1. No category

ADMINISTRATION O F AID T O D E P E N D E N T C H I L D R E N
AND M O T H E R S ' A I D IN D E C E M B E R 1937
D O R O T H Y R . B U C K L I N and J O H N M .
T i t l e I V of the Federal Social Security A c t ,
enacted i n A u g u s t 1935, authorizes Federal
grants-in-aid to the States for aid to dependent
children. T h e provisions of this t i t l e represent
the most significant development i n legislation
affecting the care of dependent children i n their
own homes since the first State-wide mothers'-aid
law was passed i n I l l i n o i s i n 1911.
T h e necessity
for meeting the standards stipulated i n the act as
well as a desire to broaden the provisions of State
laws i n order to take full advantage of available
Federal funds has led m a n y States to enact new
legislation or to revise and amend old laws.
I n December 1937, a t the close of the second
year i n which Federal funds were available, 38
States, the D i s t r i c t of C o l u m b i a , and H a w a i i
were a d m i n i s t e r i n g aid to dependent children
under plans approved by the Social Security
B o a r d . I n the following discussion, the characteristics of these p l a n s are summarized a n d , as
far as possible, compared w i t h the provisions of
mothers'-aid laws i n effect i n the same States i n
1931, the year i n which the last comprehensive
study of mothers'-aid legislation was made.
1
2
3
4
5
A l t h o u g h every State plan for aid to dependent
* B u r e a u o f Bureau of Research and Statistics, D i v i s i o n o f P u b l i c A s s i s t a n c e
1
See
pp.
25-26
f o r all f o o t n o t e s .
Research.
LYNCH*
children approved by the Social Security B o a r d
is necessarily based upon a State l a w , the extent t o
w h i c h the plan is embodied i n the law varies
g r e a t l y among the States. A description of the
a d m i n i s t r a t i o n as revealed b y the characteristics
of State plans is, therefore, more enlightening t h a n
one based upon State laws. The provisions of
State plans selected for discussion are those
relating t o : (1) the State agency designated to
administer or to supervise the a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of
aid to dependent children, and s t a t u t o r y provisions
affecting the a d m i n i s t r a t i v e relationship of aid to
dependent children to other types of public assistance; (2) the allocation of p r i m a r y responsibility
for a d m i n i s t r a t i o n either to the State or to local
agencies; (3) local p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n the a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of the p r o g r a m ; (4) the division of financial
responsibility between the State and i t s local subdivisions; (5) persons eligible for assistance; (6)
p r o p e r t y and income l i m i t a t i o n s ; (7) ages of
children for w h o m aid m a y be g r a n t e d ; and (8)
a m o u n t of g r a n t p e r m i t t e d . I n the f o l l o w i n g
discussion, H a w a i i is o m i t t e d , and " S t a t e " is
used to include the D i s t r i c t of C o l u m b i a .
The
D i s t r i c t of C o l u m b i a has been excluded f r o m discussions w h i c h are i r r e l e v a n t to t h a t j u r i s d i c t i o n .
T h i s article also presents a brief description of
mothers'-aid legislation i n effect i n December 1937
i n 10 S t a t e s which a t t h a t time were n o t a d m i n istering aid to dependent children under the Social
Security A c t . Plans for aid to dependent children
have since been approved b y the Social Security
B o a r d for t w o of these States—for F l o r i d a i n
August 1938 and for V i r g i n i a i n September 1938.
6
Characteristics of State Plans Approved
by the Social Security Board
Single State
Agency
s i b i l i t y for m a k i n g investigations a n d m a i n t a i n i n g
direct contact w i t h the i n d i v i d u a l s receiving aid
to dependent c h i l d r e n , m a y rest either w i t h the
State agency or w i t h local p o l i t i c a l subdivisions.
State agencies have responsibility for the direct
a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of the p r o g r a m i n 14 States, and
i n the r e m a i n i n g 24 States
local p o l i t i c a l subdivisions assume t h i s f u n c t i o n under State supervision. E v e n under the State-administered systems, however, the State agency operates t h r o u g h
c o u n t y or d i s t r i c t offices i n a l l except four States.
I n 7 of the 14 States i n w h i c h the State agency
has direct a d m i n i s t r a t i v e responsibility, a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of m o t h e r s ' aid had also been a centralized
State r e s p o n s i b i l i t y ; i n the other 7 States i t had
been e n t i r e l y a local f u n c t i o n .
12
13
14
15
U n d e r the terms of the Social Security A c t , a
single State agency m u s t be designated either to
administer aid to dependent c h i l d r e n or to supervise the a d m i n i s t r a t i o n b y local units. I n the
m a j o r i t y of States, this single State agency is
Local Participation in
Administration
headed b y a State b o a r d . U n d e r the direction
of this board, an executive, appointed either b y
The plans of a l l States, except 5
of the 14
the Governor or b y the board, is responsible for
States i n w h i c h the State agency administers the
administering the p r o g r a m . The plans of five
p r o g r a m , provide for p a r t i c i p a t i o n of the localStates make no p r o v i s i o n for a board, and i n
ities i n the a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of aid to dependent
seven States the board is advisory o n l y .
children by the creation of local boards of public
w e l f a r e . L i k e their counterparts on the State
S t a t u t o r y p r o v i s i o n for the i n t e g r a t i o n of the
level, the local boards have either an a d m i n i s t r a a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of aid to dependent c h i l d r e n w i t h
t i v e or an advisory relationship to the local
one or more other types of public assistance i n
a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of the p r o g r a m . I n the m a j o r i t y
the same State agency exists i n a l l b u t one State,
of States the boards have been created p r i m a r i l y
Delaware
I n a few States, however, the creation
to assist local departments of public welfare i n
of separate bureaus w i t h i n the State agency to
the a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of aid to dependent children
administer the several types of assistance has
and other types of public assistance, b u t i n a few
l i m i t e d the i n t e g r a t i o n i n actual p r a c t i c e
States the local boards consist of the c o u n t y
A c c o r d i n g to the s t a t u t o r y provisions, i n 32
commissioners.
States
the State agency responsible for the
a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of aid to dependent c h i l d r e n also
F i n a l decision w i t h respect to d e t e r m i n i n g
is to administer or to supervise the a d m i n i s t r a t i o n
e l i g i b i l i t y and the a m o u n t of the g r a n t , except i n
of old-age assistance a n d aid to the b l i n d . I n 23
cases of i n d i v i d u a l s w h o appeal to the State
of these States
the same State agency is to have
agency a n d are g r a n t e d a fair hearing, is a responsome responsibility for the a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of gens i b i l i t y of the local d e p a r t m e n t of public welfare
eral relief. The State agency responsible for the
or the local board i n h a l f the States.
