BLOCK GRANT Definition & Meaning

block grant

noun

a consolidated grant of federal funds, formerly allocated for specific programs, that a state or local government may use at its discretion for such programs as education or urban development.

block grant

noun

(in Britain) an annual grant made by the government to a local authority to help to pay for the public services it provides, such as health, education, and housing

block grant

A financial aid package that grants federal money to state and local governments for use in social welfare programs, such as law enforcement, community development, and health services. Block grants provide money for general areas of social welfare, rather than for specific programs. This arrangement not only reduces bureaucratic red tape (see also red tape ), but also allows grant recipients more freedom to choose how to use the funds. A product of Republican administrations in the 1970s and 1980s, block grants reduce federal responsibility for social welfare. ( See federalism .)

Discover More

51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of block grant¹

First recorded in 1895–1900

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

That block grant includes the amount of money that would be spent on Scots claimants if PIP had not been devolved.

From

The administration has also attempted to block grants and reduce funding for research institutions.

From

At present, the Greenland economy is heavily reliant on the so-called block grant, a subsidy paid by the Danish government that in 2024 amounted to the equivalent of around £480m a year.

From

States reported being shut out of their Medicaid reimbursement systems and problems with Head Start and child development block grants, among other issues.

From

Other programs affected in different states included Head Start and child development block grants, she said.

From

Browse