Public assistance: Distribution of payments, by amount, for each type of assistance,

September 1958

Senator MORSE. When Mr. Shea, Director of the Department of Public Welfare, appears before us, I would like the answers to the following questions: Can a mother and one or two children exist in health and decency in Washington, D.C., in 1959 on $70 a month? What rent would the hypothetical family of this type have to pay? What will be left for clothes and food? How many children are involved in categories other than aid to dependent children and child welfare such as general assistance, aid to disabled, or possibly grandchildren under the old-age assistance program? Are the children referred to in the last question eligible for the lunches to be provided under the District program for needy children?

Mr. Lee, I would like to have you supply Mr. Shea with those questions, because I want to save as much time as we can in these hearings. We can't possibly finish this morning. The hearing will have to adjourn promptly at 12 o'clock, and then we'll have to set another date for further hearings on the question.

With the questions that I am instructing Mr. Lee to supply Mr. Shea, I want to insert in the record a table entitled "Aid to Dependent Children: Recipients and Payments to Recipients, by State, December 1958." For comparison purposes, I want to put in the record a chart entitled "Aid to Dependent Children, Monthly Cost Standards for Basic Needs for Family Consisting of Mother, 35; Boy, 14; Girl, 9; and Girl, 4; and Usual Monthly Maximum on Monthly Payments to Such a Family Selected by Various States-California, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Virginia, Texas, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.” I think Mr. Shea can be particularly helpful, Mr. Lee, if you supply him this material in advance so that he can give the committee the information we need.

(The material referred to is as follows:)

TABLE 3.-Aid to dependent children: Recipients and payments to recipients, by State, December 19581—Continued

1 For definition of terms see the Bulletin, October 1957, p. 18. All data subject to
revision.

* Includes as recipients the children and 1 parent or other adult relative in families in which the requirement of at least 1 such adult were considered in determining the amount of assistance.

In addition, supplemental payments were made from general assistance funds to an
unknown number of families.

In addition, $1,699 in special grants was paid to families for the month of December

only.

Aid to dependent children: Monthly cost standards for basic needs for family consisting of mother (35) only, boy (14), girl (9), and girl (4), and usual monthly maximum on money payments to such a family, selected States, July 1958

1 Fixed amounts, maximums, or amounts considered necessary; water charges included with rent. Represents smaller of: (1) Legal or administrative maximum; or (2) amount payable to family of specified composition without income other than assistance, if a different type of limitation on payments is applicable.

Income of $146.91-83 percent of specified total precludes eligibility for assistance. (83% limitation removed by commissoners September 1, 1958 after which 100% of need allowed.)

• Exclusive of heat which is included in rent.

NOTE.-Preliminary-subject to revision. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Social Security Administration, Bureau of Public Assistance, Division of Program Statistics and Analysis, Mar. 3, 1959.

Senator MORSE. I also want to put in the record some more material for the witnesses to have available to them. As of December 1958, the table that I am now inserting in the record indicates a higher average per person grant of aid to dependent children funds in 20 States and Territories, than that given in the District of Columbia. The District average payment, according to this table, to recipients is $33.45 per month, and 20 States have higher payments than that. I insert the table in the record at this point, and suggest that Mr. Shea be prepared to comment on it.

(The table referred to is as follows:)

NOTE. As of December 1958, table 3 indicates a higher average per person grant of aid to dependent children funds in 20 States and Territories than that given in the District.

The District average payment to a recipient is $33.45 per month.
The States and Territory having higher payments per recipient are:

Senator MORSE. Next, by way of an introduction to this hearing, so that the witnesses can be of greatest help to us by preparing themselves to comment on the problems that I raise, that there has been

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