W i t h one
a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of a i d to dependent children is b y
exception—New Jersey—these are all States i n
s t a t u t e responsible for the a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of
old-age
assistance
general relief
i n Massachusetts,
w h i c h local
p o l i t i c aand
l subdivisions
administer
aid
M i s s o u r i , a n d N o r t h C a r o l i n a ; of old-age assistunder State supervision. The local departments
ance i n R h o d e I s l a n d ; of aid to the b l i n d and
make the final decision i n some States, and i n
general relief i n M i c h i g a n ; and of aid to the b l i n d
others
the local board performs this f u n c t i o n
in Vermont.
after receiving a r e p o r t and recommendation f r o m
the local d e p a r t m e n t .
I n the r e m a i n i n g 19
States, the final decision is made b y the State
Responsibility
for Direct
Administration
agency or i t s representative; i n 6 of these States
aid is locally administered under State supervision,
U n d e r the Social Security A c t , responsibility
and i n 13 the p r o g r a m is S t a t e - a d m i n i s t e r e d .
for direct a d m i n i s t r a t i o n , t h a t is, p r i m a r y respon16
17
7
8
9
10
11
18
19
2 0
21
22
23
State and Local
ments
Financing
of Assistance
Pay-
A l l State plans provide for some State financial
participation
i n accordance w i t h the r e q u i r e ments of the act. M a j o r responsibility for
financing assistance payments remains w i t h the
localities i n o n l y five States.
The State and
the local u n i t s provide an equal p o r t i o n of the
assistance costs i n 14 States, and i n 9 States
the cost of assistance p a y m e n t s , other t h a n the
Federal share, is borne e n t i r e l y b y the State.
The State bears the m a j o r share of the cost i n
six States, and i n four States
the d i v i s i o n of
financial responsibility between the State and the
local u n i t s m a y v a r y .
24
25
26
28
27
29
O n l y 12
of the 38 States a d m i n i s t e r i n g a i d
to dependent children under the Social Security
Act i n December 1937 provided some State funds
for the s u p p o r t of a p r o g r a m i n behalf of dependent
children i n 1931. Federal g r a n t s - i n - a i d a n d i n creased State financial p a r t i c i p a t i o n have lightened
substantially the share of the financial burden
hitherto borne b y local u n i t s i n p r o v i d i n g mothers'
aid. I n d i v i d u a l counties m a y have furnished
larger sums for a i d to dependent children i n 1937
than they p r o v i d e d f o r m e r l y for mothers' a i d ,
but a m u c h larger p r o p o r t i o n of the t o t a l cost
was borne b y the State and Federal Governments.
3 0
Persons Eligible for
Aid
A l l b u t five State plans authorize the g r a n t i n g
of aid t o c h i l d r e n w h o are l i v i n g w i t h relatives
enumerated under t i t l e I V of the Social Security
A c t and w h o are dependent for the reasons m e n tioned i n t h a t t i t l e . The relatives enumerated
under the act include the f o l l o w i n g :
31
Father
Mother
Grandfather
Grandmother
Brother
Sister
Stepfather
Stepmother
Stepbrother
Stepsister
Uncle
Aunt
The definition has been construed to include a d d i tional relatives as follows:
Adoptive father
Adoptive mother
Grandfather-in-law
Grandmother-in-law
Great-grandfather
Great-grandmother
Adoptive brother
B r o t h e r of the halfblood
Brother-in-law
A d o p t i v e sister
S i s t e r of the halfblood
Sister-in-law
U n c l e of t h e halfblood
Uncle-in-law
Great-uncle
A u n t of t h e h a l f b l o o d
Aunt-in-law
Great-aunt
A "dependent c h i l d " as defined i n the Social
Security A c t is one under 16 years of age who has
been deprived of p a r e n t a l support or care because
of the d e a t h , continued absence f r o m the home, or
physical or m e n t a l incapacity of a p a r e n t a n d w h o
is l i v i n g w i t h one or more of the relatives listed
above i n a place of residence m a i n t a i n e d b y such
relatives as his or t h e i r o w n home.
F o u r State plans r e s t r i c t the group of relatives
to w h o m a i d m a y be g r a n t e d i n behalf of dependent children, and the plans of three States—
California, New Jersey, a n d P e n n s y l v a n i a —
exclude c h i l d r e n w h o are dependent for some of the
reasons listed i n the Federal act. States are free
to a d o p t either a broader or n a r r o w e r d e f i n i t i o n
of a dependent c h i l d t h a n t h a t specified i n the
act, b u t most have chosen t o adopt this d e f i n i t i o n
and thereby to o b t a i n Federal a i d i n behalf of
children who otherwise m i g h t have to be supported
f r o m State a n d local general relief funds.
U n d e r the provisions of the State plans i n effect
i n December 1937, o n l y t w o S t a t e s — N e w H a m p shire and P e n n s y l v a n i a — r e s t r i c t a i d to children
who are l i v i n g w i t h their mothers.
The
New
Jersey plan specifying t h a t a i d m a y be g r a n t e d
o n l y to mothers defines " m o t h e r " to include a
w o m a n i n loco parentis. I n M i n n e s o t a , a i d is
granted o n l y i n behalf of children l i v i n g w i t h
female relatives enumerated under the Federal
act.
I n 1931, 36 of the 39 j u r i s d i c t i o n s h a v i n g
approved plans i n December 1937 h a d m o t h e r s ' aid laws. The laws of 15 States expressly stated
t h a t a i d m i g h t be g r a n t e d t o persons other t h a n
mothers, usually the g u a r d i a n or other person
s t a n d i n g i n place of a p a r e n t , b u t i n a few States
relatives were specified.
F o u r of the State plans i n effect i n December
1937 are less restrictive t h a n the Federal act as t o
where a dependent c h i l d m a y l i v e . I n Delaware
aid m a y be granted i n behalf of a c h i l d l i v i n g w i t h
any person i n loco parentis designated b y the
M o t h e r s ' Pension Commission.
I n addition to
children l i v i n g w i t h relatives enumerated under
the Federal act, a i d m a y be granted i n C a l i f o r n i a
i n behalf of children l i v i n g i n i n s t i t u t i o n s governed
b y rules and regulations of the State D e p a r t m e n t
of Social W e l f a r e ; i n Georgia, i n behalf of dependent
children under care of the juvenile c o u r t who have
been placed i n p r i v a t e homes; a n d i n N o r t h D a k o t a ,
3 2
33
i n behalf of children l i v i n g i n a foster home other
t h a n t h a t of a relative or i n homes provided
b y child-caring or child-placing agencies a u t h o r ized under the laws of the State. Federal funds,
however, m a y n o t be used i n behalf of these
children.
T h e plans of 27 States
m e n t i o n specifically
t h a t the child's home m u s t be suitable or m u s t
meet certain standards of care and h e a l t h fixed
by the State. A s i m i l a r provision contained i n
the plans of eight States specifies t h a t the relative
m u s t be a fit person to b r i n g up the c h i l d . F o u r
State p l a n s
specify t h a t the child's religious
f a i t h m u s t be protected.
