Burns, Commissioner, Department of Social Services of Iowa, et al. v. Alcala et al.

Decided March 18, 1975. Lewis Franklin Powell Jr. delivered the opinion of the Court.

Docket 73-1708 · 420 U.S. 575 (1975) · Cited 241 times

Holding

The term 'dependent child,' as so defined, does not include unborn children, and hence States receiving federal financial aid under the AFDC program are not required to offer welfare benefits to pregnant women for their unborn children.

The Court’s statement of the holding, from the opinion’s syllabus. The syllabus is prepared by the Reporter of Decisions and is not part of the opinion of the Court — read the official opinion for authority.

How the Justices voted

Decided 7–1.

“Concurring” means agreeing with the outcome; any split shown is the Court’s judgment, not each Justice’s reasoning. Source: the Supreme Court Database (Spaeth et al.), Washington University.

Precedents cited

Supreme Court decisions this opinion relies on, ordered by how often it cites each. Cases in our collection link through; others are named.

• Carleson v. Remillard · 406 U.S. 598 (1972)
• King v. Smith · 392 U.S. 309 (1968)
• Townsend v. Swank · 404 U.S. 282 (1971)
• Hagans v. Lavine · 415 U.S. 528 (1974)
• Phelps Dodge Corp. v. National Labor Relations Board · 313 U.S. 177 (1941)
• New York State Department of Social Services v. Dublino · 413 U.S. 405 (1973)
• Federal Trade Commission v. Ruberoid Co. · 343 U.S. 470 (1952)
• Banks v. Chicago Grain Trimmers Assn., Inc. · 390 U.S. 459 (1968)
• Federal Maritime Board v. Isbrandtsen Co. · 356 U.S. 481 (1958)
• Burnet v. Chicago Portrait Co. · 285 U.S. 1 (1932)

Cited by

Later Supreme Court opinions in our collection that cite this case.

• Philbrook v. Glodgett · 421 U.S. 707 (1975)
• Miller v. Youakim · 440 U.S. 125 (1979)
• Chapman v. Houston Welfare Rights Organization · 441 U.S. 600 (1979)
• Perrin v. United States · 444 U.S. 37 (1979)
• Batterton v. Francis · 432 U.S. 416 (1977)
• Summit Valley Industries, Inc. v. Local 112, United Brotherhood of Carpenters · 456 U.S. 717 (1982)

Official text

Read the official opinion (U.S. Reports, govinfo.gov)

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Lewis Franklin Powell Jr.’s profile · All Supreme Court opinions · The Supreme Court

Source: Supreme Court of the United States, slip opinions (1975). Citation count from the Free Law Project’s CourtListener bulk data. Data last verified 2026-07-03. Informational only; verify against the primary source before relying. Not a consumer report (FCRA).