General Assistance/Relief

There are many reasons the county might say you are not eligible for General Assistance or General Relief benefits. Some of these reasons could be that your income is too high, you have too much property, you did not turn in paperwork, you did not do something the county told you to do, or the county says you are able to work after getting benefits for three months.

The county must give you a written notice telling you that the county thinks you are not eligible for General Assistance or General Relief and why. If you think the county is wrong, you can appeal and have your case heard by an independent hearing officer. The written notice should tell you how to appeal and how long you have to appeal.

Once you appeal, there will be a hearing scheduled to give you a chance to explain why you think you should get General Assistance or General Relief and for a hearing officer to decide if the county is right or wrong. If the hearing officer decides you are right, the hearing officer can order the county to pay you benefits or reconsider whether or not you may be eligible.