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 2024, $1.7 billion.
In FY 2023, $1.7 billion.
In FY 2022, $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.

FY23 Program Highlights  

• $1.6B Funding released
• 7M Total recipients
• 2M Children received SSBG services  
• 5M Adults received SSBG services  

In FY23, 44 states allocated $208 million in SSBG funds to provide services to approximately 1 million vulnerable older adults.

High Level Service Areas (FY 2023)

SSBG funding supports 29 social service areas, which are grouped into eight high level service areas:  

Child Welfare and Youth at Risk  

• $971M Allocated to support child welfare and youth at risk. More than 3 million individuals received support in the areas of:  
  • Adoption services  
  • Foster care services  
  • Protective services 

Self Sufficiency

• $33M Allocated to support services for self-sufficiency. More than 1 million individuals received services in the areas of:   
  • Education and training services  
  • Employment services  
  • Independent or transitional living  

Additional Support Services

• $464M Allocated to support additional support services that help individuals through a variety of services. More than 2 million people were reached with additional support services in the areas of:  
  • Home-based services   
  • Housing services  
  • Legal services  
  • Transportation  
  • And other services  

Health and Well-being  

• $114M Allocated for health and well-being. More than 629,000 individuals received support for services to maintain their health and well-being, including:
  • Family planning services  
  • Pregnancy and parenting  
  • Substance abuse services  

Special Services

• $275M Allocated to support special services. More than 633,000 individuals received support for special services aimed specifically for individuals with disabilities. 

Counseling and Support  

• $304M Allocated to support counseling and other support services. Over 7 million individuals were reached with support services, including:  
  • Case management
  • Counseling services

Child Care Services

• $352M Allocated for child-care services. More than 2 million individuals received support to maintain child care at day care centers.

Vulnerable and Older Adults  

• $208M Allocated to support vulnerable and older adults. More than 1 million vulnerable and adults 65 years and older were reached with special services, including:  
  • Congregate and home delivered meals  
  • Day care  

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