I n all States except C a l i f o r n i a , N e w Jersey, and
Pennsylvania, aid m a y be granted for any of the
reasons mentioned under t i t l e I V of the Federal
act, t h a t is, less of p a r e n t a l s u p p o r t or care because
of the death, continued absence f r o m the home, or
physical or m e n t a l incapacity of a parent. D i vorce is n o t recognized as a reason for dependency
i n the plans i n effect i n these three States.
Under
the plans of C a l i f o r n i a and Pennsylvania, children
dependent because of the desertion of one p a r e n t
are n o t g r a n t e d a i d .
T h i r t y - s i x j u r i s d i c t i o n s a d m i n i s t e r i n g aid under
the act i n December 1937 h a d mothers'-aid laws
i n effect i n 1931. T h e mothers'-aid laws i n o n l y
15 S t a t e s
included dependent children whose
fathers were dead, divorced, or had deserted
t h e m ; whose fathers were i n prison, or were,
because of physical or m e n t a l disease, unable to
support t h e m . I n U t a h , aid was restricted to
widows. U n d e r the laws of the r e m a i n i n g 20
States, aid could be granted to mothers whose
husbands were physically or m e n t a l l y incapacit a t e d , b u t divorced mothers were n o t eligible for
assistance i n any of these States; deserted mothers
were ineligible i n 7 S t a t e s ; and those whose h u s bands were imprisoned, i n 5 States.
3 4
35
3 6
37
38
39
40
Property
and Income
Limitations
Specific p r o p e r t y and income l i m i t a t i o n s as a
c o n d i t i o n of e l i g i b i l i t y are o u t l i n e d i n the plans
of 13 States.
A general l i m i t a t i o n s t a t i n g t h a t
income m u s t be insufficient to provide a reasonable
subsistence compatible w i t h decency and h e a l t h
is included i n the plans of seven States.
I n the
r e m a i n i n g 19 States, neither specific nor general
l i m i t a t i o n s on p r o p e r t y and income are a p a r t of
the plans. F i f t e e n State plans specify variously
41
42
43
t h a t relatives, responsible relatives, or legally responsible relatives m u s t be unable to
provide
support.
Ages of
Children
A l l States a d m i n i s t e r i n g aid to dependent children under approved plans p e r m i t the g r a n t i n g of
aid to children u n t i l they are a t least 16 years of
age, and five States have extended the age l i m i t
beyond this p o i n t . A i d m a y be granted i n behalf
of children up to and i n c l u d i n g 18 years of age in
C a l i f o r n i a ; and up to 18 years i n M i n n e s o t a , N o r t h
D a k o t a , a n d , a t the discretion of the c o u n t y adm i n i s t r a t i o n , i n Ohio. I n Wisconsin all minor
children are eligible, a t the discretion of the local
agency. Federal funds, however, may be used
o n l y i n behalf of children under 16 years of age.
A comparison of the age l i m i t s i n 1937 w i t h
those i n effect i n 1931 indicates t h a t nine States
have advanced the age l i m i t and t h a t four States
have set a lower l i m i t . T h e age l i m i t has been
raised f r o m 14 to 16 years i n four States; f r o m 15
to 16 years i n three States, Arkansas, I d a h o , and
W a s h i n g t o n ; i n one State, N o r t h D a k o t a , from
15 to 18 years; and i n another, M i n n e s o t a , from
16 to 18 years. T h e 18-year age l i m i t i n Colorado
and the 17-year l i m i t i n M i c h i g a n and Tennessee
i n effect i n 1931 have been lowered to 16. I n
I n d i a n a , where girls f o r m e r l y received aid up to
the age of 17, the age l i m i t is now 16 for both girls
and boys.
44
45
School attendance is required as a c o n d i t i o n of
e l i g i b i l i t y i n Delaware and M i n n e s o t a , and in the
l a t t e r State children over the compulsory school
age m u s t be unemployable because of physical or
m e n t a l d i s a b i l i t y , or m e n t a l l y incapable of benefiting f r o m f u r t h e r schooling, in order to receive
aid. F i v e States
g r a n t i n g aid to children up
to 16 years of age b o t h i n 1931 and in 1937 have
removed certain restrictions, previously i n effect,
r e l a t i n g to the child's school record, h e a l t h , and
employability.
46
Amount
of Grant
Permitted
Federal p a y m e n t s to each State h a v i n g an a p proved plan are l i m i t e d by the act to o n e - t h i r d
of the t o t a l a m o u n t expended under the p l a n , exclusive of a m o u n t s by w h i c h payments exceed $18
w i t h respect to one dependent c h i l d and $12 w i t h
respect to each other dependent c h i l d i n the same
home. T h e States, however, are e n t i r e l y free to
set higher or lower l i m i t s to i n d i v i d u a l payments
or to refrain f r o m l i m i t i n g the a m o u n t of g r a n t
either by legislative or a d m i n i s t r a t i v e decree.
T w e n t y States
do n o t l i m i t the a m o u n t of
aid w h i c h m a y be g r a n t e d . A l i m i t of $18 per
month for the first c h i l d and of $12 for each a d d i tional c h i l d is specified i n the plans of 12 States,
but i n one of these States, N o r t h Carolina, the
maximum m o n t h l y a m o u n t w h i c h m a y be granted
to a f a m i l y is $65. I n two S t a t e s — I n d i a n a and
47
48
Table 1 . — M a x i m u m monthly
a m o u n t allowable
to a
family with three dependent
children
in
December
1937 u n d e r State plans approved by the Social
Security
B o a r d classified by amounts allowable in 1931 under
State mothers'-aid
laws
1
Maximum
monthly
amount
allowable u n d e r mothers'-aid
l a w s , 1931
M a x i m u m m o n t h l y amount allowable
u n d e r S t a t e p l a n s , D e c e m b e r 1937
Total
Total
34
No m a x i m u m
$60-$70
$50-$59
$40-$49
$30-$39
$20-$29
9
3 2
4
6 2
6
6
No
maximum
$50-$59
3
2
2
17
3
1
1
1
3
1
$40-$49
12
$20-$29
2
3
3
4
2
1
1
Includes D i s t r i c t of C o l u m b i a . Excludes N e w Jersey, for w h i c h the
maximum i n 1937 was expressed in terms of the cost of institutional care, and
New York for w h i c h the 1934 m a x i m u m was s i m i l a r l y expressed.
I n California there was no m a x i m u m in 1937 for c h i l d r e n having county
residence, but a l i m i t a t i o n of $20 per c h i l d applied to c h i l d r e n lacking c o u n t y
residence. I n a d d i t i o n , New Y o r k had no m a x i m u m in 1937.
