---
kind: "section"
citation: "29 U.S.C. § 796k"
title: "29"
title_heading: "Labor"
number: "796k"
heading: "Program of grants"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/29/796k"
units:
  - "Chapter 16 — Vocational Rehabilitation and Other Rehabilitation Services"
  - "Subchapter VII — Independent Living Services and Centers for Independent Living"
  - "Part B — Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind"
---

# §796k. Program of grants

- (a) **In general—**
  - (1) **Authority for grants—** Subject to subsections [(b)](#b) and [(c)](#c), the Commissioner may make grants to [States](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) for the purpose of providing the services described in [subsection (d)](#d) to older [individuals](/usc/29/705.md?p=22) who are blind.
  - (2) **Designated State agency—** The Commissioner may not make a grant under this subsection unless the [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) involved agrees that the grant will be administered solely by the agency described in [section 721(a)(2)(A)(i) of this title](/usc/29/721.md?p=a-2-A-i).
- (b) **Contingent competitive grants—** Beginning with fiscal year 1993, in the case of any fiscal year for which the amount appropriated under [section 796l](/usc/29/796l.md) of this title is less than $13,000,000, grants made under [subsection (a)](#a) shall be—
  - (1) discretionary grants made on a competitive basis to [States](/usc/29/705.md?p=34); or
  - (2) grants made on a noncompetitive basis to pay for the continuation costs of activities for which a grant was awarded—
    - (A) under this part; or
    - (B) under part C, as in effect on the day before October 29, 1992.
- (c) **Contingent formula grants—**
  - (1) **In general—** In the case of any fiscal year for which the amount appropriated under [section 796l](/usc/29/796l.md) of this title is equal to or greater than $13,000,000, grants under [subsection (a)](#a) shall be made only to [States](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) and shall be made only from allotments under [paragraph (2)](#c-2).
  - (2) **Allotments—** For grants under [subsection (a)](#a) for a fiscal year described in [paragraph (1)](#c-1), the Commissioner shall make an allotment to each [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) in an amount determined in accordance with [subsection (i)](#i), and shall make a grant to the [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) of the allotment made for the [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) if the [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) submits to the Commissioner an application in accordance with [subsection (h)](#h).
- (d) **Services generally—** The Commissioner may not make a grant under [subsection (a)](#a) unless the [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) involved agrees that the grant will be expended only for purposes of—
  - (1) providing [independent living services](/usc/29/705.md?p=18) to older [individuals](/usc/29/705.md?p=22) who are blind;
  - (2) conducting activities that will improve or expand services for such [individuals](/usc/29/705.md?p=22); and
  - (3) conducting activities to help improve public understanding of the problems of such [individuals](/usc/29/705.md?p=22).
- (e) **Independent living services—** [Independent living services](/usc/29/705.md?p=18) for purposes of [subsection (d)(1)](#d-1) include—
  - (1) services to help correct blindness, such as—
    - (A) outreach services;
    - (B) visual screening;
    - (C) surgical or therapeutic treatment to prevent, correct, or modify disabling eye conditions; and
    - (D) hospitalization related to such services;
  - (2) the provision of eyeglasses and other visual aids;
  - (3) the provision of services and equipment to assist an older [individual](/usc/29/705.md?p=22) who is blind to become more mobile and more self-sufficient;
  - (4) mobility training, braille instruction, and other services and equipment to help an older [individual](/usc/29/705.md?p=22) who is blind adjust to blindness;
  - (5) guide services, reader services, and transportation;
  - (6) any other appropriate service designed to assist an older [individual](/usc/29/705.md?p=22) who is blind in coping with daily living activities, including supportive services and rehabilitation teaching services;
  - (7) independent living skills training, information and referral services, peer counseling, and [individual](/usc/29/705.md?p=22) advocacy training; and
  - (8) other [independent living services](/usc/29/705.md?p=18).
- (f) **Matching funds—**
  - (1) **In general—** The Commissioner may not make a grant under [subsection (a)](#a) unless the [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) involved agrees, with respect to the costs of the program to be carried out by the [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) pursuant to such subsection, to make available (directly or through donations from public or private entities) non-Federal contributions toward such costs in an amount that is not less than $1 for each $9 of Federal funds provided in the grant.
  - (2) **Determination of amount contributed—** Non-Federal contributions required in [paragraph (1)](#f-1) may be in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, including plant, equipment, or services. Amounts provided by the Federal Government, or services assisted or subsidized to any significant extent by the Federal Government, may not be included in determining the amount of such non-Federal contributions.
- (g) **Certain expenditures of grants—** A [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) may expend a grant under [subsection (a)](#a) to carry out the purposes specified in [subsection (d)](#d) through grants to, or contracts or cooperative agreements with, public and [nonprofit](/usc/29/705.md?p=26) private agencies or organizations.
- (h) **Application for grant—**
