded,” Meals on Wheels of America said in a statement.

HHS claims the restructuring will save taxpayers $1.8 billion per year through a reduction in workforce of about 10,000 full-time employees and downsizing the current 28 HHS divisions to 15 new divisions.

“The growing senior population and need, coupled with rising costs and funding shortfalls, have stretched local providers far beyond capacity. As is, 1 in 3 Meals on Wheels providers already has a waitlist. Any further disruption due to the HHS restructuring could cost more taxpayer dollars in the long run,” Meals on Wheels of America said in a statement.