42 USC § 1201 - Authorization of appropriations

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t42/s1201"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "42 USC § 1201 - Authorization of appropriations"
title_number: 42
title_name: "THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE"
section_number: "1201"
section_name: "Authorization of appropriations"
chapter_number: 7
chapter_name: "SOCIAL SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "X"
subchapter_name: "GRANTS TO STATES FOR AID TO BLIND"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title X, § 1001, 49 Stat. 645; Aug. 28, 1950, ch. 809, title III, pt. 6, § 361(b), 64 Stat. 558; 1953 Reorg. Plan No. 1, §§ 5, 8, eff. Apr. 11, 1953, 18 F.R. 2053, 67 Stat. 631; Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, title III, § 313(a), 70 Stat. 849; Pub. L. 87–543, title I, § 104(c)(3), July 25, 1962, 76 Stat. 186; Pub. L. 96–88, title V, § 509(b), Oct. 17, 1979, 93 Stat. 695; Pub. L. 97–35, title XXI, § 2184(c)(1), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 817.)"
---


# § 1201. Authorization of appropriations

For the purpose of enabling each State to furnish financial assistance, as far as practicable under the conditions in such State, to needy individuals who are blind, there is hereby authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year a sum sufficient to carry out the purposes of this subchapter. The sums made available under this section shall be used for making payments to States which have submitted, and had approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, State plans for aid to the blind.

---

**Source Credit**: (Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title X, § 1001, 49 Stat. 645; Aug. 28, 1950, ch. 809, title III, pt. 6, § 361(b), 64 Stat. 558; 1953 Reorg. Plan No. 1, §§ 5, 8, eff. Apr. 11, 1953, 18 F.R. 2053, 67 Stat. 631; Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, title III, § 313(a), 70 Stat. 849; Pub. L. 87–543, title I, § 104(c)(3), July 25, 1962, 76 Stat. 186; Pub. L. 96–88, title V, § 509(b), Oct. 17, 1979, 93 Stat. 695; Pub. L. 97–35, title XXI, § 2184(c)(1), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 817.)

### Repeal of Section

, (b), , , provided that this section is repealed effective , except with respect to Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands.

## Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1981— struck out “and of encouraging each State, as far as practicable under such conditions, to furnish rehabilitation and other services to help such individuals attain or retain capability for self-support and self-care” after “who are blind”.

1962— inserted “to furnish rehabilitation and other services” before “to help such individuals” and “or retain capability for” after “attain”.

1956—Act , restated purpose to include assistance to individuals to attain self-support or self-care.

1950—Act , substituted “Federal Security Administrator” for “Social Security Board”.

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Change of Name

“Secretary of Health and Human Services” substituted in text for “Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare” pursuant to , which is classified to , Education.

## Executive Documents

### Transfer of Functions

Functions of Federal Security Administrator transferred to Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare and all agencies of Federal Security Agency transferred to Department of Health, Education, and Welfare by section 5 of Reorg. Plan No. 1 of 1953, set out as a note under . Federal Security Agency and office of Administrator abolished by section 8 of Reorg. Plan No. 1 of 1953.