block grant

noun

1. 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

1. (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

1. 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 .)

Word History and Origins

Origin of block grant¹

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Begun in the summer of 2022, it provides block grants and technical assistance to organizations and tribes for repurposing irrigated agricultural land to uses that reduce reliance on groundwater while providing new community benefits.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump also advocated replacing the ACA’s premium subsidies and Medicaid expansion with a block grant to states.

From Los Angeles Times

The block grant was created as a “pro-choice federal program” by Republican President George H.W.

From Los Angeles Times

The bulk of its funding has always come from a block grant from the UK Treasury.

From BBC

On devolved welfare benefits, it said ministers have chosen to spend £900m more than the Treasury allocated in a block grant, and that is on course to reach £1.5bn within five years.

From BBC