Supreme Court of the United States
Townsend v. Swank
December 20, 1971404 U.S. 282
Summary
The Supreme Court reversed the district court, holding that Illinois's statute and regulation excluding college‑going 18‑ to 20‑year‑old children from AFDC benefits conflict with §406(a)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act and are therefore invalid under the Supremacy Clause; the Court did not reach the equal‑protection claim. Justice Burger concurred in the result, emphasizing that Title IV compliance, not a mandatory Supremacy‑Clause requirement, is the proper inquiry.
Holding
- Whether Illinois's exclusion of college‑attending 18‑ to 20‑year‑old children from AFDC benefits violates the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution.. The Illinois statute and regulation conflict with §406(a)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act and are invalid under the Supremacy Clause.
Docket 70-5021
Cited authorities
- 28 U.S.C. § 2284
- 42 U.S.C. § 606
- 42 U.S.C. § 601
- 49 Stat. 629
- 53 Stat. 1380
- 70 Stat. 850
- 78 Stat. 1042
- 42 U.S.C. § 401
Cited by
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- Glenn Young v. Department of Social Welfare
- Kerry P. DAY, Rhett G. Campbell, Richard D. Hugg, Peter H. Luke, Paul M. Scott, James A. Therhune on behalf of…
- Ruth Parks v. Richard Harden
- Angela Barrett, a Minor Child, Through Her Guardian Lucila Hollander
- Kerry P. DAY, Rhett G. Campbell, Richard D. Huff, Peter H. Luke, Paul M. Scott, James A. Terhune