A theoretical model has been developed for recombination at dangling bonds which explains the y variations between 0.5 and 1 depending on the Fermi level position. The occupation probabilities of the T3+, T3 0 and T3states under illumination have been calculated using the statistics of correlated levels. The y exponent is derived through a parametric representation of the equations of detailed balance and charge conservation. A good agreement with experiment is obtained with a dangling bond density of 5x1015 cm-3 , a placing of the T3 0 level at 0.95 eV below Ec,an effective correlation energy of 0.4 eV and a charged to neutral capture cross section ratio of 50.