Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1937-02-10

Perhaps no legislation in American
history has aroused such universal
interest and affects so man indivi-
duals as the Social Security Act pass
ed by the last Congress. From the
very first it was, and is now, an ex-
pertinent in meeting one Of the most
pressing problems of the age = the
problem of enabling workers to build
annuities toward the day when they
are beyond the age of profitable en-
ployment, unemployment insurance
and equally as important, to extend
aid to the needy aged, to the blind
and to dependent children.
Obviously, no Legislation of such
scope could be perfect in all it's de-
tails. Actual administration has de-
veloped loopholes and weaknesses.
More will be found and corrected.
Legal battles may be anticipated, par
t;cularly with regard to those phases
of the act pertaining to retirement
annuities and unemployment insur-
ance. Out of it all will come a strong
er and better plan for the future.
But the public assistance features
Of the Act, aid for the needy, aged,
the blind and dependent children are
already firmly established. These fea-
lures are based on the longstanding
principle of Federal-aid to the states.
The Federal Government is giving the
machinery and funds to help the
states aid their needy. The states
themselves, through states laws, must
put the machinery in motion. The
State of North Carolina is at the mo-
ment engaged in the effort to write
it's law, in accord with minimum Fed
eral requirements, and raise the nee
essary State funds to match Federal
moneys.
In the brief space of this article, l
shall endeavor to answer few of the
many questions that have come to me
with regard to one phase of the act
that which relates to assistance for
aged persons who aren eedy. One
question stands out.
Why must we have at this late date
some form of Federal assistance for
aged persons who are needy One
The answer is simple. In bygone days
families were compact unit, with
sometimes as many as three or four
generations living together or at close
CALL Family resources were pooled
and the younger generations cared
for those belonging to the older. To-
day families are scattered. Respon-
sibilities are heavier. Modern life has
become more complex. AS a result
many responsible persons, millions in
fact, through no fault of their own,
are, at the twilight of life, in dire
circumstances. States cannot solve
the problem alone.
What is meant by aid for the aged
needy? Cash payments by the state
, to aged persons who are in need, and
! whose applications for assistance are
approved by the state.
What is the basis of Federal par
ticipation? When a state has written
into law an approved plan for aid to
the aged needy the Federal Govern
ment makes grants equal to one-half
of the total expenditures of the state
or it's subdivisions. However, Federal
contributions may not apply to any
monthly payments exceeding $50.
Thus, if the State of North Carolina
provides SIS per month, for example,
the Federal government adds another
SIS, and the beneficiary receives $780,
Federal grants may not be used in
making payments to persons under 65
or to inmates of public institutions.
Who is eligible? All persons who
meet the requirements fixed by the
State law.
What are the requirements as to
age, citizenship and residence? Until
January 1, 1910, a State law NAV re-
quire that an applicant be as much
as 70 years of age; after that date no
State law may impose an age REQUIRE
ment in excess of IS years. which is
the. generally approved minimum age
No citizen of the United States NAV
be excluded on the grounds that his
or her citizenship is not of long
enough standing. No one who has.
been. a resident of State for five ont
of the nine years preceding applica-
ton, and who has lived in the State
continuously for the year immediately
before applying, may be denied assis-
lance on the ground that thew have
not lived in the state long enough.
What provisions with reference m
property held by beneficiary? States