Debtor relationships in the public assistance programs of the states

Abstract

In general no arbitrarily established income line can be drawn in order to determine when, and to what extent, a legally responsible relative should be required to give to a needy recipient. The answers to these questions can be determined only in terms of the facts of each individual case. It must be remembered that under normal conditions recipients either have to live with or to associate with their relatives. Relatives should be encourage to do what they can, rather than to be reminded of a compulsory support law. The exemption principle with regard to the amount of property a recipient may own without having it subject to recovery provisions is recommended. Each state should determine through its own legislation the maximum value of the property--real and personal--which should be exempted from any form of recovery.