Rankings
Top federal assistance programs: FY2022
FY2022 · complete year · data as of 2026-07-11
≈ computed · CFDA
Social Security Retirement Insurance was the largest federal assistance program in FY2022, obligating $967.2B. 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 FY2021 is each name's change in position from FY2021; a dash means the name was not in FY2021's data.
Quick findings
Computed- The top 10 account for 80% of the $3.8T combined total of all 100 programs listed.
- Pension Plan Termination Insurance rose the most, from #303 in FY2021 to #39 in FY2022.
- Child Care Mandatory and Matching Funds of the Child Care and Development Fund fell the most among those listed, from #37 in FY2021 to #88 in FY2022.
| Rank | Name | FY2022 | FY2021 | Change | Rank vs FY2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Social Security Retirement InsuranceAssistance Listing 96.002 | $967.2B | $894.5B | +8% | same |
| 02 | Grants to States for MedicaidAssistance Listing 93.778 | $592.2B | $516B | +15% | same |
| 03 | Medicare Supplementary Medical InsuranceAssistance Listing 93.774 | $438.2B | $395.8B | +11% | same |
| 04 | Medicare Hospital InsuranceAssistance Listing 93.773 | $338.7B | $326.3B | +4% | ▲ 1 |
| 05 | Social Security Disability InsuranceAssistance Listing 96.001 | $142.3B | $139.6B | +2% | ▲ 3 |
| 06 | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance ProgramAssistance Listing 10.551 | $131.4B | $135.7B | −3% | ▲ 3 |
| 07 | Veterans Compensation for Service-Connected DisabilityAssistance Listing 64.109 | $122B | $100.4B | +21% | ▲ 3 |
| 08 | Medicare Prescription Drug CoverageAssistance Listing 93.770 | $117.4B | $98.1B | +20% | ▲ 3 |
| 09 | Social Security Survivors InsuranceAssistance Listing 96.004 | $96.7B | $91.8B | +5% | ▲ 3 |
| 10 | Highway Planning and ConstructionAssistance Listing 20.205 | $61.2B | $50.3B | +22% | ▲ 4 |
| 11 | Supplemental Security IncomeAssistance Listing 96.006 | $60.8B | $55.7B | +9% | ▲ 2 |
| 12 | National School Lunch ProgramAssistance Listing 10.555 | $34.7B | $21.2B | +63% | ▲ 12 |
| 13 | Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (Presidentially Declared Disasters)Assistance Listing 97.036 | $32.9B | $39.3B | −16% | ▲ 4 |
| 14 | Federal Transit Formula GrantsAssistance Listing 20.507 | $31.6B | $20.5B | +54% | ▲ 11 |
| 15 | USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs OverseasAssistance Listing 98.001 | $29.1B | $16.6B | +76% | ▲ 15 |
| 16 | Section 8 Housing Choice VouchersAssistance Listing 14.871 | $26.9B | $26.7B | +1% | ▲ 6 |
| 17 | Federal Pell Grant ProgramAssistance Listing 84.063 | $26.1B | $26.8B | −3% | ▲ 4 |
| 18 | Provider Relief Fund and American Rescue Plan (ARP) Rural DistributionAssistance Listing 93.498 | $24.2B | $19.5B | +24% | ▲ 8 |
| 19 | Purchase Care ProgramAssistance Listing 64.029 | $21.4B | $18.4B | +16% | ▲ 8 |
| 20 | Children's Health Insurance ProgramAssistance Listing 93.767 | $19.2B | $18.1B | +6% | ▲ 8 |
| 21 | Title I Grants to Local Educational AgenciesAssistance Listing 84.010 | $17.4B | $16.4B | +6% | ▲ 10 |
| 22 | Education Stabilization FundAssistance Listing 84.425 | $17.3B | $230B | −92% | ▼ 15 |
| 23 | Temporary Assistance for Needy FamiliesAssistance Listing 93.558 | $17.1B | $18.1B | −5% | ▲ 6 |
| 24 | Disaster Assistance LoansAssistance Listing 59.008 | $14.2B | $7B | +103% | ▲ 28 |
| 25 | Crop InsuranceAssistance Listing 10.450 | $14.1B | $1.9B | +650% | ▲ 75 |
| 26 | Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA)Assistance Listing 14.195 | $13.8B | $13.3B | +4% | ▲ 8 |
| 27 | Social Insurance for Railroad WorkersAssistance Listing 57.001 | $13.6B | $13.4B | +1% | ▲ 6 |
| 28 | Special Education Grants to StatesAssistance Listing 84.027 | $13.4B | $15.5B | −14% | ▲ 4 |
| 29 | HRSA COVID-19 Claims Reimbursement for the Uninsured Program and the COVID-19 Coverage Assistance FundAssistance Listing 93.461 | $13.3B | $10B | +33% | ▲ 10 |
