October Term 2002 · Docket 01-1420

Can States Claim Unused Social Security Benefits for Disabled Children?

Washington seeks to keep federal funds for child care. The estate argues the money belongs to the child.

Official caption
Washington State Dept. of Social and Health Servs. v. Guardianship Estate of Keffeler
Latest argument session
Latest official Court activity
Latest verified event
Argued
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Official Transcript

Verified source milestones

  1. — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
  2. — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.

The arguments, in order

This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.

  1. Argument 1 ·

    What happened at the argument

    Ms. Millett stated using benefits for maintenance is permitted.

    Ms. Roseborough argued the state benefits from the funds.

    Ms. Gregoire represented the sides that brought the case in the case.

    Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details

    Sources used for this argument breakdown

A citizen's guide to the whole case

What this case is about

Washington wants to retain federal benefits for child care. The estate wants the funds for the child's needs.

Official sources for this section

How the case got here

The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on December 3, 2002.

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What each side wants

Washington wants to keep the funds for child care.

The estate wants the funds for the child's needs.

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What each side says

Washington argues the state benefits from using the funds.

The estate argues the funds belong to the child.

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What the justices asked

Justice Stevens asked about the advocate's name.

Justice Stevens closed the argument session.

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Why it matters

This case defines who controls federal child benefits. It affects state budgets and child welfare funding.

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What happens next

This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.

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Official Court provenance

Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page

Title and summary sources

Revision history

  1. Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·

    Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.

  2. Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·

    Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.

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