  - (1) **In general—** The Commissioner may not make a grant under [subsection (a)](#a) unless an application for the grant is submitted to the Commissioner and the application is in such form, is made in such manner, and contains such agreements, assurances, and information as the Commissioner determines to be necessary to carry out this section (including agreements, assurances, and information with respect to any grants under [subsection (i)(4)](#i-4)).
  - (2) **Contents—** An application for a grant under this section shall contain—
    - (A) an assurance that the agency described in [subsection (a)(2)](#a-2) will prepare and submit to the Commissioner a report, at the end of each fiscal year, with respect to each project or program the agency operates or administers under this section, whether directly or through a grant or contract, which report shall contain, at a minimum, information on—
      - (i) the number and types of older [individuals](/usc/29/705.md?p=22) who are blind and are receiving services;
      - (ii) the types of services provided and the number of older [individuals](/usc/29/705.md?p=22) who are blind and are receiving each type of service;
      - (iii) the sources and amounts of funding for the operation of each project or program;
      - (iv) the amounts and percentages of resources committed to each type of service provided;
      - (v) data on actions taken to employ, and advance in employment, qualified [individuals with significant disabilities](/usc/29/705.md?p=21-D), including older [individuals](/usc/29/705.md?p=22) who are blind; and
      - (vi) a comparison, if appropriate, of prior year activities with the activities of the most recent year; and
    - (B) an assurance that the agency will—
      - (i) provide services that contribute to the maintenance of, or the increased independence of, older [individuals](/usc/29/705.md?p=22) who are blind; and
      - (ii) engage in—
        - (I) capacity-building activities, including collaboration with other agencies and organizations;
        - (II) activities to promote community awareness, involvement, and assistance; and
        - (III) outreach efforts.
- (i) **Amount of formula grant—**
  - (1) **In general—** Subject to the availability of appropriations, the amount of an allotment under [subsection (a)](#a) for a [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) for a fiscal year shall be the greater of—
    - (A) the amount determined under [paragraph (2)](#i-2); or
    - (B) the amount determined under [paragraph (3)](#i-3).
  - (2) **Minimum allotment—**
    - (A) **States—** In the case of the several [States](/usc/29/705.md?p=34), the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the amount referred to in [subparagraph (A)](#i-1-A) of paragraph (1) for a fiscal year is the greater of—
      - (i) $225,000; or
      - (ii) an amount equal to ⅓ of 1 percent of the amount appropriated under [section 796l](/usc/29/796l.md) of this title, and not reserved under [section 796j–1 of this title](/usc/29/796j–1.md), for the fiscal year and available for allotments under [subsection (a)](#a).
    - (B) **Certain territories—** In the case of Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the amount referred to in [subparagraph (A)](#i-1-A) of paragraph (1) for a fiscal year is $40,000.
  - (3) **Formula—** The amount referred to in [subparagraph (B)](#i-1-B) of paragraph (1) for a [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) for a fiscal year is the product of—
    - (A) the amount appropriated under [section 796l](/usc/29/796l.md) of this title, and not reserved under [section 796j–1 of this title](/usc/29/796j–1.md), and available for allotments under [subsection (a)](#a); and
    - (B) a percentage equal to the quotient of—
      - (i) an amount equal to the number of [individuals](/usc/29/705.md?p=22) residing in the [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) who are not less than 55 years of age; divided by
      - (ii) an amount equal to the number of [individuals](/usc/29/705.md?p=22) residing in the United States who are not less than 55 years of age.
  - (4) **Disposition of certain amounts—**
    - (A) **Grants—** From the amounts specified in [subparagraph (B)](#i-4-B), the Commissioner may make grants to [States](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) whose population of older [individuals](/usc/29/705.md?p=22) who are blind has a substantial need for the services specified in [subsection (d)](#d) relative to the populations in other [States](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) of older [individuals](/usc/29/705.md?p=22) who are blind.
    - (B) **Amounts—** The amounts referred to in [subparagraph (A)](#i-4-A) are any amounts that are not paid to [States](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) under [subsection (a)](#a) as a result of—
      - (i) the failure of any [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) to submit an application under [subsection (h)](#h);
      - (ii) the failure of any [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) to prepare within a reasonable period of time such application in compliance with such subsection; or
      - (iii) any [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) informing the Commissioner that the [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) does not intend to expend the full amount of the allotment made for the [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) under [subsection (a)](#a).
    - (C) **Conditions—** The Commissioner may not make a grant under [subparagraph (A)](#i-4-A) unless the [State](/usc/29/705.md?p=34) involved agrees that the grant is subject to the same conditions as grants made under [subsection (a)](#a).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 93–112, title VII, § 752, as added Pub. L. 105–220, title IV, § 410, Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1237; amended Pub. L. 113–128, title IV, § 487, July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1694.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

