Rankings
Top federal assistance programs: FY2021
FY2021 · complete year · data as of 2026-07-12
≈ computed · CFDA
Social Security Retirement Insurance was the largest federal assistance program in FY2021, obligating $894.5B. Ranked by CFDA program — the catalogue number every federal grant, loan and direct-payment program carries. This is the named-program view of assistance spending. Computed
Ranked from USASpending records. FY2020 to FY2026 are loaded. Rank vs FY2020 is each name's change in position from FY2020; a dash means the name was not in FY2020's data.
Quick findings
Computed- The top 10 account for 74% of the $4.5T combined total of all 100 programs listed.
- Activities to Support State, Tribal, Local and Territorial (STLT) Health Department Response to Public Health or Healthcare Crises rose the most, from #342 in FY2020 to #94 in FY2021.
- Universal Service Fund - High Cost fell the most among those listed, from #21 in FY2020 to #75 in FY2021.
| Rank | Name | FY2021 | FY2020 | Change | Rank vs FY2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Social Security Retirement InsuranceAssistance Listing 96.002 | $894.5B | $853.6B | +5% | same |
| 02 | Grants to States for MedicaidAssistance Listing 93.778 | $516B | $460B | +12% | ▲ 1 |
| 03 | Medicare Supplementary Medical InsuranceAssistance Listing 93.774 | $395.8B | $409.7B | −3% | ▲ 1 |
| 04 | Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery FundsAssistance Listing 21.027 | $350B | — | — | — |
| 05 | Medicare Hospital InsuranceAssistance Listing 93.773 | $326.3B | $395.7B | −18% | same |
| 06 | Paycheck Protection Loan Program (PPP)Assistance Listing 59.073 | $280B | $532.3B | −47% | ▼ 4 |
| 07 | Education Stabilization FundAssistance Listing 84.425 | $230B | $30.1B | +665% | ▲ 9 |
| 08 | Social Security Disability InsuranceAssistance Listing 96.001 | $139.6B | $142.7B | −2% | ▼ 1 |
| 09 | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance ProgramAssistance Listing 10.551 | $135.7B | $83.9B | +62% | ▲ 3 |
| 10 | Veterans Compensation for Service-Connected DisabilityAssistance Listing 64.109 | $100.4B | $94.2B | +7% | ▼ 1 |
| 11 | Medicare Prescription Drug CoverageAssistance Listing 93.770 | $98.1B | $89.2B | +10% | same |
| 12 | Social Security Survivors InsuranceAssistance Listing 96.004 | $91.8B | $90.5B | +2% | ▼ 2 |
| 13 | Supplemental Security IncomeAssistance Listing 96.006 | $55.7B | $56.2B | −1% | same |
| 14 | Highway Planning and ConstructionAssistance Listing 20.205 | $50.3B | $45.7B | +10% | same |
| 15 | Child Care and Development Block GrantAssistance Listing 93.575 | $49B | $3.5B | — | ▲ 42 |
| 16 | Emergency Rental Assistance ProgramAssistance Listing 21.023 | $46.5B | — | — | — |
| 17 | Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (Presidentially Declared Disasters)Assistance Listing 97.036 | $39.3B | $25.5B | +54% | ▲ 5 |
| 18 | Coronavirus Relief - Pandemic Relief for Aviation WorkersAssistance Listing 21.018 | $30.8B | $28.2B | +9% | same |
| 19 | Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases (ELC)Assistance Listing 93.323 | $30.6B | $11.2B | +173% | ▲ 16 |
| 20 | Restaurant Revitalization FundAssistance Listing 59.078 | $28.5B | — | — | — |
| 21 | Federal Pell Grant ProgramAssistance Listing 84.063 | $26.8B | $27.6B | −3% | ▼ 2 |
| 22 | Section 8 Housing Choice VouchersAssistance Listing 14.871 | $26.7B | $24.8B | +8% | ▲ 2 |
