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  1. Home
  2. Program and Policy Areas
  3. Aging and Disability Networks
  4. Centers for Independent Living

Centers for Independent Living

   CIL Fact Sheet

What Is Independent Living?

Independent living (IL) can be considered a movement, a philosophy, or specific programs. In the context of ACL, independent living programs are supported through funding authorized by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (the Act). Title VII, chapter 1 of the Act states the current purpose of the program is to “promote a philosophy of independent living including a philosophy of consumer control, peer support, self-help, self-determination, equal access, and individual and system advocacy, in order to maximize the leadership, empowerment, independence, and productivity of individuals with disabilities, and the integration and full inclusion of individuals with disabilities into the mainstream of American society.”

Key provisions of the Act include responsibilities of the designated state entity (DSE), provisions for the statewide independent living councils (SILCs), requirements for the state plan for independent living (SPIL), and center for independent living standards and assurances. (See below for details on all these areas.)

To receive funding, states must jointly develop and submit a SPIL, which is a three-year plan for providing independent living services in the state. The DSE is the agency that, on behalf of the state, receives, accounts for and disburses funds received under Subpart B of the Act. The SILC is an independent entity responsible for monitoring, reviewing, and evaluating the implementation of the SPIL. Centers for independent living (CILs) are consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, nonresidential, private nonprofit agencies that are designed and operated within a local community by individuals with disabilities and provide an array of independent living services.

What Are Centers for Independent Living (CILs)?

Designed and operated by individuals with disabilities, CILs provide independent living services for people with disabilities. CILs are at the core of ACL's independent living programs, which work to support community living and independence for people with disabilities across the nation based on the belief that all people can live with dignity, make their own choices, and participate fully in society. These programs provide tools, resources, and supports for integrating people with disabilities fully into their communities to promote equal opportunities, self-determination, and respect.

Download a graphic about how centers for independent living make community living possible.

What Are the Core Requirements for CILs?

The CILs program provides 354 discretionary grants to CILs, which are consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, nonresidential, private nonprofit agencies that provide IL services. At a minimum, centers funded by the program are required to provide the following IL core services:

  • Information and referral
  • IL skills training
  • Peer counseling
  • Individual and systems advocacy
  • Services that facilitate transition from nursing homes and other institutions to the community, provide assistance to those at risk of entering institutions, and facilitate transition of youth to postsecondary life

Centers also may provide, among other services, psychological counseling, assistance in securing housing or shelter, personal assistance services, transportation referral and assistance, physical therapy, mobility training, rehabilitation technology, recreation, and other services necessary to improve the ability of individuals with significant disabilities to function independently in the family or community and/or to continue in employment.

To continue receiving CIL program funding, eligible centers must demonstrate minimum compliance with the following standards:

  • Promotion of the IL philosophy.
  • Provision of IL services on a cross-disability basis.
  • Support for the development and achievement of IL goals chosen by the consumer.
  • Efforts to increase the availability of quality community options for IL.
  • Provision of IL core services and, as appropriate, a combination of any other IL service.
  • Building community capacity to meet the needs of individuals with significant disabilities.
  • Resource development activities to secure other funding sources.

A population-based formula determines the total funding available for discretionary grants to centers in each state. Subject to the availability of appropriations, ACL is required to provide continuation funding to existing centers at the same level of funding they received the prior fiscal year and to provide them with a cost-of-living increase. Funding for new centers in a state is awarded on a competitive basis, based on the state’s SPIL and the availability of sufficient additional funds within the state.

The Independent Living Discretionary Grant Program is authorized Under Title VII, Chapter I, Subchapter C of the Rehabilitation Act, as Amended by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014.

Other Related Questions:

What Is the Independent Living Services Program?

ACL's independent living programs work to support community living and independence for people with disabilities across the nation based on the belief that all people can live with dignity, make their own choices, and participate fully in society. These programs provide tools, resources, and supports for integrating people with disabilities fully into their communities to promote equal opportunities, self-determination, and respect.

Learn more about the Independent Living Services (ILS) Program.

What Is a State Independent Living Council (SILC)?

Each state and U.S. territory is required to maintain a statewide independent living council (SILC). The council and the centers for independent living (CILs) within the state develop a state plan for independent living (SPIL). The SPIL is a document required by law that indicates how the IL network is going to improve independent living services for individuals with disabilities over the next three years. It identifies the needs and priorities of consumers, providers, and other stakeholders and sets forth goals and objectives to respond to them.

Having a strong network for independent living in a state or territory is crucial. Collaborating on the SPIL development can help create a cohesive and unified vision among all stakeholders who have an interest in issues that impact citizens with disabilities.

Learn more about the statewide independent living councils (SILCs).

What Is a State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL)?

State plans for independent living (SPILs) show how federal, state, and other funds will be used to support the state’s independent living programs, as well as collaborations with other partners in the state and other ACL grantees to enhance and expand service delivery and options for individuals with disabilities.

