Services of the United States Federal Government by Owen Borville 10.27.2025
The federal government provides a wide range of public services that protect safety, maintain infrastructure, support economic stability, deliver social welfare, regulate markets, and provide information and benefits to individuals and organizations.
In fiscal year 2025, the largest categories of U.S. federal spending are Social Security (23%), Medicare and Health (14% each), and Net Interest (14%), followed by National Defense (13%), Income Security (10%), Veterans Benefits and Services (5%), Transportation (2%), and Natural Resources and Environment and Administration of Justice (1% each). A more detailed breakdown of U.S. government services as a percentage of the fiscal year 2025 budget: Social Security: 23% Medicare: 14% Health: 14% Net Interest: 14% National Defense: 13% Income Security: 10% Veterans Benefits and Services: 5% Transportation: 2% Natural Resources and Environment: 1% Administration of Justice: 1%
Major U.S. Federal Government Service Categories:
Public Safety and National Defense — military defense, homeland security, disaster response, law enforcement coordination.
Social Safety Net and Health — Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, unemployment insurance, food assistance, public health programs.
Economic and Financial Services — tax collection and refunds, financial regulation, federal loans and loan guarantees, deposit insurance, economic stimulus and grants.
Transportation and Infrastructure — interstate highways, air traffic control, aviation safety, public transit grants, bridge and dam programs.
Justice and Legal Services — federal courts, prosecution of federal crimes, civil rights enforcement, immigration adjudication and enforcement.
Education and Workforce — student loans and grants, funding for K–12 and higher education programs, job training and employment services.
Research, Science, and Technology — federal research funding, space program, public data and statistics, scientific grants.
Environment and Natural Resources — national parks, wildlife and fisheries management, environmental protection and regulation, conservation programs.
Consumer Protection and Regulation — food and drug safety, workplace safety, product safety, antitrust enforcement, financial consumer protection.
Identity, Records, and Documentation — passports, federal identification records, vital records support, veterans’ records.
Grants, Contracts, and Procurement — federal grants for states/localities, research, non-profits, and contracts for private companies supplying goods and services.
Information and Public Services — public data portals, federal guidance, regulatory information, help lines and online services.
Common ways people interact with these services: Apply for benefits and payments (Social Security, unemployment, SNAP). Obtain documents (passports, veterans’ records). Use public lands and parks. Access public health guidance, vaccinations, and emergency response. File taxes and receive refunds. Receive student aid or small-business loans and grants. Consult federal websites and hotlines for regulations, forms, and program eligibility.
Representative Federal Agencies:
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) — health programs and public health.
Social Security Administration (SSA) — retirement and disability benefits.
Department of Defense (DoD) — national defense.
Department of Transportation (DOT) — highways, aviation, transit.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) — tax collection and refunds.
Department of Education (ED) — student aid and education policy.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) — environmental regulation.
USDA — food assistance, agricultural support, rural services.
Department of Justice (DOJ) — federal law enforcement and legal services.
National Park Service (NPS) — management of national parks and monuments.
How to find and use a federal service: Use official portals and agency websites to check eligibility, required documents, and application steps. Many services can be started online, by phone, or in person at agency offices. State and local governments often administer federal programs; contact local offices for program-specific help.
The federal government provides a wide range of public services that protect safety, maintain infrastructure, support economic stability, deliver social welfare, regulate markets, and provide information and benefits to individuals and organizations.
In fiscal year 2025, the largest categories of U.S. federal spending are Social Security (23%), Medicare and Health (14% each), and Net Interest (14%), followed by National Defense (13%), Income Security (10%), Veterans Benefits and Services (5%), Transportation (2%), and Natural Resources and Environment and Administration of Justice (1% each). A more detailed breakdown of U.S. government services as a percentage of the fiscal year 2025 budget: Social Security: 23% Medicare: 14% Health: 14% Net Interest: 14% National Defense: 13% Income Security: 10% Veterans Benefits and Services: 5% Transportation: 2% Natural Resources and Environment: 1% Administration of Justice: 1%
Major U.S. Federal Government Service Categories:
Public Safety and National Defense — military defense, homeland security, disaster response, law enforcement coordination.
Social Safety Net and Health — Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, unemployment insurance, food assistance, public health programs.
Economic and Financial Services — tax collection and refunds, financial regulation, federal loans and loan guarantees, deposit insurance, economic stimulus and grants.
Transportation and Infrastructure — interstate highways, air traffic control, aviation safety, public transit grants, bridge and dam programs.
Justice and Legal Services — federal courts, prosecution of federal crimes, civil rights enforcement, immigration adjudication and enforcement.
Education and Workforce — student loans and grants, funding for K–12 and higher education programs, job training and employment services.
Research, Science, and Technology — federal research funding, space program, public data and statistics, scientific grants.
Environment and Natural Resources — national parks, wildlife and fisheries management, environmental protection and regulation, conservation programs.
Consumer Protection and Regulation — food and drug safety, workplace safety, product safety, antitrust enforcement, financial consumer protection.
Identity, Records, and Documentation — passports, federal identification records, vital records support, veterans’ records.
Grants, Contracts, and Procurement — federal grants for states/localities, research, non-profits, and contracts for private companies supplying goods and services.
Information and Public Services — public data portals, federal guidance, regulatory information, help lines and online services.
Common ways people interact with these services: Apply for benefits and payments (Social Security, unemployment, SNAP). Obtain documents (passports, veterans’ records). Use public lands and parks. Access public health guidance, vaccinations, and emergency response. File taxes and receive refunds. Receive student aid or small-business loans and grants. Consult federal websites and hotlines for regulations, forms, and program eligibility.
Representative Federal Agencies:
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) — health programs and public health.
Social Security Administration (SSA) — retirement and disability benefits.
Department of Defense (DoD) — national defense.
Department of Transportation (DOT) — highways, aviation, transit.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) — tax collection and refunds.
Department of Education (ED) — student aid and education policy.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) — environmental regulation.
USDA — food assistance, agricultural support, rural services.
Department of Justice (DOJ) — federal law enforcement and legal services.
National Park Service (NPS) — management of national parks and monuments.
How to find and use a federal service: Use official portals and agency websites to check eligibility, required documents, and application steps. Many services can be started online, by phone, or in person at agency offices. State and local governments often administer federal programs; contact local offices for program-specific help.