Need determination in AFDC program.

This study summarizes the State policy with respect to the determination of need in the Federal-State program of AFDC. The areas discussed are the individual State definitions of need, the content of need standard, the types of persons included in the payment, the amount of income and resources allowed recipient families, the method of determining need, and a comparison of State food allowances with the Department of Agriculture cost figures. The cumulative effect of these policies on payments is also explored. The information in the report is based on data assembled for the biennial report of program plan characteristics early in 1978.