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Gilliard; U.S. v.

Facts

This litigation began in 1970 when the federal statute did not require that all parents and siblings be included in an AFDC filing unit. Beaty Mae Gilliard, a named class member, began receiving public assistance in 1962. After the birth of her seventh child, the State included him in the filing unit, which increased her benefits. However, when she began receiving child support from the child's father, her benefits were reduced. Gilliard sued, claiming she had a right to exclude her child from the unit to maintain her benefits.

This litigation began in 1970 when the federal statute did not require that all parents and siblings be included in an AFDC filing unit. Beaty Mae Gilliard, a named class member, began receiving public assistance in 1962. After the birth of her seventh child, the State included him in the filing unit, which increased her benefits. However, when she began receiving child support from the child's father, her benefits were reduced. Gilliard sued, claiming she had a right to exclude her child from the unit to maintain her benefits.

Issue

Whether the requirement that a family wishing to receive AFDC benefits must include a child for whom child support payments are being made by a noncustodial parent violates the Fifth Amendment.

Whether the requirement that a family wishing to receive AFDC benefits must include a child for whom child support payments are being made by a noncustodial parent violates the Fifth Amendment.

Rule

The Fifth Amendment does not provide a right to welfare benefits, and the government has the authority to make rational economic choices regarding the distribution of benefits.

The Fifth Amendment does not provide a right to welfare benefits, and the government has the authority to make rational economic choices regarding the distribution of benefits.

Analysis

The Court applied the rule by determining that the law served a rational purpose of reducing government spending and ensuring that resources were allocated to the most needy families. The inclusion of all family members in the filing unit was justified as it reflected the actual home situation and the shared expenses of the family.

The Court applied the rule by determining that the law served a rational purpose of reducing government spending and ensuring that resources were allocated to the most needy families. The inclusion of all family members in the filing unit was justified as it reflected the actual home situation and the shared expenses of the family.

Conclusion

The judgment that a new welfare law was unconstitutional was reversed. The law served a rational governmental purpose of insuring that limited resources went to the most needy.

The judgment that a new welfare law was unconstitutional was reversed. The law served a rational governmental purpose of insuring that limited resources went to the most needy.

Who won?

The prevailing party was the state and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, as the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the law requiring the inclusion of all family members in the AFDC filing unit.

The prevailing party was the state and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, as the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the law requiring the inclusion of all family members in the AFDC filing unit.

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