Am I eligible for GA/GR?

In general, to be able to get General Assistance/General Relief, you must:

    Be at least age 18 (unless you are an emancipated foster child denied aid through CalWORKs);
    Be a resident of the county where you’re applying;
    Be a U.S. citizen, a legal permanent resident, or an immigrant with satisfactory status;
    Have a Social Security Number (a card is not necessary); and
    Have limited income and property.

Every county has its own rules, including specific limits on the income and property you can have. Contact your county welfare agency for more details. For a list of county welfare agencies, see Appendix A on PG. 505.[1455]

SPECIAL RULES & RESTRICTIONS

Some counties may have special rules and restrictions for people with drug-related convictions or other violations, or people who are suspected of having a warrant, being in violation of parole or probation, or fleeing to avoid prosecution. For example, in Los Angeles County, you are ineligible for GA/GR if you are on house arrest. Other counties, such as San Francisco, make eligibility determinations on a case-by-case basis.

When applying for GA/GR, you should bring whatever form of identification you have. If you do not have any ID, the social worker at the county welfare agency should be able to help you in proving your identity. Some counties also require a fingerprint be taken before benefits can be distributed. For information about applying for a California state ID card for free or reduced price, see the BUILDING BLOCKS IN REENTRY: ID & VOTING CHAPTER, on PG. 43. If you have more questions about applying for GA/GR, you may call the following nonprofit organizations: Public Interest Law Project (PILP) at (510) 891-9794 or the Western Center on Law and Poverty (WCLP) at (213) 487-7211, for advice.

  1. 1455

    See County Human Services Agencies, Cnty. Welfare Dir’s. Ass’n of Cal., http://www.cwda.org/links/chsa.php. ↑