| 23 | Community Development Block Grants/State's program and Non-Entitlement Grants in HawaiiAssistance Listing 14.228 | $25.9B | $6.3B | +310% | ▲ 23 |
| 24 | National School Lunch ProgramAssistance Listing 10.555 | $21.2B | $25.1B | −15% | ▼ 1 |
| 25 | Federal Transit Formula GrantsAssistance Listing 20.507 | $20.5B | $28.6B | −28% | ▼ 8 |
| 26 | Provider Relief Fund and American Rescue Plan (ARP) Rural DistributionAssistance Listing 93.498 | $19.5B | $99.7B | −80% | ▼ 18 |
| 27 | Purchase Care ProgramAssistance Listing 64.029 | $18.4B | $11.5B | +60% | ▲ 7 |
| 28 | Children's Health Insurance ProgramAssistance Listing 93.767 | $18.1B | $18.2B | 0% | ▼ 2 |
| 29 | Temporary Assistance for Needy FamiliesAssistance Listing 93.558 | $18.1B | $17.1B | +6% | ▼ 2 |
| 30 | USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs OverseasAssistance Listing 98.001 | $16.6B | $13.1B | +26% | ▲ 2 |
| 31 | Title I Grants to Local Educational AgenciesAssistance Listing 84.010 | $16.4B | $16.2B | +1% | ▼ 3 |
| 32 | Special Education Grants to StatesAssistance Listing 84.027 | $15.5B | $12.8B | +21% | ▲ 1 |
| 33 | Social Insurance for Railroad WorkersAssistance Listing 57.001 | $13.4B | $13.5B | 0% | ▼ 4 |
| 34 | Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA)Assistance Listing 14.195 | $13.3B | $13.2B | +1% | ▼ 3 |
| 35 | Head StartAssistance Listing 93.600 | $11.8B | $11.1B | +7% | ▲ 1 |
| 36 | VHA Outpatient Specialty CareAssistance Listing 64.041 | $11.5B | $9.1B | +26% | ▲ 2 |
| 37 | Child Care Mandatory and Matching Funds of the Child Care and Development FundAssistance Listing 93.596 | $10.4B | $8.6B | +21% | ▲ 3 |
| 38 | Airport Improvement Program, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Programs, and COVID-19 Airports ProgramsAssistance Listing 20.106 | $10.3B | $13.5B | −23% | ▼ 8 |
| 39 | HRSA COVID-19 Claims Reimbursement for the Uninsured Program and the COVID-19 Coverage Assistance FundAssistance Listing 93.461 | $10B | $1.4B | +617% | ▲ 68 |
| 40 | Homeowner Assistance FundAssistance Listing 21.026 | $9.9B | — | — | — |
| 41 | Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 1Assistance Listing 10.130 | $9.8B | $8.8B | +10% | ▼ 2 |
| 42 | Shuttered Venue Operators Grant ProgramAssistance Listing 59.075 | $9.7B | — | — | — |
| 43 | Low-Income Home Energy AssistanceAssistance Listing 93.568 | $9.3B | $4.6B | +100% | ▲ 11 |
| 44 | Post-9/11 Veterans Educational AssistanceAssistance Listing 64.028 | $9.2B | $10.2B | −10% | ▼ 7 |
| 45 | VHA Outpatient Ancillary ServicesAssistance Listing 64.045 | $8.9B | $7.5B | +19% | ▼ 3 |
| 46 | Unemployment InsuranceAssistance Listing 17.225 | $8.8B | $7.4B | +20% | ▼ 3 |
| 47 | Veterans Prescription ServiceAssistance Listing 64.012 | $8.3B | $8.3B | 0% | ▼ 6 |
| 48 | VHA Inpatient MedicineAssistance Listing 64.040 | $8B | $7.1B | +13% | ▼ 4 |
| 49 | Health Center ProgramAssistance Listing 93.224 | $7.4B | $2.1B | +259% | ▲ 37 |
| 50 | Immunization Cooperative AgreementsAssistance Listing 93.268 | $7.2B | $696.8M | +930% | ▲ 115 |
| 51 | Veterans Dependency and Indemnity Compensation for Service-Connected DeathAssistance Listing 64.110 | $7.2B | $6.9B | +4% | ▼ 6 |
| 52 | Disaster Assistance LoansAssistance Listing 59.008 | $7B | $26.1B | −73% | ▼ 32 |
| 53 | Basic Health Program (Affordable Care Act)Assistance Listing 93.640 | $6.9B | $6.3B | +10% | ▼ 6 |
