Social Services Block Grant

The objective is to enable each state and territory to furnish social services best suited to the needs of the individuals residing in the state or territory. Federal funds may be used by recipients to provide services directed toward one of the following five goals specified in the law:
(1) To prevent, reduce, or eliminate dependency;
(2) To achieve or maintain self-sufficiency;
(3) To prevent neglect, abuse, or exploitation of children and adults;
(4) To prevent or reduce inappropriate institutional care; and
(5) To secure admission or referral for institutional care when other forms of care are not appropriate.

The 50 states, the District of Columbia, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind are eligible entities for SSBG, and the insular areas for SSBG-Consolidated Block Grant.

Under Title XX of the Social Security Act, each eligible jurisdiction determines the services that will be provided and the individuals that will be eligible to receive services.

Typically, children and adults, including seniors, as well as individuals with disabilities of any age, with incomes below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) are beneficiaries of services or activities funded by SSBG or SSBG-CBG. However, states and territories set income thresholds for individuals served by the programs in their states with one caveat.

States and territories transferring funds from the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program may not serve individuals above 200% of the FPL.

Citizens of Compacts of Free Association (COFA) countries (the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau) residing in the United States are included in the definition of qualified non-citizens* and are eligible as of March 9, 2024, for SSBG.

*The statutory term is “qualified alien.” The meaning of qualified alien and qualified non-citizen is intended to be synonymous.

The Pre-Expenditure Report and Intended Use Plan (OMB No. 0970-0234, expires 03/31/2027) must be reviewed by the federal awarding agency program office and accepted as providing all requested information per the OMB-approved model form before the state or territory receives an award. States and territories are awarded funds quarterly by the federal awarding agency.