The Relief Appropriation Act of 1935 was passed on April 8, 1935, as a part of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal.

[5] I am not willing that the vitality of our people be further sapped by the giving of cash, of market baskets, of a few hours of weekly work cutting grass, raking leaves or picking up papers in public parks.

[6]On April 8, 1935, Roosevelt introduced the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act, which only gave direct aid to people who were unable to work, such as the elderly and the disabled.

[11] The local governments and agencies had already cared for the 1.5 million unemployable relief recipients (e.g. the ill, the aged, the physically handicapped).

[14] There had been many obstacles that led to its downfall, such as: Roosevelt had hoped that this would end the Depression and create jobs, but it was unsuccessful.

Many people complained that "the programs created 'busy work' for the unemployed at the expense of the nation's more affluent citizens.