1
2
Minnesota
the m a x i m u m amounts w h i c h m a y
be granted exceed those specified under the act,
and i n three States—South Carolina, Tennessee,
and West V i r g i n i a — t h e y are less. A i d is l i m i t e d
to $4 per week per child i n V e r m o n t , and i n N e w
Jersey i t is restricted to an a m o u n t n o t exceeding
the cost of care in an approved child-caring i n s t i tution.
The Nebraska p l a n , w h i c h specifies t h a t the
m o n t h l y p a y m e n t per child shall n o t be less t h a n
$3, is the only plan w h i c h establishes a m i n i m u m ,
although the Georgia plan states t h a t the a m o u n t
granted cannot be less t h a n 75 percent of the
computed budget deficit.
Substantial progress was made between the
years 1931 and 1937 i n liberalizing the amounts
allowable i n the 36 States w i t h mothers'-aid laws
in 1931
and approved plans i n December 1937.
Using the m o n t h l y a m o u n t allowable to a f a m i l y
of three children as a basis for comparison, i t
may be noted t h a t the m a x i m u m was either raised
or removed i n 19 S t a t e s ;
in 6
i t was lowered
49
50
5 1
or a m a x i m u m was established; and i n 1 0
no
change was made. New Jersey, w h i c h h a d a
m a x i m u m for a f a m i l y of three children f a l l i n g
between $40-$49 i n 1931, l i m i t e d aid to an a m o u n t
n o t exceeding the cost of care i n an approved
child-caring i n s t i t u t i o n i n 1937.
5 2
Twelve States
w h i c h set an upper l i m i t on
grants i n 1931 no longer specify a m a x i m u m
a m o u n t w h i c h m a y be allowed, a l t h o u g h three
States w h i c h f o r m e r l y h a d no m a x i m u m — A r i zona, Colorado, and M a r y l a n d — h a v e adopted
one (table 1). Of the six S t a t e s
i n w h i c h the
m a x i m u m fell between $20 and $29 i n 1931,
three—Arkansas, Delaware, and W a s h i n g t o n — n o
longer specify a m a x i m u m ; t w o , I d a h o and O k l a homa, have raised i t to $42; and one, V e r m o n t ,
to $52. T w o States, Tennessee and W e s t V i r ginia, formerly a l l o w i n g a more generous a m o u n t ,
have dropped the m a x i m u m to $28.
53
54
Three State plans—those
of New M e x i c o ,
Oregon, and West V i r g i n i a — p r o h i b i t the g r a n t i n g
of other public a i d , except for t e m p o r a r y medical
and surgical assistance. I n West V i r g i n i a t h i s
restriction is accompanied b y a l i m i t a t i o n o n the
a m o u n t w h i c h m a y be granted as aid to dependent
children of $12 per m o n t h for the first c h i l d and
$8 per m o n t h for each a d d i t i o n a l c h i l d , b u t i n
New M e x i c o and Oregon no m a x i m u m a m o u n t is
specified.
Summary
of Changes,
1931-December
1937
Substantial
progress was made i n the methods
of a d m i n i s t e r i n g and financing p u b l i c aid to
dependent children i n t h e i r o w n homes between
1931 and December 1937.
A l l 38 States a d m i n istering aid t o dependent children under approved
plans i n December 1937 h a d , i n c o n f o r m i t y w i t h
requirements of the Social Security A c t , designated a single State agency t o administer the
program or to supervise the a d m i n i s t r a t i o n b y
local p o l i t i c a l subdivisions and h a d p r o v i d e d for
State financial p a r t i c i p a t i o n . T h i r t y - f i v e of these
t h i r t y - e i g h t States had mothers'-aid laws i n effect
in 1931. I n o n l y 16 States, however, was some
degree of supervisory or a d m i n i s t r a t i v e a u t h o r i t y
vested i n a State agency, and i n some States the
a u t h o r i t y vested was n o t exercised. State funds
were p r o v i d e d for the s u p p o r t of a p r o g r a m i n
behalf of dependent children i n o n l y 12 States.
55
56
The State plans i n effect i n December 1937 are
considerably more liberal t h a n the mothers'-aid
laws i n effect i n 36 of the same jurisdictions i n
1931 w i t h respect to the relatives who m a y receive
aid and the reasons for dependency of the children.
Under the plans of 35 States, aid m a y be granted
i n behalf of dependent children l i v i n g w i t h any of
the relatives enumerated under title I V of the
Social Security A c t ; only 4 State plans restrict
the relatives to w h o m aid m a y be granted to a
smaller group. I n 1931, 36 of the 39 jurisdictions
h a v i n g approved plans i n December 1937 had
mothers'-aid laws, b u t the laws of o n l y 15 States
expressly stated t h a t aid m i g h t be granted to persons other t h a n mothers.
The plans of 36 States provide for the g r a n t i n g
of aid for children w h o are dependent for any of
the reasons specified under title I V of the Social
Security A c t , t h a t is, less of parental support or
care because of the death, continued absence f r o m
the home, or physical or m e n t a l incapacity of a
parent. O n l y three State plans do n o t recognize
all of these reasons for dependency. I n 1931,
however, the mothers'-aid laws of only 15 States
included dependent children whose fathers were
dead, divorced, or h a d deserted t h e m ; whose
fathers were i n prison or were, because of physical
or m e n t a l incapacity, unable to support t h e m .
L i b e r a l i z a t i o n also has occurred w i t h respect
to the age l i m i t of children for w h o m aid m a y be
granted and the m a x i m u m a m o u n t allowable. A l l
jurisdictions w i t h approved plans p e r m i t the
g r a n t i n g of aid to dependent children a t least u n t i l
they are 16 years of age and a few States have a
higher age l i m i t . Between 1931 and 1937 the age
l i m i t was raised i n nine States and was lowered i n
four States. O n l y 19 States l i m i t the a m o u n t of
aid w h i c h m a y be granted i n behalf of dependent
children, whereas 30 of the 36 mothers'-aid laws
i n effect i n the same j u r i s d i c t i o n s i n 1931 specified
a m a x i m u m on the a m o u n t of g r a n t p e r m i t t e d .
F r o m 1931 t o 1937, the m a x i m u m a m o u n t
allowable to a f a m i l y of 3 children was either
raised or removed i n 19 States and was lowered or
a m a x i m u m was established i n 6 States.
Characteristics of Mothers'-Aid Laws in
Effect i n December 1937
I n December 1937, the 10 States n o t a d m i n i s tering aid to dependent children under the Social
Security A c t were: Connecticut, F l o r i d a , I l l i n o i s ,
I o w a , K e n t u c k y , Mississippi, N e v a d a , South
D a k o t a , Texas, and V i r g i n i a . These States,
however, had State laws a u t h o r i z i n g the administ r a t i o n of mothers' a i d .
