Social Services Block Grant (Title XX of the Social Security Act)

Publication Date: August 2003

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

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Research Area: Social conditions

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Abstract:

The Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) is a flexible source of funds that states may use to support a wide variety of social services activities. States have broad discretion over the use of these funds. In 2000, the largest expenditures for services under the SSBG were for child protective services and children's foster care. Funding for the SSBG has been reduced considerably from its FY1995 peak of $2.8 billion. The Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003 (H.J.Res. 2/P.L. 108-7) includes $1.7 billion for the SSBG in FY2003 and maintains states' authority to transfer up to 10% of their TANF block grants to the SSBG. This superseded prior law that would have reduced the allowable transfer amount to 4.25%. The $1.7 billion appropriation for FY2003 mirrors the President's requests for FY2002, FY2003, and FY2004. The Housepassed appropriations bill for FY2004 (H.R. 2660) would maintain the $1.7 billion funding level for the SSBG, but would decrease the transfer authority to 5.5%. The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved a bill (S. 1356) with the same funding ($1.7 billion), but no reference to the transfer authority. This report provides SSBG background information and tracks relevant legislation and appropriations measures.