McCheyne v. Tompkins County Department of Social Services

OPINION OF THE COURT

Mercure, J.

Plaintiff is a 33-year-old woman with three dependent children. Since 1974, plaintiffs sole source of income has been Aid to Families with Dependent Children and related programs. Plaintiffs mother and father each died intestate during a six-month period in 1987. In. each case, plaintiff promptly notified defendant of her parent’s death and of the possibility that she would receive a distribution from the estate.

In August 1986, the State Department of Social Services sent an administrative directive to all local districts advising them of a stipulation entered…