Supreme Court of the United States

Califano v. Jobst

November 8, 1977434 U.S. 47

Summary

The Supreme Court held that Congress may constitutionally require termination of a dependent child's Social Security benefits upon marriage, even when the spouse is permanently disabled, and that the 1958 amendment creating an exception for marriages between beneficiaries is a valid classification. The Court reversed the district court and found the statute does not violate the Fifth Amendment’s Due Process Clause.

Holding

  • Whether the statutory rule terminating a child’s benefit upon marriage violates the Fifth Amendment’s Due Process (equal protection) clause.. The general rule terminating benefits upon marriage is a valid exercise of congressional power and does not violate the Fifth Amendment.
  • Whether the 1958 amendment’s limited exception for marriages between beneficiaries is an unconstitutional classification.. The 1958 amendment’s exception is a permissible, rational classification and does not violate the Fifth Amendment.
  • Whether the existence of Supplemental Security Income benefits for the spouses affects the constitutional analysis of the termination rule.. The Supplemental Security Income program is irrelevant to the constitutional analysis of the termination rule.

Docket 76-860

Cited authorities

  • 42 U.S.C. §§401-432
  • 42 U.S.C. §§ 402
  • 28 U.S.C. § 1262
  • 49 Stat. 622
  • 53 Stat. 1362
  • 53 Stat. 1364
  • 53 Stat. 1364
  • 72 Stat. 1030

Cited by

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