SOCIAL SERVICES BLOCK GRANT (SSBG)

Purpose:

To support social services directed towards achieving economic self-sufficiency; preventing or remedying neglect, abuse, or the exploitation of children and adults; preventing or reducing inappropriate institutionalization; and securing referrals for institutional care, where appropriate.

Legislative Authority:

Title XX of the Social Security Act, as amended in 1981.

Appropriations:

In FY 2022, Block Grant: $1.7 billion.
In FY 2021, Block Grant: $1.7 billion.
In FY 2020, Block Grant: $1.7 billion.

Eligible Applicants:

States, District of Columbia, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories (Guam, Virgin Islands, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa).

Target Population:

Households with low income.

Uses:

Services and eligibility requirements vary by state. The Uniform Definitions of Services, which include 29 service categories, provide guidelines to states for reporting purposes. Service categories most frequently supported by SSBG include child care, child welfare, services for persons with disabilities, case management services, and protective services for adults.

Type of Grant:

Block Grant

Program Requirements:

States and territories must submit a plan specifying how grant funds will be used. An annual post-expenditure report is also required. States may provide services directly, or sub-allocate funds to local qualified providers. States may transfer up to 10 percent of their Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds to SSBG.

Program Highlights:

In FY 2020, the latest year for which data are available, approximately 23.5 million individuals received services funded in part or in whole by SSBG. In FY 2018, states reported a total of $2.61 in Total SSBG Expenditures. Top services funded with SSBG included:

• Child Welfare/Youth at Risk ($847 million in 48 States)
• Counseling and Support ($272 million in 39 States)
• Day Care-Children ($259 million in 29 States)
• Health and Well-being ($115 million in 30 States)
• Self-Sufficiency ($29 million in 24 States)
• Special Services-Disabled ($285 million in 19 States)
• Vulnerable and Elderly Adults ($236 million in 46 States)
• Additional Support Services ($667 million in 49 States)

Of the $2.77 billion in SSBG expenditures reported in FY 2020, about $1.68 billion was awarded from the SSBG, and an additional $1.10 billion was transferred via TANF. Thirty-eight states transferred TANF funds into the SSBG.

Program Contact:

Social Services Block Grant
Office of Community Services
Phone: (202) 401-5281
ssbg@acf.hhs.gov
www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs/programs/ssbg