| 54 | Home Investment Partnerships ProgramAssistance Listing 14.239 | $6.5B | $1.1B | +481% | ▲ 76 |
| 55 | Price Loss CoverageAssistance Listing 10.112 | $6.3B | $2.6B | +138% | ▲ 18 |
| 56 | Economic Injury Disaster Loan Emergency AdvanceAssistance Listing 59.072 | $5.7B | $20B | −71% | ▼ 31 |
| 57 | Tribal Self-Governance Program: IHS Compacts/Funding Agreements Assistance Listing 93.210 | $5.7B | $3.3B | +73% | ▲ 4 |
| 58 | WIC Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Assistance Listing 10.557 | $5.5B | $5.3B | +5% | ▼ 9 |
| 59 | Foster Care Title IV-EAssistance Listing 93.658 | $5.5B | $5.6B | −3% | ▼ 11 |
| 60 | State Administrative Matching Grants for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance ProgramAssistance Listing 10.561 | $5.4B | $4.9B | +9% | ▼ 9 |
| 61 | Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance AbuseAssistance Listing 93.959 | $4.9B | $1.8B | +171% | ▲ 32 |
| 62 | Public Housing Operating FundAssistance Listing 14.850 | $4.8B | $4.8B | +2% | ▼ 9 |
| 63 | Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement GrantsAssistance Listing 14.218 | $4.8B | $2.8B | +71% | ▲ 7 |
| 64 | National Railroad Passenger Corporation GrantsAssistance Listing 20.315 | $4.7B | $3B | +56% | ▲ 1 |
| 65 | Allergy and Infectious Diseases ResearchAssistance Listing 93.855 | $4.5B | $4.9B | −7% | ▼ 13 |
| 66 | General Department of State AssistanceAssistance Listing 19.700 | $4.5B | $4B | +13% | ▼ 10 |
| 67 | VHA Diagnostic CareAssistance Listing 64.050 | $4B | $3.4B | +18% | ▼ 7 |
| 68 | VHA Primary CareAssistance Listing 64.047 | $3.9B | $3B | +32% | ▼ 2 |
| 69 | Child Support EnforcementAssistance Listing 93.563 | $3.9B | $2.5B | +53% | ▲ 6 |
| 70 | Grants for New and Expanded Services under the Health Center ProgramAssistance Listing 93.527 | $3.9B | $5.1B | −23% | ▼ 20 |
| 71 | Federal Transit Capital Investment GrantsAssistance Listing 20.500 | $3.9B | $2.2B | +75% | ▲ 12 |
| 72 | Block Grants for Community Mental Health ServicesAssistance Listing 93.958 | $3.8B | $693.7M | +452% | ▲ 94 |
| 73 | Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2Assistance Listing 10.132 | $3.7B | — | — | — |
| 74 | Adoption AssistanceAssistance Listing 93.659 | $3.6B | $3.4B | +5% | ▼ 15 |
| 75 | Universal Service Fund - High CostAssistance Listing 32.002 | $3.6B | $25.7B | −86% | ▼ 54 |
| 76 | Nutrition Assistance For Puerto RicoAssistance Listing 10.566 | $3.6B | $2.2B | +60% | ▲ 6 |
| 77 | Contributions to International Organizations for Overseas AssistanceAssistance Listing 19.515 | $3.4B | $2.7B | +28% | ▼ 5 |
| 78 | VHA Community Living CenterAssistance Listing 64.049 | $3.4B | $2.4B | +45% | same |
| 79 | Veterans Prosthetic AppliancesAssistance Listing 64.013 | $3.4B | $3B | +13% | ▼ 16 |
| 80 | Aging ResearchAssistance Listing 93.866 | $3.3B | $2.8B | +18% | ▼ 12 |
| 81 | VHA Mental Health clinicsAssistance Listing 64.048 | $3.3B | $3.5B | −7% | ▼ 23 |
| 82 | Rehabilitation Services Vocational Rehabilitation Grants to StatesAssistance Listing 84.126 | $3.2B | $3.1B | 0% | ▼ 20 |
| 83 | Federal Disaster Assistance to Individuals and Households in Presidential Declared Disaster AreasAssistance Listing 97.048 | $3.1B | $419.7M | +634% | ▲ 124 |
| 84 | State of Good Repair Grants ProgramAssistance Listing 20.525 | $3.1B | $3B | +2% | ▼ 20 |
| 85 | Public Housing Capital FundAssistance Listing 14.872 | $2.9B | $2.7B | +5% | ▼ 14 |