T h e following description of mothers'-aid legislation i n effect i n December 1937 i n these States relates t o : (1) State
p a r t i c i p a t i o n , (2) local p a r t i c i p a t i o n , (3) persons
eligible for a i d , (4) ages of c h i l d r e n , and (5)
a m o u n t of g r a n t p e r m i t t e d .
57
State
Participation
I n 4 of the 10 States a State agency has some responsibility for the a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of the mothers'aid p r o g r a m , a l t h o u g h responsibility for direct
a d m i n i s t r a t i o n rests w i t h the State agency only in
Connecticut.
I n V i r g i n i a the State B o a r d of
Public Welfare is empowered to cooperate w i t h the
local courts and to supervise and direct c o u n t y or
c i t y boards of public welfare i n their a d m i n i s t r a tion of the p r o g r a m ; and i n K e n t u c k y , the D e p a r t m e n t of Welfare is authorized to organize and
supervise c o u n t y welfare departments for the
effective a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of welfare functions.
T h e I l l i n o i s D e p a r t m e n t of Public Welfare determines the a m o u n t needed by a c o u n t y to fulfill the
provisions of the mothers'-pension act and the
d i s t r i b u t i o n of the State equalization fund among
the counties. For this purpose, the State agency
m a y require c o u n t y officials to furnish such inform a t i o n as i t finds necessary, and counties are not
entitled to State aid unless they meet the standards
of a d m i n i s t r a t i o n set by the D e p a r t m e n t of Public
Welfare.
A l t h o u g h the State agencies i n these four States
are authorized b y s t a t u t e to p a r t i c i p a t e i n the
a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of other types of a i d , i n actual
practice the a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of mothers' aid is not
integrated a t the State level w i t h the other special
types of public assistance or general relief.
Three States—Connecticut, Illinois, and V i r g i n i a — p r o v i d e State funds for mothers' aid.
Responsibility for financing assistance payments in
Connecticut is d i v i d e d equally among the m u n i c i palities, the counties, and the State. T h e State
a p p r o p r i a t i o n i n Illinois is divided i n t o t w o funds.
T h e first f u n d , comprising 80 percent of the
a p p r o p r i a t i o n , is apportioned among the counties
on the basis of p o p u l a t i o n up to an a m o u n t n o t
exceeding 50 percent of local expenditures; and
the second f u n d , w h i c h includes any balances
f r o m the first f u n d plus the r e m a i n i n g 20 percent
of the a p p r o p r i a t i o n , is allocated to the counties
58
by the State D e p a r t m e n t of P u b l i c Welfare on the
basis of their needs and financial a b i l i t y to meet
such needs. I n V i r g i n i a , the local u n i t s and the
State each meet half the assistance payments.
Local
Participation
I n Connecticut the executive officer of a t o w n ,
city, or borough receives the application and
makes his recommendation t o the c o u n t y commissioners. The c o u n t y commissioners i n t u r n make
The Texas law is similar except t h a t the m e n t a l
incapacity provision includes only instances i n
which the father is i n a State hospital f o r the
insane.
A i d is restricted t o widows i n Connecti c u t ; i n I l l i n o i s a i d cannot be granted i n behalf
of children whose fathers are divorced f r o m their
mothers or are i m p r i s o n e d ; a n d i n I o w a desert i o n a n d divorce are n o t recognized as reasons f o r
g r a n t i n g mothers' a i d .
Persons other t h a n the
child's m o t h e r m a y receive aid i n his behalf under
the laws of five of these States.
60
61
Table 2,—Maximum
monthly
amount
allowable
family
with three dependent
children
under
mothers'-aid
laws in effect in December 1937
to a
State
1
Maximum
monthly
a m o u n t allowable
State
Connecticut
$66.08
Illinois:
Counties of over
300,000
Counties of less t h a n 300,000
Nevada
South D a k o t a
Florida
Iowa
Texas
population
population
55.00
35.00
55.00
42.50
41.00
32.50
27.00
The m o t h e r s ' - a i d l a w s o f K e n t u c k y , M i s s i s s i p p i , a n d V i r g i n i a d o n o t
specify
a m a x i m u m a m o u n t of assistance.
1
a recommendation to the State agency, w h i c h
renders the final decision as t o e l i g i b i l i t y , after
obtaining such a d d i t i o n a l i n f o r m a t i o n as i t deems
necessary. Local agencies have complete or m a j o r
responsibility for administering the program i n the
other nine States. I n four States, this f u n c t i o n
is performed b y the j u v e n i l e or c o u n t y courts, a n d
in t h r e e — F l o r i d a , Nevada, a n d T e x a s — b y the
county commissioners.
The Kentucky law a u thorizes the creation of c o u n t y welfare d e p a r t ments t o administer mothers' aid and other welfare
activities. T h e local agency i n V i r g i n i a is a c o u n t y
or c i t y board of public welfare or, where none
exists, the juvenile or other c o u r t h a v i n g j u r i s d i c tion of dependent and neglected
children.
59
Persons Eligible for Aid
Three State laws—these of Mississippi, Nevada,
and K e n t u c k y permit the g r a n t i n g of aid t o a n y
needy m o t h e r w i t h dependent children. I n three
other S t a t e s — F l o r i d a , South D a k o t a , a n d V i r ginia the mothers'-aid laws authorize the counties t o g r a n t a i d t o mothers whose husbands are
dead, divorced, imprisoned, w h o have deserted
them, or are physically or m e n t a l l y incapacitated.
Ages of
Children
A i d m a y be granted i n behalf of children u n t i l
they are 16 years of age i n a l l b u t 1 of the 10
States. The Kentucky l a w restricts the age
l i m i t t o 14 b u t specifies t h a t i t m a y be extended
to 16 years for children w h o have a satisfactory
record of school attendance o r are unable t o w o r k .
Under the same circumstances, the age l i m i t m a y
be extended beyond 16 i n N e v a d a ; i n F l o r i d a i t
m a y be extended i f some special reason exists.
The F l o r i d a l a w requires as a c o n d i t i o n of eligib i l i t y t h a t children of school age, physically a n d
m e n t a l l y qualified, m u s t a t t e n d school. The
I l l i n o i s l a w authorizes the c o n t i n u a t i o n of a i d
u n t i l the child's m a j o r i t y i f he is physically
incapacitated for w o r k .
Amount
of Grant
Permitted
The mothers'-aid laws of three S t a t e s — K e n t u c k y , Mississippi, and V i r g i n i a — d o n o t specify a
m a x i m u m a m o u n t of assistance w h i c h m a y be
granted b u t leave the d e t e r m i n a t i o n of the a m o u n t
entirely to the discretion of the local a d m i n i s t r a tive agency. T h e m a x i m u m m o n t h l y amounts
allowable t o families w i t h three dependent c h i l dren i n the other seven States are shown i n table 2.
These amounts range f r o m $27 i n Texas t o $66.08
i n Connecticut.
