§15022 State allotments

Summary

Each year the Secretary divides the money set aside for services for people with developmental disabilities among the States. The split is based on three things: how many people live in the State, how great the need for services is there, and the State’s financial need. The money pays the federal share of projects that follow the State’s approved plan. The Secretary can change the amounts once a year and must tell each State about any change at least 6 months before the fiscal year starts. There are minimum payments: American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands get at least $210,000 (or $220,000 if total funding for the program is over $70,000,000). Other States get at least $400,000 (or $450,000 if funding is over $70,000,000), the State’s prior-year amount, or what the State got in 2000, 2001, or 2002—whichever is largest. If total required minimums would exceed the money available, all minimums are cut back proportionally. If overall appropriations rise faster than the recent Consumer Price Index increase, the Secretary must raise the minimums by the same ratio as the funding increase. Money left unused at the end of a year can be spent the next year for the same purposes. Agreements between State agencies count as obligations that use federal funds. States that work together can pool parts of their allotments under agreed plans. If the Secretary finds a State will not need some of its money, the Secretary can reassign that amount to other States. The Secretary must publish a reallotment notice at least 30 days before making the change, and the extra money is given out in proportion to other States’ original allotments, but reduced if a State cannot use the full share. Any reallotted funds become part of the receiving State’s allotment for that year.