| 86 | Cardiovascular Diseases ResearchAssistance Listing 93.837 | $2.8B | $1.6B | +75% | ▲ 14 |
| 87 | Emergency Solutions Grant ProgramAssistance Listing 14.231 | $2.6B | $1.9B | +37% | ▲ 2 |
| 88 | Biomedical Research and Research TrainingAssistance Listing 93.859 | $2.6B | $2.8B | −6% | ▼ 19 |
| 89 | Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National SignificanceAssistance Listing 93.243 | $2.6B | $1.2B | +121% | ▲ 34 |
| 90 | Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Assistance Listing 10.931 | $2.5B | $2.5B | +2% | ▼ 14 |
| 91 | Continuum of Care Program Assistance Listing 14.267 | $2.5B | $2B | +22% | ▼ 4 |
| 92 | Pension for Non-Service-Connected Disability for VeteransAssistance Listing 64.104 | $2.5B | $2.9B | −13% | ▼ 25 |
| 93 | VHA Inpatient SurgeryAssistance Listing 64.042 | $2.4B | $2.4B | 0% | ▼ 14 |
| 94 | Activities to Support State, Tribal, Local and Territorial (STLT) Health Department Response to Public Health or Healthcare CrisesAssistance Listing 93.391 | $2.3B | $146.1M | — | ▲ 248 |
| 95 | Trans-NIH Research SupportAssistance Listing 93.310 | $2.1B | $873.4M | +143% | ▲ 50 |
| 96 | National Guard Military Operations and Maintenance (O&M) ProjectsAssistance Listing 12.401 | $2.1B | $2.3B | −8% | ▼ 16 |
| 97 | Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants (formerly Improving Teacher Quality State Grants)Assistance Listing 84.367 | $2.1B | $2.1B | +1% | ▼ 12 |
| 98 | Public Health Emergency Response: Cooperative Agreement for Emergency Response: Public Health Crisis ResponseAssistance Listing 93.354 | $2B | $752.1M | +166% | ▲ 60 |
| 99 | ChampvaAssistance Listing 64.039 | $2B | $1.7B | +16% | ▼ 3 |
| 100 | Crop InsuranceAssistance Listing 10.450 | $1.9B | $1.9B | 0% | ▼ 10 |
A program's obligations are usually routed through state agencies or institutions, which appear as the recipients of record. The program page shows both ends.
Questions
- What is the biggest federal assistance program in FY2021?
- Social Security Retirement Insurance, obligating $894.5B in FY2021.
- What is a CFDA number?
- The identifier from the federal Assistance Listings catalogue (formerly the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance). Every grant, loan and direct-payment program has one, which is how the same program can be tracked across agencies and years.
- Where does this ranking come from?
- It is computed from USASpending.gov award records, which are U.S. government works and in the public domain. Each figure is the FY2021 obligations recorded against that assistance program. TheFiscalFinder does the ranking; the underlying figures are the government's own.
- How many programs are shown?
- The top 100 for FY2021. Each row opens that program's own page, where the same money is broken out by year, by counterparty and by place.
- Does a high position mean anything is wrong?
- No. This is a description of where public money went in FY2021, computed from public records. It is not an allegation about anyone on it.
Related rankings
Why the labels? The graph is only worth anything if the links are trusted. Facts taken straight from a federal filing are Source; figures we calculate are Computed; links we infer (corporate parents, districts, similar contractors, connections between records) are Inferred, worded carefully, never asserted as fact and never a claim that one thing caused another. Spot an error? Tell us.