General Assistance (GA)

Program information

The General Assistance (GA) program helps people without children pay for basic needs. It provides money to people who can't work enough to support themselves and whose income and resources are very low. People who get general assistance are also eligible for help with medical costs through Medical Assistance (MA).

General Assistance (GA) program (PDF) Medical Assistance (MA)

Eligibility

To qualify for GA, you must meet income and asset limits listed below. Also, you must be unable to work enough to support yourself because you:

Are ill or have a disability (permanent or temporary)
Are taking care of someone with a disability or illness
Are in a mental, physical, or drug rehabilitation facility
Are determined unemployable by a vocational specialist and the county
Are applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or waiting on an SSDI or SSI appeal
Are over 55 and can't get a job because of your age
Have a learning disability
Have a drug or alcohol dependency
Are a displaced homemaker who is a full-time student
Are doing court-ordered services that prevent you from working at least four hours a day
Are over age 18, attending high school, and English isn't your first language, or
Are under age 18 and not living with your family.

Income and asset limits
The monthly income limits, after subtracting allowed expenses, are:

$350 for a person living in the community
$128 for a person living in a licensed residential facility or receiving substance use disorder treatment services.

The asset limit is $10,000 per person.

Other benefits for which you may have to apply
If you qualify, you also must apply for other benefits that you may be able to get, such as:

Worker's Compensation
Social Security Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (RSDI)
SSI.

Benefits

The maximum monthly benefit is:

$350 for a person living in the community
$128 for a person living in a licensed residential facility or receiving substance use disorder treatment services.

Emergency funds may be available if you cannot pay for basic needs, such as shelter or food, and your health or safety is at risk because of this.