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Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) Fact Sheet

What We Do

The Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) is a flexible funding source that allows 57 grant recipients, including states and territories, to tailor social service programming to their populations’ needs. Through SSBG, grant recipients provide essential social services that help achieve a myriad of goals to reduce dependency and promote self-sufficiency; protect children and adults from neglect, abuse, and exploitation; and help individuals who are unable to take care of themselves stay in their homes or find the best institutional arrangements.

Who We Serve

SSBG target population is households with low incomes.

2023 Highlights

Total SSBG Expenditures by Service Areas:


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Individuals served

0%

Of those served were children

0%

Of those served were adults

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Child welfare and youth at risk

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Additional support services

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Day care for children

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Counseling and support

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Special services for individuals with disabilities

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Vulnerable and older adults

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Health and well-being

Icon of a person with an upwards pointing arrow beneath them symbolizing economic mobility

Self-sufficiency

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Individuals served

0%

Of those served were children

0%

Of those served were adults

Total SSBG expenditures by service areas:


Icon of two children

Child welfare and youth at risk

Icon of a hand supporting a person with arrows wrapping around the symbol

Additional support services

Icon of two hands supporting a baby

Day care for children

Icon of two people talking symbolizing counseling services

Counseling and support

Icon showing different kinds of disabled people

Special services for individuals with disabilities

Icon of an elderly couple

Vulnerable and older adults

Icon of a medical symbol

Health and well-being

Icon of a person with an upwards pointing arrow beneath them symbolizing economic mobility

Self-sufficiency

High Level Service Areas

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

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. Special services for individuals with disabilities

More than 633,000 individuals received support for special services aimed specifically for individuals with disabilities.

6. Counseling and other support services

Over 7 million individuals were reached with support services, including:

  • Case management
  • Counseling services
  • Child care

7. Child-care services

More than 2 million individuals received support to maintain child care at day care centers.

8. 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
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Social Services Block Grant

Division of Social Services

Office of Community Services

ssbg@acf.hhs.gov

Visit the SSBG Website