FY2026 Federal Obligations: Social Security Survivors Insurance Leads with $68.5B
Federal agencies have already obligated billions of dollars in FY2026, directing funds toward everything from individual disaster assistance to next-generation radar systems. The average federal contract falls well under the $1M mark. However, specific single-award contracts and assistance programs in FY2026 scale into the billions.
Based on data from USAspending.gov, this FY2026 federal spending breakdown highlights where the largest single contracts and assistance programs are currently concentrated.
Key takeaway: In FY2026, SOCIAL SECURITY SURVIVORS INSURANCE dominates federal assistance with $68.5B in obligations, while the Department of Homeland Security is issuing massive single-award construction contracts exceeding $600M each.
Top Federal Assistance Programs in FY2026
The largest federal assistance programs FY2026 totals show a heavy concentration in social safety nets and disaster recovery. Most federal grants and assistance programs distribute funds across thousands of individual awards.
Here is the thing: a single program often dwarfs the rest of the federal assistance landscape. Social Security Survivors Insurance FY2026 obligations sit at a massive $68.5B, distributed across 44,053 individual awards.
The FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS AND HOUSEHOLDS IN PRESIDENTIAL DECLARED DISASTER AREAS program follows with $3.1B obligated through just 182 awards.
| Federal Program | Total Obligated | Award Count |
|---|---|---|
| SOCIAL SECURITY SURVIVORS INSURANCE | $68.5B | 44,053 |
| FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS AND HOUSEHOLDS IN PRESIDENTIAL DECLARED DISASTER AREAS | $3.1B | 182 |
| EMERGENCY LIVESTOCK RELIEF PROGRAM 2023 AND 2024 FLOOD AND WILDFIRE | $560.4M | 30,605 |
| ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY FOR HEALTH (ARPA-H) | $328.7M | 60 |
| STATE, PLANNING AND RESEARCH | $152.7M | 511 |
| GEOSCIENCES | $121.1M | 262 |
| JOHN H. CHAFEE FOSTER CARE PROGRAM FOR SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD | $105.6M | 59 |
| ARTHRITIS, MUSCULOSKELETAL AND SKIN DISEASES RESEARCH | $105.4M | 135 |
Significant FY2026 Contract Awards by Agency
Beyond assistance programs, individual agency procurement drives significant capital output. The largest government contracts FY2026 data reveals massive investments in infrastructure, defense, and healthcare administration.
The result? A handful of primary contractors secure the vast majority of top-tier federal obligations.
| Recipient | Awarding Agency | Total Obligation | Industry (NAICS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP | National Aeronautics and Space Administration | $2.87B | 336415 |
| TRIWEST HEALTHCARE ALLIANCE CORP | Department of Veterans Affairs | $928.0M | 524114 |
| COCHRANE USA INC | Department of Homeland Security | $641.2M | 236220 |
| OPTUM PUBLIC SECTOR SOLUTIONS, INC. | Department of Veterans Affairs | $609.2M | 524114 |
| BCCG A JOINT VENTURE | Department of Homeland Security | $568.6M | 236220 |
| SOUTHWEST VALLEY CONSTRUCTORS CO | Department of Homeland Security | $523.9M | 236220 |
| BCCG A JOINT VENTURE | Department of Homeland Security | $483.4M | 236220 |
| RAYTHEON COMPANY | Department of Transportation | $418.3M | 334511 |
Department of Homeland Security's Large Construction Contracts in FY2026
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) accounts for several of the highest-value individual awards this fiscal year. Through U.S. Customs and Border Protection, DHS is funding multiple large-scale border barrier projects.
These DHS construction contracts 2026 are categorized under 236220 — COMMERCIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTION. The agency relies on a concentrated group of heavy construction firms to execute these mandates.
Notable DHS obligations in FY2026 include:
- $641.2M to COCHRANE USA INC for the RGV-3 Waterborne Barrier Construction Project in Virginia.
- $568.6M and $483.4M to BCCG A JOINT VENTURE across two separate obligations for tiered line items and DPAS clause revisions in Alabama.
- $523.9M to SOUTHWEST VALLEY CONSTRUCTORS CO for the LRT-3 Vertical Barrier Construction Project in New Mexico.
Healthcare and Insurance Contractors in FY2026
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is obligating massive sums to manage health benefits and process claims. These top federal grants 2026 and related contracts fall entirely under 524114 — DIRECT HEALTH AND MEDICAL INSURANCE CARRIERS.
But there is a catch. These are not direct healthcare delivery contracts; they are administrative and insurance processing agreements.
The VA awarded $928.0M to TriWest Healthcare Alliance Corp in Arizona for express reporting services. Similarly, Optum Public Sector Solutions, Inc. in Wisconsin secured $609.2M for first-quarter reporting requirements.
Other Notable FY2026 Federal Obligations
Beyond border infrastructure and veteran healthcare, aerospace and aviation technology represent massive capital outlays. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) holds a $2.87B obligation with Lockheed Martin Corp for external tanks.
This NASA contract is classified under 336415 — GUIDED MISSILE AND SPACE VEHICLE PROPULSION UNIT AND PROPULSION UNIT PARTS MANUFACTURING.
Truth is: aviation infrastructure requires similar scale. The Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded $418.3M to Raytheon Company for radar system replacement. This contract supports the Federal Aviation Administration's transition to a next-generation air traffic control system.
Quick Takeaways
- Social Security leads: Survivors Insurance remains the dominant federal assistance program, obligating $68.5B in FY2026.
- DHS builds heavily: U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued four separate construction contracts exceeding $480M each.
- VA administration costs: Two medical insurance carriers secured over $1.5B combined for VA express reporting and claims management.
- Aerospace dominates single awards: NASA's $2.87B obligation to Lockheed Martin is the largest single aerospace contract currently active in FY2026.