Wyman v. James
United States Supreme Court
400 U.S. 309 (1971)
- Written by Robert Cane, JD
Facts
New York conditioned the receipt of welfare benefits under the Aid to Families With Dependent Children (AFDC) program upon a home visit conducted by social services. The home visits were conducted by caseworkers, not law-enforcement officers, and program recipients were given advance notice of visits. The purpose of the visits was to ensure funds were dispensed properly. Barbara James (plaintiff), a single mother of an infant, applied for and was granted AFDC benefits after a social-services employee visited her home. Two years later, social services attempted to conduct a biannual home visit of James’s home, which was a requirement for the continuation of benefits. James repeatedly refused requests to permit a home visit. James offered to participate in an interview somewhere other than her home. After a hearing, social services terminated James’s benefits because James would not consent to a home visit. James filed a lawsuit, alleging a denial of her Fourth Amendment rights, among a number of other claims. The lower court ruled in favor of James. New York social services (defendant) appealed to the United States Supreme Court.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Blackmun, J.)
Dissent (Marshall, J.)
Dissent (Douglas, J.)
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