Part C, as in effect on the day before October 29, 1992, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(B), means former part C (§ 796f) which was included in the repeal of subchapter VII of this chapter by Pub. L. 102–569, title VII, § 701(1), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4443.

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 796k, Pub. L. 93–112, title VII, § 752, as added Pub. L. 102–569, title VII, § 703(a), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4465; amended Pub. L. 103–73, title I, § 114(m), Aug. 11, 1993, 107 Stat. 732, authorized grants to provide independent living services for older individuals who are blind, prior to the general amendment of this subchapter by Pub. L. 105–220.

### Amendments

2014—Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 113–128, § 487(3), substituted “subsection (i)” for “subsection (j)” and “subsection (h)” for “subsection (i)”.

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 113–128, § 487(4), inserted “, or contracts or cooperative agreements with,” after “grants to”.

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 113–128, § 487(1), (2), redesignated subsec. (i) as (h) and struck out former subsec. (h). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The Commissioner may not make a grant under subsection (a) unless the State involved agrees that, in carrying out subsection (d)(1), the State will seek to incorporate into the State plan under section 796c of this title any new methods and approaches relating to independent living services for older individuals who are blind.”

Subsec. (h)(1). Pub. L. 113–128, § 487(5)(A), substituted “subsection (i)(4)” for “subsection (j)(4)”.

Subsec. (h)(2)(A)(vi) to (C). Pub. L. 113–128, § 487(5)(B), inserted “and” after semicolon at end of subpar. (A)(vi), substituted a period for “; and” at end of subpar. (B)(ii)(III), and struck out subpar. (C) which read as follows: “an assurance that the application is consistent with the State plan for providing independent living services required by section 796c of this title.”

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 113–128, § 487(2), redesignated subsec. (j) as (i). Former subsec. (i) redesignated (h).

Subsec. (i)(2)(A)(ii), (3)(A). Pub. L. 113–128, § 487(6)(A), (B), inserted “, and not reserved under section 796j–1 of this title,” after “section 796l of this title”.

Subsec. (i)(4)(B)(i). Pub. L. 113–128, § 487(6)(C), substituted “subsection (h)” for “subsection (i)”.

Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 113–128, § 487(2), redesignated subsec. (j) as (i).