Agency: Workforce Services

Line Item: General Assistance

Function

The General Assistance (GA) line item/program is a time limited, state funded program that provides financial assistance to adults who do not have dependent children living with them and who have physical or mental health impairments that prevent basic work activities in any occupation.

General Assistance provides minimal financial assistance to enable customers to meet some living expenses and may help with income requirements to qualify for some assisted housing programs.

Upon approval for assistance, GA customers are assigned to either the Short-Term track or the Long-Term track. This track assignment is based on the anticipated length of impairment reported on the medical form completed by the customer's health care provider. The following describes the two tracks:

• GA customers with impairments that will last less than 6 months are assigned to the Short-Term track. DWS can provide resources and referrals to help the customer prepare to reenter the labor market when they are able, but there are no case managements services provided to customers on the Short-Term track.
• GA customer with impairments that will last longer than 6 months are required to apply for and actively pursue long-term Social Security disability benefits. Customers on the Long-Term track are assigned to a case manager who has been trained to assist the customer with the SSI/SSDI application and appeal processes.

General Assistance benefits are time limited to a total of 12-months of benefits in a 60-month period. GA customers on the Short-Term track are limited to 6-months of benefits in a 12-month period.

Funding Detail

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