FOOTNOTES
1 Public aid for d e p e n d e n t children I n t h e i r o w n h o m e s p r o v i d e d from State
a n d l o c a l fund o n l y Is c a l l e d " m o t h e r s ' aid" I n accordance w i t h
terminology
m o s t c o m m o n l y u s e d I n State l a w s e n a c t e d p r i o r t o the p a s s a g e of the S o c i a l
S e c u r i t y A c t . S i m i l a r a i d p r o v i d e d f r o m Federal, State, and l o c a l f u n d s o r
f r o m F e d e r a l a n d State f u n d s u n d e r State p l a n s approved b y the S o c i a l
S e c u r i t y Board I s c a l l e d "aid to dependent c h i l d r e n " i n accordance w i t h t h e
t e r m i n o l o g y u s e d I n the S o c i a l S e c u r i t y A c t .
2 Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia,
Idaho, Indiana, Kansas,
Louisiana,
Maine,
M a r y l a n d , Massachusetts,
M i c h i g a n , M i n n e s o t a , M i s s o u r i , M o n t a n a , N e b r a s k a , New H a m p s h i r e , New
J e r s e y , New M e x i c o , New Y o r k , N o r t h C a r o l i n a , N o r t h
Dakota,
Ohio,
O k l a h o m a , O r e g o n . P e n n s y l v a n i a , Rhode I s l a n d , S o u t h C a r o l i n a ,
Tennessee,
Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and W y o m i n g . I n
M i s s o u r i F e d e r a l f u n d s were available I n October 1937, b u t n o p a y m e n t s
f r o m F e d e r a l f u n d s were made u n t i l J a n u a r y 1938.
3 S o c i a l S e c u r i t y B o a r d , B u r e a u of P u b l i c A s s i s t a n c e
Characteristics
State Plans for Aid to Dependent
Children,
December I, 1937.
32
of
4 A l l S t a t e s ( i n c l u d i n g t h e D i s t r i c t of C o l u m b i a ) w i t h a p p r o v e d p l a n s for
a i d t o dependent c h i l d r e n i n D e c e m b e r 1937 ( s e e f o o t n o t e 2) h a d m o t h e r s ' - a i d
l a w s i n 1031 except A l a b a m a , G e o r g i a , a n d S o u t h C a r o l i n a .
5 U . S. C h i l d r e n ' s B u r e a u .
1033.
Mothers'
Aid,
6 C o n n e c t i c u t , F l o r i d a , I l l i n o i s . Iowa,
South Dakota, Texas, a n d Virginia.
36
1931.
B u r e a u P u b l i c a t i o n 220,
Kentucky,
Mississippi,
Washington,
New
West
Hamp-
C o l o r a d o , D i s t r i c t of C o l u m b i a , G e o r g i a ,
M a r y l a n d , M o n t a n a , New H a m p s h i r e ,
D a k o t a , Oregon, P e n n s y l v a n i a , South
Virginia, Wyoming.
13 A l a b a m a , C a l i f o r n i a , C o l o r a d o , G e o r g i a , I n d i a n a , K a n s a s , L o u i s i a n a ,
M a r y l a n d , Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota,
Montana,
Nebraska,
New Y o r k , N o r t h
Carolina,
North D a k o t a , Ohio, Oregon, P e n n s y l v a n i a ,
South Carolina, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
D e l a w a r e , New H a m p s h i r e ,
Rhode
New
Jersey,
Rhode
Island,
Arkansas, Idaho, Missouri, N e w Mexico, Oklahoma,
Tennessee,
West
Virginia.
I n N e w Mexico, the State w a s a u t h o r i z e d t o a p p r o p r i a t e
State
funds b u t never d i d so.
17 D e l a w a r e , New H a m p s h i r e , New Mexico, T e n n e s s e e V e r m o n t .
18 A l a b a m a ,
Colorado,
Georgia, Indiana, K a n s a s , Louisiana, M a r y l a n d ,
Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, N e w Jersey, N e w Y o r k ,
North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, U t a h , Wisconsin.
19
Alabama, Colorado,
South Carolina.
51
52
Georgia,
20 K a n s a s , M a r y l a n d , M i c h i g a n ,
North Dakota, Utah.
Indiana,
Louisiana, N e w York,
Minnesota,
Montana,
North
Ohio,
Carolina,
21 I n New Jersey, t h e c o u n t y welfare b o a r d m a k e s the f i n a l d e c i s i o n u p o n
r e c o m m e n d a t i o n f r o m the State a g e n c y .
B e c a u s e of t h e v a r y i n g t y p e s of
l o c a l o r g a n i z a t i o n . I n M a s s a c h u s e t t s the final d e c i s i o n m a y be m a d e b y the
t o w n b o a r d of p u b l i c w e l f a r e f o l l o w i n g I t s o w n I n v e s t i g a t i o n o r b y t h e t o w n
b o a r d u p o n the r e c o m m e n d a t i o n of the t o w n
department
of p u b l i c
welfare;
a n d I n W i s c o n s i n , b y t h e l o c a l d e p a r t m e n t or b y t h e l o c a l b o a r d u p o n the
r e c o m m e n d a t i o n of the l o c a l d e p a r t m e n t .
22
California, N e b r a s k a , Oregon, P e n n s y l v a n i a , Washington,
Wyoming.
23 A r i z o n a , A r k a n s a s , D e l a w a r e , I d a h o , M a i n e , M i s s o u r i , N e w H a m p s h i r e ,
New Mexico, O k l a h o m a , Rhode I s l a n d , T e n n e s s e e V e r m o n t , W e s t V i r g i n i a .
24 A d m i n i s t r a t i v e e x p e n s e Is n o t i n c l u d e d I n t h i s d i s c u s s i o n . The d i v i s i o n
of f i n a n c i a l r e s p o n s i b i l i t y for assistance p a y m e n t s s p e c i f i e d i n t h e p l a n s of
some S t a t e s m a y d i f f e r f r o m the p e r c e n t a g e d i s t r i b u t i o n b y source of f u n d s
of n o t d i s b u r s e m e n t s for a i d t o d e p e n d e n t c h i l d r e n for the f i s c a l y e a r 1937-38.
S u c h d i f f e r e n c e s ore a t t r i b u t a b l e t o c h a n g e s i n p l a n s s u b s e q u e n t t o
December
1937 a n d t o v a r i a t i o n s I n f i n a n c i a l r e s p o n s i b i l i t y for t h a t p o r t i o n of p a y m e n t s
i n e x c e s s of $18 for the f i r s t c h i l d a n d $12 for e a c h additional c h i l d I n the s a m e
home a n d for p a y m e n t s for w h i c h F e d e r a l f u n d s m a y n o t be u s e d , s u c h a s
Theh o s p i t a l i z a t i o n , a n d b u r i a l s a n d payments
Kentucky
t h o s e for medical care,
I n b e h a l f of
dependent
c h i l d r e n 16 y e a r s of age a n d o v e r .
