New Performance Measure for the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) 

March 15, 2012

On February 23, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released an information memorandum establishing a new performance measure for the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG, Title XX). SSBG, often referred to as the “original block grant” is a flexible grant to states, which is used to fund programs ranging from adult protective services to child care for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients.

Currently, states submit an annual pre-expenditure report or an intended use plan, which is required to receive SSBG funding. After the end of the fiscal year, states submit a post-expenditure report, which details how states actually spent SSBG dollars. The performance measure would simply be the sum of SSBG dollars spent as planned divided by the sum of all SSBG dollars.

HHS states the goal of establishing this performance measure is to ensure SSBG dollars are spent efficiently and effectively, while “maintaining the program’s intrinsic flexibility as a block grant”. This performance measure applies to SSBG allotment funds only. There was no new law requiring performance measures.

To read the information memorandum, go here: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/ssbg/procedures/im12-01.html

For further information, please contact either Sheri Steisel or Emily Wengrovius at or NCSL’s Washington DC office at 202-624-5400.