| 30 | VHA Outpatient Specialty CareAssistance Listing 64.041 | $11.5B | $11.5B | 0% | ▲ 6 |
| 31 | Head StartAssistance Listing 93.600 | $10.5B | $11.8B | −12% | ▲ 4 |
| 32 | Basic Health Program (Affordable Care Act)Assistance Listing 93.640 | $10.2B | $6.9B | +47% | ▲ 21 |
| 33 | Coronavirus Capital Projects FundAssistance Listing 21.029 | $9.9B | — | — | — |
| 34 | Veterans Prescription ServiceAssistance Listing 64.012 | $9.3B | $8.3B | +12% | ▲ 13 |
| 35 | Veterans Dependency and Indemnity Compensation for Service-Connected DeathAssistance Listing 64.110 | $8.5B | $7.2B | +18% | ▲ 16 |
| 36 | Post-9/11 Veterans Educational AssistanceAssistance Listing 64.028 | $8.4B | $9.2B | −8% | ▲ 8 |
| 37 | Emergency Capital Investment ProgramAssistance Listing 21.030 | $8.3B | — | — | — |
| 38 | VHA Outpatient Ancillary ServicesAssistance Listing 64.045 | $7.8B | $8.9B | −12% | ▲ 7 |
| 39 | Pension Plan Termination InsuranceAssistance Listing 86.001 | $7.8B | $229.7M | — | ▲ 264 |
| 40 | Airport Improvement Program, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Programs, and COVID-19 Airports ProgramsAssistance Listing 20.106 | $7.7B | $10.3B | −25% | ▼ 2 |
| 41 | VHA Inpatient MedicineAssistance Listing 64.040 | $7.6B | $8B | −4% | ▲ 7 |
| 42 | Universal Service Fund - High CostAssistance Listing 32.002 | $7.4B | $3.6B | +108% | ▲ 33 |
| 43 | National Railroad Passenger Corporation GrantsAssistance Listing 20.315 | $6.6B | $4.7B | +41% | ▲ 21 |
| 44 | Child Care and Development Block GrantAssistance Listing 93.575 | $6.1B | $49B | −88% | ▼ 29 |
| 45 | State Administrative Matching Grants for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance ProgramAssistance Listing 10.561 | $5.7B | $5.4B | +6% | ▲ 15 |
| 46 | WIC Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Assistance Listing 10.557 | $5.6B | $5.5B | 0% | ▲ 12 |
| 47 | Foster Care Title IV-EAssistance Listing 93.658 | $5.1B | $5.5B | −7% | ▲ 12 |
| 48 | Public Housing Operating FundAssistance Listing 14.850 | $5B | $4.8B | +3% | ▲ 14 |
| 49 | Allergy and Infectious Diseases ResearchAssistance Listing 93.855 | $4.9B | $4.5B | +9% | ▲ 16 |
| 50 | Shuttered Venue Operators Grant ProgramAssistance Listing 59.075 | $4.9B | $9.7B | −50% | ▼ 8 |
| 51 | Emergency Relief ProgramAssistance Listing 10.964 | $4.8B | — | — | — |
| 52 | Emergency Connectivity Fund ProgramAssistance Listing 32.009 | $4.4B | $1.2B | +271% | ▲ 78 |
| 53 | VHA Primary CareAssistance Listing 64.047 | $4.1B | $3.9B | +6% | ▲ 15 |
| 54 | Contributions to International Organizations for Overseas AssistanceAssistance Listing 19.515 | $4.1B | $3.4B | +20% | ▲ 23 |
| 55 | VHA Diagnostic CareAssistance Listing 64.050 | $4.1B | $4B | +1% | ▲ 12 |
| 56 | Affordable Connectivity ProgramAssistance Listing 32.008 | $4B | $600.1M | +571% | ▲ 138 |
| 57 | Unemployment InsuranceAssistance Listing 17.225 | $4B | $8.8B | −55% | ▼ 11 |
| 58 | VHA Mental Health clinicsAssistance Listing 64.048 | $3.9B | $3.3B | +20% | ▲ 23 |
| 59 | Low-Income Home Energy AssistanceAssistance Listing 93.568 | $3.9B | $9.3B | −58% | ▼ 16 |
| 60 | Adoption AssistanceAssistance Listing 93.659 | $3.8B | $3.6B | +6% | ▲ 14 |
| 61 | Grants for New and Expanded Services under the Health Center ProgramAssistance Listing 93.527 | $3.8B | $3.9B | −2% | ▲ 9 |
| 62 | State of Good Repair Grants ProgramAssistance Listing 20.525 | $3.8B | $3.1B | +23% | ▲ 22 |
| 63 | Aging ResearchAssistance Listing 93.866 | $3.7B | $3.3B | +12% | ▲ 17 |
| 64 | Veterans Prosthetic AppliancesAssistance Listing 64.013 | $3.6B | $3.4B | +6% | ▲ 15 |
| 65 | VHA Community Living CenterAssistance Listing 64.049 | $3.5B | $3.4B | +2% | ▲ 13 |
| 66 | Child Support EnforcementAssistance Listing 93.563 | $3.4B | $3.9B | −13% | ▲ 3 |
| 67 | Community Development Block Grants/State's program and Non-Entitlement Grants in HawaiiAssistance Listing 14.228 | $3.4B | $25.9B | −87% | ▼ 44 |
| 68 | Public Housing Capital FundAssistance Listing 14.872 | $3.2B | $2.9B | +10% | ▲ 17 |