58
47
2/3
25 L o c a l s h a r e i n M a i n e , New Y o r k , a n d V e r m o n t , 50 p e r c e n t ; W i s c o n s i n ,
percent.
I n K a n s a s , the p r o p o r t i o n m a y v a r y b u t the State m a y pay u p
to 20 p e r c e n t .
26 A l a b a m a , C o l o r a d o ,
Delaware,
Louisiana, Massachusetts,
Minnesota,
M o n t a n a , New Jersey, N o r t h C a r o l i n a , N o r t h D a k o t a , O r e g o n , P e n n s y l vania, Rhode Island, Wyoming.
27 A r i z o n a , A r k a n s a s , M i s s o u r i , N e b r a s k a , New H a m p s h i r e ,
Oklahoma, South Carolina, West Virginia.
59
Pennsylvania.
34 A r i z o n a . A r k a n s a s , C o l o r a d o , D e l a w a r e , D i s t r i c t of C o l u m b i a , G e o r g i a
Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts'
M i c h i g a n , M i n n e s o t a , M o n t a n a , N e w J e r s e y , New M e x i c o , North C a r o l i n a '
N o r t h D a k o t a , Ohio, O k l a h o m a , Oregon,
Pennsylvania,
Tennessee,
West
Virginia,
Wyoming.
New
Mexico,
28 G e o r g i a , 56 2/3 p e r c e n t ; I n d i a n a , 40 p e r c e n t ; M a r y l a n d , 53 1/3 p e r c e n t ;
T e n n e s s e e 60 p e r c e n t ; U t a h . 51 2/3 p e r c e n t .
I n M i c h i g a n the c o s t of a s s i s t a n c e , o t h e r t h a n t h e F e d e r a l s h a r e , I s borne b y t h e S t a t e e x c e p t for t h a t p o r t i o n
of a l l o w a n c e s I n e x c e s s of $18 for the first c h i l d a n d $12 for e a c h a d d i t i o n a l
c h i l d I n t h e same home, w h i c h I s s h a r e d b y the c o u n t i e s a n d the S t a t e
29 C a l i f o r n i a , I d a h o , O h i o ,
Washington.
30 C h i l d r e n ' s B u r e a u , o p . cit., p p . 6 - 6 . A r i z o n a , C a l i f o r n i a , D e l a w a r e ,
M a i n e , M a s s a c h u s e t t s , New H a m p s h i r e
New
Jersey,
North Carolina,
P e n n s y l v a n i a , Rhode I s l a n d , V e r m o n t , W i s c o n s i n .
31 C a l i f o r n i a , M i n n e s o t a ,
N e w Hampshire,
New
Jersey,
Maryland, Minnesota,
New
Pennsylvania.
New
York, North
Hampshire,
New
Jersey
Dakota.
38 I b i d . , p . 3. A i d t o f a m i l i e s I n w h i c h the f a t h e r w a s I n c a p a c i t a t e d w a s
available
u n d e r a n u m b e r of d i f f e r e n t c o n d i t i o n s I n 17 S t a t e s , a n d I n 3 S t a t e s
( I d a h o , O k l a h o m a , P e n n s y l v a n i a ) i t w a s l i m i t e d to families I n w h i c h the
father w a s I n a n i n s t i t u t i o n .
39 I b i d . , p . 3.
Pennsylvania.
40 I b i d . , p . 3.
California, Idaho, M a r y l a n d , Montana, Oklahoma,
Oregon,
Arizona, M a r y l a n d , Pennsylvania, Vermont, West Virginia,
41 A r i z o n a , C a l i f o r n i a , D e l a w a r e
Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania,
Wyoming.
D i s t r i c t of C o l u m b i a , K a n s a s ,
Washington, West Virginia.
Maine,
Massachusetts,
Rhode I s l a n d , V e r m o n t ,
Michigan,
North
Minnesota,
Wisconsin,
Carolina,
43 A r i z o n a , G e o r g i a , I d a h o , I n d i a n a , L o u i s i a n a , M a r y l a n d ,
New Jersey, New Y o r k , N o r t h D a k o t a , O r e g o n , P e n n s y l v a n i a ,
Utah, Wyoming.
Oregon,
Minnesota,
Tennessee,
C h i l d r e n ' s B u r e a u , o p . cit., p . 4.
45 K a n s a s , N o r t h C a r o l i n a , O k l a h o m a ,
Island, Vermont.
15 A r i z o n a , D e l a w a r e M a i n e , New H a m p s h i r e ,
Vermont.
16
Jersey,
37 C h i l d r e n ' s B u r e a u , o p . cit., p . 3. C o l o r a d o , D i s t r i c t of C o l u m b i a , I n d i a n a , K a n s a s , Maine, Massachusetts, M i c h i g a n , M i s s o u r i , N e b r a s k a , New
Hampshire
New
Mexico,
North Carolina,
Rhode
Island, Washington,
Wisconsin.
Massachusetts,
12 A r i z o n a , A r k a n s a s , D e l a w a r e I d a h o , Maine, M i s s o u r i , N e w H a m p s h i r e
New J e r s e y , New M e x i c o , O k l a h o m a , Rhode I s l a n d , T e n n e s s e e V e r m o n t ,
West Virginia.
14
46
New
8 Arkansas, Georgia, K a n s a s , M a i n e ,
Virginia.
11 A l a b a m a , A r i z o n a , A r k a n s a s ,
Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine,
New M e x i c o , New Y o r k , N o r t h
Utah, Washington, West
Carolina,
44
Hampshire,
35 D i s t r i c t of C o l u m b i a , M a s s a c h u s e t t s ,
New Y o r k , O h i o , V e r m o n t , W i s c o n s i n .
A l a b a m a , A r i z o n a , A r k a n s a s , C a l i f o r n i a , C o l o r a d o , D i s t r i c t of C o l u m bia, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, K a n s a s , Louisiana, Maine, M a r y l a n d , M i n n e s o t a , M o n t a n a , N e b r a s k a , New H a m p s h i r e , N e w Jersey, New M e x i c o ,
New Y o r k , N o r t h D a k o t a , O h i o , O k l a h o m a , O r e g o n , P e n n s y l v a n i a , S o u t h
Carolina,
Tennessee,
Utah, Wisconsin, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming.
42
New
7 Idaho, Ohio,
Rhode
Island, Tennessee, Vermont.
In
Tennessee
the
c o m m i s s i o n e r of i n s t i t u t i o n s a n d p u b l i c welfare m a y , w i t h t h e c o n s e n t of the
Governor, appoint a n advisory committee.
9 T h i s s i t u a t i o n e x i s t s i n the S t a t e s of M a i n e , M a s s a c h u s e t t s ,
s h i r e , New J e r s e y , O h i o , Rhode I s l a n d , a n d V e r m o n t .