Sec. 704(a) of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended, requires the review and revision of the SPIL no less than once every three years to ensure the existence of appropriate planning, financial support and coordination, and other assistance to appropriately address, on a statewide and comprehensive basis, needs in the state for:

  • The provision of independent living services in the state.
  • The development and support of a statewide network of centers for independent living.
  • Working relationships and collaboration between centers for independent living and:
    • Entities carrying out programs that provide independent living services, including those serving older individuals.
    • Other community-based organizations that provide or coordinate the provision of housing, transportation, employment, information and referral assistance, services, and supports for individuals with significant disabilities.
    • Entities carrying out other programs providing services for individuals with disabilities.

The SPILs also includes the following:

  • The core services that WIOA requires.
  • An explanation and requirement for the state matching requirement.
  • Legal basis and certifications, DSE assurances, and SILC assurances.
  • A chart for the financial plan.
  • A chart for centers' for independent living service areas and oversight.
  • A signatures section.

More Information and Resources:

 

Monthly OILP Connection Calls

November 2024 OILP Connection Call

December 2024 OILP Connection Call

List of Centers for Independent Living by State

View a list of centers for independent living by state.

Office of Independent Living Programs Contact List

View the Office of Independent Living contact list.

Office of Independent Living Programs Monthly Newsletters

To request a copy of the newsletter, please email OILP@acl.hhs.gov. 

2025 Newsletters

2024 Newsletters

2023 Newsletters

Fiscal Information for IL Programs

Fiscal Information for IL programs page.

Program Performance Reporting Information
Compliance and Outcome Monitoring

The Office of Independent Living Programs (OILP) uses a three-tier system to evaluate and monitor center for independent living (CIL) grantees. Tier one includes a grantee dashboard completed over the course of the fiscal year. Tier two reviews focus on specific program(s) or fiscal issues. Tier three are comprehensive program and fiscal reviews. The Compliance and Outcome Monitoring Protocol (COMP) provides transparency and consistency in the oversight of CIL grantees, helps identify training, and technical assistance needs across the network. 

The purpose of the COMP is to improve program performance. The OILP relies on the COMP to provide consistent federal oversight of CIL grantees. Grantees may use the COMP to understand program and fiscal requirements and to conduct self-evaluations. Non-federal reviewers will use the COMP as a resource to ensure consistency during onsite reviews. 

Learn more and view COMP documents.

Compliance Reviews:

FY2024

FY2023

FY2021-FY2022

FY2020-FY2021

FY2019

  • ACL conducted pilot desktop reviews. Pilot reports were not made public.
Funding Tables

See funding tables for federal grant funds, provided to each state, under Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as Amended by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

Frequently Asked Questions about Independent Living Programs

 

View frequently asked questions and answers about the Independent Living Programs.

 

AoD IL Technical Assistance Evaluation

AoD contracted with RTI to evaluate the technical assistance offered to the independent living programs. Overall, respondents were satisfied with the current technical assistance offered. See the below materials for more detail:

Annual Performance Data and Outcomes

CIL Annual Performance Data

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, requires CILs that receive Title VII Subchapter C funding to report annually on their activities, achievements, resources, and needs.

CIL’s, using the Annual Program Performance Report (PPR) form, submit these data to the ACL Independent Living Administration.

ILS Annual Performance Data

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, requires that each designated state entity (DSE) and statewide independent living council (SILC) report annually on their activities, achievements, resources, and needs.

DSEs and SILCs, using the PPR form, jointly submit these data to ACL's Independent Living Administration.

The following includes downloadable ILS and CIL PPR datafiles.

CIL Annual Program Performance Report (PPR) Datafiles*  

The CIL reporting periods start on September 30 of the listed report year and end on September 29 of the following year. For example, the 2021 CIL PPR data reporting period is September 30, 2021-September 29, 2022.  

ILS Annual Program Performance Report (PPR) Datafiles*    

The ILS reporting periods follow the federal fiscal year for the listed report year. For example, the 2021 ILS PPR data reporting period is October 1, 2020-September 30, 2021. 

*The datafiles provided here do not include qualitative data. These data have been removed from these files to protect the privacy of individuals receiving and providing ILS and CIL services.

Annual Reports

2020-2021 Annual Report

On February 14, 2024, Commissioner of the Administration on Disabilities Jill Jacobs submitted the 2020 and 2021 combined annual report on the Centers for Independent Living (CILs) program in accordance with Title VII, Chapter I, Part C in the Rehabilitation Act, as amended.

2019 Annual Report

On Monday, November 30, 2020, Commissioner of the Administration on Disabilities Julie Hocker submitted the 2019 annual report for the independent living programs, in accordance with Title VII, Chapter I, Part C in the Rehabilitation Act, as amended. This report reflects the more than 200,000 individuals who in PY2019 benefited from community-based services to live independently in communities across our nation.

2018 Annual Report 

On Monday, March 30, 2020, Commissioner of the Administration on Disabilities Julie Hocker submitted the 2018 annual report for the independent living programs, in accordance with Title VII, Chapter I, Part C in the Rehabilitation Act, as amended. 

Additional Resources

 


Last modified on 05/12/2025


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