| 69 | Drinking Water State Revolving FundAssistance Listing 66.468 | $3.1B | $1.1B | +176% | ▲ 65 |
| 70 | Economic Adjustment AssistanceAssistance Listing 11.307 | $3.1B | $965.9M | +223% | ▲ 81 |
| 71 | Rehabilitation Services Vocational Rehabilitation Grants to StatesAssistance Listing 84.126 | $3.1B | $3.2B | −1% | ▲ 11 |
| 72 | Tribal Self-Governance Program: IHS Compacts/Funding Agreements Assistance Listing 93.210 | $3.1B | $5.7B | −46% | ▼ 15 |
| 73 | Cardiovascular Diseases ResearchAssistance Listing 93.837 | $3B | $2.8B | +6% | ▲ 13 |
| 74 | Biomedical Research and Research TrainingAssistance Listing 93.859 | $2.9B | $2.6B | +12% | ▲ 14 |
| 75 | Federal Disaster Assistance to Individuals and Households in Presidential Declared Disaster AreasAssistance Listing 97.048 | $2.8B | $3.1B | −11% | ▲ 8 |
| 76 | Unaccompanied Alien Children ProgramAssistance Listing 93.676 | $2.7B | $1.6B | +68% | ▲ 33 |
| 77 | Nutrition Assistance For Puerto RicoAssistance Listing 10.566 | $2.5B | $3.6B | −31% | ▼ 1 |
| 78 | Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National SignificanceAssistance Listing 93.243 | $2.4B | $2.6B | −6% | ▲ 11 |
| 79 | Pension for Non-Service-Connected Disability for VeteransAssistance Listing 64.104 | $2.4B | $2.5B | −3% | ▲ 13 |
| 80 | Continuum of Care Program Assistance Listing 14.267 | $2.4B | $2.5B | −5% | ▲ 11 |
| 81 | Federal Transit Capital Investment GrantsAssistance Listing 20.500 | $2.4B | $3.9B | −39% | ▼ 10 |
| 82 | Clean Water State Revolving FundAssistance Listing 66.458 | $2.3B | $1.7B | +36% | ▲ 24 |
| 83 | Student Support and Academic Enrichment ProgramAssistance Listing 84.424 | $2.2B | $1.2B | +87% | ▲ 48 |
| 84 | VHA Inpatient SurgeryAssistance Listing 64.042 | $2.2B | $2.4B | −7% | ▲ 9 |
| 85 | ChampvaAssistance Listing 64.039 | $2.2B | $2B | +11% | ▲ 14 |
| 86 | Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants (formerly Improving Teacher Quality State Grants)Assistance Listing 84.367 | $2.1B | $2.1B | +2% | ▲ 11 |
| 87 | National Guard Military Operations and Maintenance (O&M) ProjectsAssistance Listing 12.401 | $2.1B | $2.1B | +1% | ▲ 9 |
| 88 | Child Care Mandatory and Matching Funds of the Child Care and Development FundAssistance Listing 93.596 | $2.1B | $10.4B | −80% | ▼ 51 |
| 89 | Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency FundAssistance Listing 21.032 | $2B | — | — | — |
| 90 | Refugee and Entrant Assistance State/Replacement Designee Administered ProgramsAssistance Listing 93.566 | $2B | $484.2M | +312% | ▲ 124 |
| 91 | 1332 State Innovation WaiversAssistance Listing 93.423 | $1.9B | $1.7B | +11% | ▲ 14 |
| 92 | Price Loss CoverageAssistance Listing 10.112 | $1.9B | $6.3B | −69% | ▼ 37 |
| 93 | Global AIDSAssistance Listing 93.067 | $1.9B | $1.5B | +29% | ▲ 24 |
| 94 | Economic Injury Disaster Loan Emergency AdvanceAssistance Listing 59.072 | $1.9B | $5.7B | −67% | ▼ 38 |
| 95 | Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement GrantsAssistance Listing 14.218 | $1.9B | $4.8B | −60% | ▼ 32 |
| 96 | Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural ResearchAssistance Listing 93.847 | $1.9B | $1.8B | +5% | ▲ 6 |
| 97 | Supply Chain Reimbursement ProgramAssistance Listing 32.010 | $1.8B | — | — | — |
| 98 | Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological DisordersAssistance Listing 93.853 | $1.8B | $1.8B | +4% | ▲ 5 |
| 99 | UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND - SCHOOLS and LIBRARIESAssistance Listing 32.004 | $1.8B | $654.6M | +179% | ▲ 88 |
| 100 | Conservation Reserve ProgramAssistance Listing 10.069 | $1.8B | $1.9B | −2% | ▲ 1 |
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 FY2022?
- Social Security Retirement Insurance, obligating $967.2B in FY2022.
- 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 FY2022 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 FY2022. 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 FY2022, 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.