### Question
How does the law define State?


### Answer
Under *42 U.S.C. § 405*, **State** is defined as:

> the several States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

#### Citation:
  - *42 U.S.C. § 405*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 7-SOCIAL SECURITY > SUBCHAPTER II-FEDERAL OLD-AGE, SURVIVORS, AND DISABILITY INSURANCE BENEFITS**

