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Formula Grants: Funding for the Largest Federal Assistance Programs Is Based on Census-Related Data and Other Factors

GAO-10-263 Published: Dec 15, 2009. Publicly Released: Dec 16, 2009.
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Highlights

Many federal assistance programs are funded by formula grants that have historically relied at least in part on population data from the decennial census and related data to allocate funds. In June 2009, the Census Bureau reported that in fiscal year 2007 the federal government obligated over $446 billion through funding formulas that rely at least in part on census and related data. Funding for federal assistance programs continues to increase. Government Accountability Office (GAO) was asked to determine (1) how much the federal government obligates to the largest federal assistance programs based on the decennial census and related data, and how the Recovery Act changed that amount; and (2) what factors could affect the role of population in grant funding formulas. To answer these objectives, GAO identified the 10 largest federal assistance programs in each of the fiscal years 2008 and 2009 based on data from the President's fiscal year 2010 budget. GAO reviewed statutes, agency reports, and other sources to obtain illustrative examples of how different factors could affect the role of population data in grant funding.

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Block grantsBudget obligationsBudget outlaysCensusData collectionDiscretionary grantsEligibility criteriaFederal aid for highwaysFederal aid for housingFederal aid programsFederal aid to statesFederal fundsFederal grantsstate relationsFormula grantsFund auditsGovernment grantsGrants to local governmentsGrants to statesHousing programsLocally administered programsMedicaidPopulation statisticsPublic assistance programsStatistical data