PRIA Logo™
Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-110

§610 Appeal of Adverse Decision

Title 42 › CHAPTER 7 — SOCIAL SECURITY › SUBCHAPTER IV — GRANTS TO STATES FOR AID AND SERVICES TO NEEDY FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AND FOR CHILD-WELFARE SERVICES › Part A — Block Grants to States for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families › § 610

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

When the Secretary takes an adverse action against a State under this part, the Secretary must tell the State's top official (for example, the governor) within 5 days. The notice must include actions about the State plan or the imposition of a penalty. The State has 60 days after getting that notice to appeal all or part of the action to the Departmental Appeals Board by filing an appeal. The Board will review documents the State files and any other evidence it needs, do a full review, and issue a final decision at least 60 days after the appeal is filed. If the State disagrees with the Board's final decision, it has 90 days to sue in federal district court (either where the State agency's main office is or in D.C.). The court reviews the Board's decision using the record from the Board and the review standards in section 706(2) of title 5.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §610

The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In general
Within 5 days after the date the Secretary takes any adverse action under this part with respect to a State, the Secretary shall notify the chief executive officer of the State of the adverse action, including any action with respect to the State plan submitted under section 602 of this title or the imposition of a penalty under section 609 of this title.
(b)Administrative review
(1)In general
Within 60 days after the date a State receives notice under subsection (a) of an adverse action, the State may appeal the action, in whole or in part, to the Departmental Appeals Board established in the Department of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the “Board”) by filing an appeal with the Board.
(2)Procedural rules
The Board shall consider an appeal filed by a State under paragraph (1) on the basis of such documentation as the State may submit and as the Board may require to support the final decision of the Board. In deciding whether to uphold an adverse action or any portion of such an action, the Board shall conduct a thorough review of the issues and take into account all relevant evidence. The Board shall make a final determination with respect to an appeal filed under paragraph (1) not less than 60 days after the date the appeal is filed.
(c)Judicial review of adverse decision
(1)In general
Within 90 days after the date of a final decision by the Board under this section with respect to an adverse action taken against a State, the State may obtain judicial review of the final decision (and the findings incorporated into the final decision) by filing an action in— (A)
(B)the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
(2)Procedural rules
The district court in which an action is filed under paragraph (1) shall review the final decision of the Board on the record established in the administrative proceeding, in accordance with the standards of review prescribed by subparagraphs (A) through (E) of section 706(2) of title 5. The review shall be on the basis of the documents and supporting data submitted to the Board.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 610, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, § 410, as added Oct. 21, 1976, Pub. L. 94–585, § 1(a), 90 Stat. 2901; amended
July 18, 1984, Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title VI, § 2663(c)(6), 98 Stat. 1166, related to food stamp program coupons, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 104–193, § 103(a)(1), as amended by Pub. L. 105–33, title V, § 5514(c), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 620. Another prior section 610, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, § 410, as added Jan. 2, 1968, Pub. L. 90–248, title II, § 211(b), 81 Stat. 897, provided for furnishing by Secretary to Secretary of the Treasury the names of parents contained in reports from State agencies, for ascertainment of addresses, and authorization for appropriations for such purpose, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 93–647, § 101(c)(8), Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2360, eff.
July 1, 1975.

Amendments

1997—Pub. L. 105–33 made technical amendment to directory language of Pub. L. 104–193, § 103(a)(1), which enacted this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 1997 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 105–33 effective as if included in the provision of Pub. L. 104–193 amended at the time the provision became law, see section 5518(d) of Pub. L. 105–33, set out as a note under section 862a of Title 21, Food and Drugs.

Effective Date

Section effective July 1, 1997, with transition rules relating to State options to accelerate such date, rules relating to claims, actions, and proceedings commenced before such date, rules relating to closing out of accounts for terminated or substantially modified programs and continuance in office of Assistant Secretary for Family Support, and provisions relating to termination of entitlement under AFDC program, see section 116 of Pub. L. 104–193, as amended, set out as a note under section 601 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 610

Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110