Ledbetter v. Baldwin

Justice Powell, Circuit Justice.

Applicant in this case is the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Human Resources. He promulgated regulations implementing 42 U. S. C. §602(a)(38) (1982 ed., Supp. III). That section alters the requirements for state plans distributing grants under the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program. Generally, §602(a)(38) requires the States, in determining a family’s need for AFDC payments, to consider child support payments made to certain children living with the family. Respondents filed suit in the United States District Court for the…