State senators added another $500,000 to help sustain programs from home-delivered meals to respite care that help seniors stay in their homes and out of nursing homes.

Appropriations Committee Chairman Lavon Heidemann pointed out that federal funds have dropped and the state is picking up those losses.

“I believe these are good programs, and the agencies do good work,” he said. “But I don’t know if this (increase) is sustainable.”

State funding for aging services across the state will go up 24 percent, from $4.56 million to $5.72 million, with the $500,000 addition, according to Heidemann’s figures.

“This isn’t budget creep. This is budget leap,” said Sen. Tom Hansen of North Platte.

Aging services will also get about $7.25 million in federal funds next fiscal year.  The change is part of the main budget bill, which received second-round approval Thursday.