Rehabilitation Services Client Assistance Program
Active
- Assistance listing
- 84.161
- Agency
-
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
Department of Education
- Grant awards
- 1,476 $265,948,659 in federal obligations
Program facts
- Also known as
- Client Assistance Program (CAP)
- Assistance type
-
- Formula Grant
- Treasury account
-
- 91-0301-0-1-506
- More information
Program details come from SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Updated . Grant award figures come from USAspending.gov.
About this program
The Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services funds the Rehabilitation Services Client Assistance Program (CFDA 84.161) through annual formula grants to states and the protection and advocacy system serving the American Indian Consortium, with the most recent grant awards issued on October 1, 2025.
The program funds client assistance activities for eligible individuals and applicants participating in Vocational Rehabilitation state grants and other services under the Rehabilitation Act. CAP recipients provide advisory and advocacy services, including individual and systemic advocacy, pursuit of legal and administrative remedies, promotion of understanding of available rehabilitation benefits, and assistance in protecting client rights. States designate public or private agencies to operate their CAP programs; State VR agencies must operate a CAP to receive VR grant funds and are required to inform consumers about CAP services and contact information.
The program distributes funding consistently across the portfolio: 1,476 awards across a 25-year history spanning from October 2000 to October 2025, with a steady cadence of 56–59 awards annually over the past five years. Combined federal dollars obligated total $265.9 million with no matching requirement. The Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services dominates the program, accounting for 1,424 awards and $253.8 million in federal dollars obligated; a smaller cohort of 52 awards from the Department of Education general program represents $12.1 million. All funding takes the form of Formula Grants.
Award magnitudes vary by state population and allocation formula: recent awards range from $59,477 to $1.26 million for fiscal year 2025 (ending September 30, 2026). Representative October 2025 awards include $1.26 million to one state (Formula Grant H161A260066), $1.00 million to another (H161A260044), and $641 thousand (H161A260065). Awards are one-year commitments with unobligated funds eligible for carryover to the succeeding fiscal year.
No recent grant opportunities are posted; funding flows through annual statutory allotment notices based on formula allocation to eligible state and tribal entities.
Objective and description
- Objective
To establish and carry out client assistance programs in each State and at the protection and advocacy system serving the American Indian Consortium that: (1) advise and inform clients and client-applicants of available benefits under the Rehabilitat
- Description
The Client Assistance Program (CAP) provides grants to States for services to assist eligible individuals and applicants for the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) State Grants program and other programs, projects, and services funded under the Rehabilitation Act (the Act). CAP focuses on promoting understanding of the rehabilitation services and benefits available under the Act and advising eligible individuals of their rights and responsibilities in connection with those benefits. The program also offers eligible individuals and applicants a variety of other kinds of assistance, including individual or systemic advocacy, pursuit of legal and administrative remedies, and assistance and advocacy in pursuing legal and administrative remedies to ensure the protection of their rights. State VR agencies must operate a CAP to receive VR State grant funds, and are required to inform VR consumers about the services available from the CAP and how to contact the CAP.
Eligibility
- Applicant eligibility
States (through the Governor) and the protection and advocacy system serving the American Indian Consortium, are eligible for awards. With the exception of the protection and advocacy system serving the American Indian Consortium, the Governor designates a public or private agency to conduct the State's program.
- Beneficiary eligibility
Clients and client-applicants receiving services or interested in seeking assistance under the Rehabilitation Act will benefit from CAP services.
- Uses of assistance
Grant funds may be used for services to help clients and client-applicants understand the rehabilitation services available under the Rehabilitation Act, including pre-employment transition services for students with disabilities under section 113 of the Act, and to provide information to individuals with disabilities in the State. Grants funds also may be used to assist clients and client-applicants of any other program funded under the Rehabilitation Act, including the Supported Employment program under title VI or any of the independent living programs under title VII of the Rehabilitation Act. CAPs also may assist clients and client-applicants with any concerns they have arising under section 511 of the Rehabilitation Act. The CAP is not allowed to bring any class action.
- Use restrictions
Contact program office contact for more information.
- Length and time phasing of assistance
Funds are awarded for one fiscal year. Funds that are not obligated by the end of the fiscal year may be carried over for obligation in the year succeeding the year in which the funds were awarded.
How to apply
- Award procedure
A notice of annual allotment to the State is issued based on a statutory formula. States receive annual grant award notices and funds are withdrawn under the Electronic Transfer System.
- Appeals
The State may appeal to the Office of Administrative Law Judges (34 CFR 81) a decision to withhold funds.
Grant awards
Latest 10 of 1,476 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Top recipients by federal obligations
| Rank | Recipient | Federal obligations | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Disability Rights Texas | $18,163,041 | 7% |
| 2 | Disability Rights California | $17,156,736 | 6% |
| 3 | Disability Rights Florida Inc. | $13,539,858 | 5% |
| 4 | Disability Advocates Inc. | $9,487,771 | 4% |
| 5 | Center For Disability Law And Policy | $8,540,217 | 3% |
| 6 | CA Dept Of Rehabilitation | $8,513,974 | 3% |
| 7 | Martin & Jones Law Office | $6,758,091 | 3% |
| 8 | Disability Rights Michigan | $6,691,116 | 3% |
| 9 | Disability Rights New Jersey | $5,990,223 | 2% |
| 10 | North Carolina Department Of Health & Human Services | $5,908,729 | 2% |
10 of 82 recipients listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Federal obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Federal obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2026 | $12,855,498 |
| FY2025 | $12,503,733 |
| FY2024 | $12,776,410 |
| FY2023 | $14,552,670 |
| FY2022 | $12,795,384 |
| FY2021 | $13,000,000 |
| FY2020 | $12,957,724 |
| FY2019 | $12,630,006 |
| FY2018 | $12,551,892 |
| FY2017 | $12,080,958 |
| FY2016 | $12,831,504 |
| FY2015 | $12,734,776 |
| FY2014 | $11,931,672 |
| FY2013 | $11,936,924 |
| FY2012 | $11,737,914 |
| FY2011 | $12,056,632 |
| FY2010 | $12,325,612 |
| FY2009 | $11,628,859 |
| FY2008 | $11,615,115 |
| FY2007 | $11,797,506 |
| FY2006 | $1,267,909 |
| FY2005 | $5,039,836 |
| FY2004 | $1,316,346 |
| FY2003 | $1,040,039 |
| FY2002 | $2,449,468 |
| FY2001 | $5,534,272 |
Show all 26
Quick answers
What is Assistance Listing 84.161?
Assistance Listing 84.161 is Rehabilitation Services Client Assistance Program, a federal grant program run by Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (Department of Education).
What is the CFDA number for Rehabilitation Services Client Assistance Program?
Its CFDA number is 84.161: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.
How much funding has Assistance Listing 84.161 awarded?
1,476 grant awards under 84.161 have obligated $265,948,659 in federal funds to 82 recipients.
Who receives the most funding from 84.161?
The recipients obligated the most under Rehabilitation Services Client Assistance Program are Disability Rights Texas ($18,163,041), Disability Rights California ($17,156,736) and Disability Rights Florida Inc. ($13,539,858).
How much did 84.161 obligate in fiscal year 2025?
Grants under 84.161 obligated $12,503,733 in federal funds in fiscal year 2025.
On GovTribe
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