The new situation created by the end of the FERA called for decisions and action at every level. The federal government had to bring the new WPA into operation, identify and place as many employables as possible, approve new work projects, and deal with complaints if states were unhappy about the transition. In a separate operation the federal government had to approve arrangements made by the states for categorical relief. The states had to decide whether to return all responsibility for relief to local units, give control to counties, retain (at least for a period) their emergency relief agencies, or consolidate all public assistance in one department of welfare. Final action in local units would depend upon state policy, but they would immediately be called upon to certify the eligibility of individuals for WPA employment or categorical assistance.

The central machinery for WPA administration presented few problems. The staff of the FERA was transferred to the new agency, and what remained of the FERA became a division of the WPA. Once the FERA had made its last grant in November 1935, its residual duties were to account for what had been spent and prepare statistical reports. In the states the WPA administration was almost as easy to establish. In most cases, the state emergency relief director was appointed as the WPA administrator, and though he might experience some awkwardness in reconciling his state and federal duties, most states cooperated eagerly in the expectation that they would be relieved of responsibility for employables.