Astrue v. Capato
Holding
The Social Security Administration interprets the Social Security Act to allow children conceived after their father"s death to qualify for Social Security survivors benefits only if they could inherit from their father under state intestacy law. That reading, the Court held, is better attuned to the statute"s text and its design to benefit primarily those supported by the deceased wage earner in his or her lifetime. Moreover, even if the SSA"s longstanding interpretation is not the only reasonable one, it is at least a permissible construction entitled to deference under Chevron U. S. A. Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc.
Judgment
Reversed and remanded, 9-0, in an opinion by Ruth Bader Ginsburg on May 21, 2012.
Merits Briefs for the Petitioner
Merits Briefs for the Respondents
Amicus Briefs in Support of the Respondents
- Brief for Cancer Legal Research Center of the Disability Rights Legal Center
- Brief for Jennifer Lahl et al.
- Brief for”the National Senior Citizens Law Center”and the National Organization of Social Security Claimants” Representatives
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Recommended Citation: Astrue v. Capato, SCOTUSblog, https://www.scotusblog.com/cases/astrue-v-capato/