Jefferson v. Hackney

406 U.S. 535 (1972)

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Jefferson v. Hackney

United States Supreme Court
406 U.S. 535 (1972)

  • Written by Robert Cane, JD

Facts

Texas applied a different percentage-reduction factor to public-welfare-assistance payouts based on which categorical assistance program was providing the benefits. Aid for the aged was paid out at 100 percent, aid for the disabled and blind was paid out at 95 percent, and the Aid to Families With Dependent Children (AFDC) program was paid out at 75 percent. The AFDC recipients were a higher proportion Black or Mexican-American than recipients of aid under the other programs. The welfare officials did not know the racial demographics of the benefit recipients of each program when making their decisions. The reduction factors were challenged in the district court for violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The case was appealed to United States Supreme Court, which granted certiorari.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Rehnquist, J.)

Dissent (Marshall, J.)

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