A study of the characteristics of AFDC cases active in Linn County , Oregon in June 1966 and of the difference in characteristics between those cases closed by September 1, 1967, and those cases remaining active on that date. The source of data was the case records of the Linn County Department of Public Welfare. There were 212 cases in the study with 200 suitable for full analysis. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that there is a difference in selected characteristics between cases remaining active and cases that close. Case records were read and then characteristics tallied. The cases that were in closed status at the end of 15 months were compared with the characteristics of the cases remaining active. Findings confirmed the hypothesis with respect to two characteristics in which there were statistically significant differences. These were family composition and work experience. A large family limited the possibility of termination, but experience in a trade increased the probability of termination. Education level and age of mother were not found to be significant. The unmarried mother tended to remain active, but this finding was influenced by size of family. Question was raised about the reliability of information in case records concerning sexual behavior and use of alcohol. The woman with chronic medical problems was found to have a better than average frequency of termination. The impact of vocational training and group therapy was not significant for remaining active or terminating.