10
Nevada,
Minnesota,
33 C h i l d r e n ' s B u r e a u , o n . cit., p . 3. C a l i f o r n i a , C o l o r a d o , D e l a w a r e , D i s t r i c t of C o l u m b i a , I d a h o , L o u i s i a n a , M i n n e s o t a . Nebraska, N e w H a m p s h i r e
New Jersey, New Mexico, New Y o r k , Rhode I s l a n d , V i r g i n i a , W i s c o n s i n !
Maryland,
New
Mexico,
Wyoming.
Oregon, Rhode Island, West Virginia.
47 A l a b a m a , A r k a n s a s , C a l i f o r n i a , D e l a w a r e . D i s t r i c t of C o l u m b i a , G e o r g i a ,
Kansas,
Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts.
Michigan,
Montana,
New
M e x i c o , New Y o r k , O h i o , O r e g o n , Rhode I s l a n d , U t a h , W a s h i n g t o n , W i s consin.
48 A r i z o n a , C o l o r a d o , I d a h o , M a r y l a n d . M i s s o u r i , N e b r a s k a , N e w H a m p shire, N o r t h C a r o l i n a . N o r t h D a k o t a , O k l a h o m a , P e n n s y l v a n i a , W y o m i n g .
49 C h i l d r e n ' s B u r e a u , o p . cit., p . 5.
Idaho.
Kansas, Michigan. Missouri,
50 A r k a n s a s , C a l i f o r n i a , D e l a w a r e ,
Montana, Nebraska, N e w Hampshire, N e w
Mexico,
N e w York, North
Carolina, Ohio, O k l a h o m a , Oregon, U t a h , Vermont, Washington.
Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, M a r y l a n d , Tennessee, West Virginia.
D i s t r i c t of C o l u m b i a . L o u i s i a n a , M a i n e , M a s s a c h u s e t t s , M i n n e s o t a , N o r t h
D a k o t a , P e n n s y l v a n i a , Rhode I s l a n d , W i s c o n s i n , W y o m i n g .
53 Arkansas, C a l i f o r n i a , D e l a w a r e , K a n s a s , M i c h i g a n , M o n t a n a ,
New
Mexico. Ohio, Oregon, U t a h , Washington.
N e w Y o r k , w h i c h Is n o t I n c l u d e d in t a b l e 1, h a d n o m a x i m u m I n 1937 b u t h a d o n e i n 1931.
54 A r k a n s a s , D e l a w a r e , I d a h o , O k l a h o m a , V e r m o n t ,
Washington.
55 H e r e " S t a t e s " Is u s e d I n t h e s t r i c t s e n s e a n d d o e s n o t I n c l u d e the D i s t r i c t
of C o l u m b i a a n d H a w a i i .
56 A r i z o n a , C a l i f o r n i a , D e l a w a r e ,
Maine,
Massachusetts,
Minnesota,
Missouri, N e w H a m p s h i r e N e w Jersey, N e w Y o r k , North Carolina, North
D a k o t a , P e n n s y l v a n i a , Rhode I s l a n d , V e r m o n t , a n d W i s c o n s i n .
57 B y D e c e m b e r 1937, F l o r i d a , I o w a . S o u t h D a k o t a , a n d T e x a s had e n a c t e d
l e g i s l a t i o n p e r t a i n i n g t o d e p e n d e n t c h i l d r e n I n a d d i t i o n to the m o t h e r s ' - a i d
l a w s hero d i s c u s s e d ; b u t , for v a r i o u s r e a s o n s , these l a w s w e r e inoperative and
a r e t h e r e f o r e n o t I n c l u d e d I n t h i s d i s c u s s i o n . N o r d o c s the d i s c u s s i o n I n c l u d e a d e s c r i p t i o n of t h e S t a t e l a w s I n M i c h i g a n , N e b r a s k a , O k l a h o m a , and
T e n n e s s e e u n d e r w h i c h m o t h e r s ' a i d f r o m l o c a l f u n d s Is a d m i n i s t e r e d c o n c u r r e n t l y w i t h o l d t o d e p e n d e n t c h i l d r e n u n d e r a State p l a n a p p r o v e d b y the
Social Security B o a r d .
l a w a u t h o r i z i n g e a c h c o u n t y to e s t a b l i s h a
mothers'-aid
f u n d p r o v i d e d for the c r e a t i o n of a S t a t e a g e n c y , the K e n t u c k y C h i l d r e n ' s
B u r e a u , t o s u p e r v i s e the a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of m o t h e r s ' a i d a n d o t h e r f u n c t i o n s
of c o u n t y c h i l d r e n ' s b u r e a u s c r e a t e d b y the s a m e l a w .
T h e State agency w a s
a b o l i s h e d a n d I t s p o w e r s t r a n s f e r r e d to a S t a t e D e p a r t m e n t of P u b l i c
Welfare
I n 1034; I n 1030. the D e p a r t m e n t of P u b l i c Welfare w a s a b o l i s h e d a n d I t s
p o w e r s t r a n s f e r r e d t o the D e p a r t m e n t of Welfare w h i c h e x e r c i s e s a l l a d m i n i s t r a t i v e f u n c t i o n s of the S t a t e i n r e l a t i o n to " t h e a d m i n i s t r a t i o n a n d superv i s i o n of a l l f o r m s of p u b l i c a s s i s t a n c e . . . I n c l u d i n g o l d to dependent c h i l d r e n " . . . a n d the " p r o v i s i o n of welfare service to c o u n t y
governments.
I n c l u d i n g the o r g a n i z a t i o n a n d s u p e r v i s i o n of c o u n t y w e l f a r e d e p a r t m e n t s
for the effective a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of w e l f a r e f u n c t i o n s . . . "
I n December
1937, m o t h e r s ' a i d w a s a d m i n i s t e r e d I n t w o c o u n t i e s u n d e r the p r o v i s i o n s
discussed In this section.
I n a n u m b e r of o t h e r c o u n t i e s t h e S t o l e D e p a r t m e n t
of Welfare a d m i n i s t e r e d a i d t o d e p e n d e n t c h i l d r e n a s a d e m o n s t r a t i o n p r o g r a m u n d e r d i f f e r e n t c o n d i t i o n s of e l i g i b i l i t y w i t h F e d e r a l f u n d s
made
a v a i l a b l e for c h i l d - w e l f a r e s e r v i c e s .
Illinois, I o w a , Mississippi, South D a k o t a .
60 The I o w a l a w d e f i n e s " w i d o w " t o I n c l u d e a n y m o t h e r whose h u s b a n d i s
a n inmate of a n y I n s t i t u t i o n u n d e r the care of the State B o a r d of C o n t r o l
w h i l e h e r h u s b a n d i s so c o n f i n e d .
61 F l o r i d a , K e n t u c k y , M i s s i s s i p p i , S o u t h D a k o t a , V i r g i n i a .