GENERAL RELIEF PROGRAM

FACT SHEET

General Relief (GR) assists Los Angeles County residents who are not eligible for other

To be eligible for GR, an individual must be a resident of Los Angeles County. Non-needy

caretakers who are timed-off of CalWORKs are also eligible. The GR eligibility

requirements are:

• Monthly net income is lower than the maximum GR grant of $221 for one person.

• Personal property has a combined value of $2,000 or less.

• The property limit for a motor vehicle owned by an individual who is homeless and

uses the vehicle as a residence is $11,500. All other motor vehicles not used as a

residence must be valued at $4,500 or less to be eligible for aid. Only one motor

vehicle may be retained.

An individual is ineligible for GR if he or she:

• Is in violation of probation or parole.

• Is fleeing to avoid prosecution or custody/confinement after a felony conviction.

GR APPLICATION

Residents of Los Angeles County may apply for GR in person in a Department of Public

Social Services (DPSS) GR district office, by mail, fax, or online through the Your Benefits

Now (YBN) self-service portal available on the DPSS website.

screening. If at the screening appointment the applicant is determined to have a SUD,

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the applicant may still be approved for GR if all other eligibility criteria are met, and must

participate in a treatment program as a condition for continued eligibility for GR.

SERVICES AVAILABLE:

• Aid to first paycheck.

• Meal and housing vouchers.

• Transportation to seek jobs/keep medical appointments, etc.

• Expedited CalFresh and Medi-Cal. Approximately 95% of GR participants also receive

CalFresh benefits and 92% receive Medi-Cal.

Special Needs

• A transportation allowance to look for work.

• A special/therapeutic diet allowance as verified by a doctor.

Department of Health Services (DHS) have partnered with DPSS to provide benefits,

advocacy service. DHS contracted staff are co-located at all 14 GR district offices to

assist physically/mentally disabled individuals apply for Supplemental Security Income

(SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance, Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants, and

Veterans benefits. If approved for SSI, the maximum monthly grant is $931.72. SSI

recipients also receive full-scope Medi-Cal.

GR CASELOAD TYPES

Employable (E)

GR participants who are able to participate in employable-related activities are

considered Employable. Employable participants are required to participate in the

General Relief Opportunities for Work (GROW) program to help them find employment.

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An employable participant may receive GR benefits for a maximum of 277 days out of

any 365-day period. GR participants who have some limitations/restrictions in the type of

work they can perform are considered employable. GR participants determined to be

employable with restrictions are required to participate in the GROW program.

Participation in the GROW program is limited by the functional limitations/restrictions

participate in the GROW program. Permanently disabled GR participants must apply for

SSI and are referred to a CBEST Advocate for assistance. CBEST staff offer SSI application

assistance and evaluate the need for supportive services.

Administratively Unemployable (AU)

GR participants who are not able to work due to circumstances other than physical or

mental disabilities may be designated AU. For example, an AU designation may be

assigned because an adult individual provides full-time care to an incapacitated family

member, is pregnant but not yet eligible for CalWORKs, or is 65 years of age or older. GR

Individuals designated NSAs are given priority treatment in the district office and are

exempt from most GR requirements. GR eligibility for NSA individuals is not time limited

and they are not required to participate in the GROW program. GR

applicants/participants have the option to schedule an evaluation of mental disability

with Department of Mental Health staff who are co-located in the district office, or with

their own treatment provider. Potentially SSI eligible NSAs individuals are referred to a

CBEST Advocate for assistance with an SSI application.

Unemployable Volunteer

GR participants designated unemployable may volunteer to participate in the GROW

Updated November 2019