Recent Developments in the Washington Old Age Assistance Program

More than 60,000 persons over 65 years of age in the State of Washington now receive old age assistance totaling in excess of $3,500,000 per month. With the progressive advancement of life expectancy and the decline of employment opportunities for the aged in the postwar years, these figures can be expected to increase until by 1950 more than 75,000 aged persons in this state will receive assistance which, under present standards, will approximate $5,000,000 per month. Administration of this huge program of public assistance has been carried out under laws which are models of benevolent purpose and obscure meaning.