29 USC 796 - Program of grants

View all text of Part B [§ 796j - § 796l]

§ 796k. Program of grants

(a) In general

(1) Authority for grants

(2) Designated State agency

(b) Contingent competitive grantsBeginning with fiscal year 1993, in the case of any fiscal year for which the amount appropriated under section 796l of this title is less than $13,000,000, grants made under subsection (a) shall be—

(1) discretionary grants made on a competitive basis to States; 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.

(1) In general

(2) Allotments

(d) Services generallyThe Commissioner may not make a grant under subsection (a) unless the State involved agrees that the grant will be expended only for purposes of—

(1) providing independent living services to older individuals who are blind;

(2) conducting activities that will improve or expand services for such individuals; and

(3) conducting activities to help improve public understanding of the problems of such individuals.

(e) Independent living servicesIndependent living services for purposes of subsection (d)(1) include—

(1) services to help correct blindness, such as—

(A) outreach services;

(B) visual screening;

(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 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 who is blind adjust to blindness;

(5) guide services, reader services, and transportation;

(6) any other appropriate service designed to assist an older individual 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 advocacy training; and

(8) other independent living services.

(f) Matching funds

(1) In general

(2) Determination of amount contributed

(g) Certain expenditures of grants

(h) Application for grant

(1) In general

(2) ContentsAn application for a grant under this section shall contain—

(A) an assurance that the agency described in subsection (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 who are blind and are receiving services;

(ii) the types of services provided and the number of older individuals 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, including older individuals 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 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 generalSubject to the availability of appropriations, the amount of an allotment under subsection (a) for a State for a fiscal year shall be the greater of—

(A) the amount determined under paragraph (2); or

(B) the amount determined under paragraph (3).

(2) Minimum allotment

(A) StatesIn the case of the several States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the amount referred to in subparagraph (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 of this title, and not reserved under section 796j–1 of this title, for the fiscal year and available for allotments under subsection (a).

(B) Certain territories

(3) FormulaThe amount referred to in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) for a State for a fiscal year is the product of—

(A) the amount appropriated under section 796l of this title, and not reserved under section 796j–1 of this title, and available for allotments under subsection (a); and

(B) a percentage equal to the quotient of—

(i) an amount equal to the number of individuals residing in the State who are not less than 55 years of age; divided by

(ii) an amount equal to the number of individuals residing in the United States who are not less than 55 years of age.

(4) Disposition of certain amounts

(A) Grants

(B) AmountsThe amounts referred to in subparagraph (A) are any amounts that are not paid to States under subsection (a) as a result of—

(i) the failure of any State to submit an application under subsection (h);

(ii) the failure of any State to prepare within a reasonable period of time such application in compliance with such subsection; or

(iii) any State informing the Commissioner that the State does not intend to expend the full amount of the allotment made for the State under subsection (a).

(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.)