Aid to families with dependent children: an overview, October 1977

In 1977, reorganization of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare brought together in the Social Security Administration three major income-maintenance system--old age, survivors, and disability insurance; supplemental security income; and aid to families with dependent children. These are distinct and separate programs differing in purpose and in methods of financing and administration but often serving different members of the same household. The Federal-State program for aid to families with dependent children program (AFDC) is a grant-in-aid program and in many ways reflects the local policies in the 54 States and jurisdictions in both administration and levels of payments. This article outlines its national structure and variations in the program and describes how this cash assistance program operates to provide income for more than 11.2 million needy recipients in 3.6 million families, including almost 8 million children. In May 1977, program payments totaled about $840 million a month.