General Assistance

General Assistance (GA) provides acash aid to indigent adults who are legal residents of Alameda County and who have no other means of support. It is a state-mandated program that is locally administered and funded by the County of Alameda.

The maximum cash grant for a single person on GA is $336 per month. GA recipients who are 18 to 21 years old, pregnant, disabled or 65 and older may be eligible for Medi-Cal benefits. If you are not eligible for Medi-Cal, you can receive medical treatment at the county clinics and hospitals. Many GA recipients are also eligible for Food Stamp benefits of up to $200 per month for a single person.

Eligibility

All GA money is considered a loan to the individual receiving aid. GA recipients must sign a reimbursement agreement as a condition of eligibility. Employable recipients are required to participate in employment service activities.

Unemployable and/or recipients 65 years and older who appear eligible for Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) are required to apply for these benefits through the Social Security Administration.

Legal Non-Citizens 65 and older who meet certain residency requirements must apply for benefits through the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI).

Applicants may have up to $1,000 in personal property. The following are not counted as part of the personal property limit for an individual:

• A motor vehicle which is valued at $4,650 or less; and
• The cash surrender value on a life insurance policy

New General Assistance (GA) Program Rules

Effective September 1, 2009, there are changes in the General Assistance Program rules.

1. Shared Housing

Under the new rule, if you live with someone other than your eligible spouse or registered domestic partner, your GA grant will be reduced by:

15% --- if you share with one person
20% --- if you share with two persons
25% --- if you share with three or more persons

2. Medical Care Deduction

To cover the cost of medical care, the GA grant will be reduced by $40 each month for persons who do not receive Medi-Cal benefits.

EXCEPTIONS

There are exceptions to some or all of these changes for people who are permanently disabled and are unable to work, former Alameda County foster care youth and Independent Living Skills program participants under the age of 25, and persons living in Community Housing And Shelter Services (CHASS) or Alternative General Assistance Program (AGAP) facilities.

For more information about the new GA Program changes, you may call 1-877-556-7921.

How to Apply

To apply for general assistance, please visit the Economic Benefits Department public contact office nearest you.