How SSBG Funding Works SSBG Grants are made directly to the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to fund social services tailored to meet the needs of individuals and families residing within that jurisdiction. Grants are determined by a statutory formula based on each state's population.
States are fully responsible for determining the use of their funds.
In addition, up to 10 percent of block grant funds may be transferred to other block grant programs for support of health services, health promotion and disease prevention activities, and low- income home energy assistance. Funding for FY 1996 is expected to be at the same level. Federal funds are available without a matching requirement. Within the specific limitations in the law, each state has the flexibility to determine what services will be provided, who is eligible to receive services, and how funds are distributed among the various services within the state. There are six urban and three rural empowerment zones.