CalFresh vs. General Relief: How often can I reapply for GR benefits after a year?

General Relief and CalFresh are two different programs with different rules. For General Relief in California, most counties have a time limit of 3 months in a 12-month period for "able-bodied adults" or 6 months for those with certain exemptions. But since it's been over a year since you last received it, yes, you can definitely reapply now - the clock has reset. As for CalFresh, there's no similar time restriction - you can receive CalFresh benefits as long as you meet the income and resource requirements. And yes, you can absolutely receive both GR and CalFresh at the same time, they're separate programs. I'd recommend applying for both if you need the assistance.

I think u might be confusing GR with the ABAWD rules for CalFresh? CalFresh (food stamps) has that 3 month thing for able bodied adults without dependents but its been waived in most places. GR is totally different program with diff rules in each county. What county r u in? That matters alot.

For Los Angeles County General Relief specifically, there is a time limit of 9 months of aid in any 12-month period for "employable individuals." However, if you're considered "unemployable" due to disability, age (over 60), or certain other factors, you can receive GR continuously without time limits. Since it's been over a year since you last received GR, you're eligible to reapply regardless of your previous status. When you apply, make sure to bring documentation of your income, resources, and expenses. The GR grant amount in LA County for 2025 is around $352/month for a single person. And as mentioned above, you can absolutely apply for CalFresh at the same time - they're separate programs with different eligibility rules.

they're gonna make u look for work if ur "employable" just fyi. theres a whole program u gotta participate in to keep getting GR. its called GROW in LA county i think.

Have you tried calling the DPSS office directly? I spent THREE DAYS trying to get through to LA County about my CalFresh and GR questions last month. Kept getting disconnected or put on endless holds. Finally I found this service called Claimyr that got me through to a real person in less than 20 minutes. Seriously saved my sanity. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 or you can check their website at claimyr.com. Way better than wasting days on hold.

THEY ALWAYS TRYING TO DENY PEOPLE BENEFITS!!!! I got GR 3 times in the past 2 years cuz they keep kicking me off for stupid reasons then I reapply. One time they said I missed an appointment that THEY NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT!!! Another time they said I didn't turn in some form that I DEFINITELY DID!!! The whole system is designed to make people give up!!!

I was on GR years ago n they only gave me like $220 a month back then. Is it more now? Barely covered anything TBH.

Thanks everyone for all this helpful info! I think I understand better now. Since it's been over a year, I can reapply for GR without any problems with the time limits. I'll definitely apply for CalFresh at the same time too. I'm going to gather my documents this weekend and submit the application next week. Hoping they process it quickly because I'm really in a tight spot right now.

Just wanted to add that you should also look into other county programs while you're applying! LA County has emergency rental assistance, utility assistance, and sometimes one-time emergency aid that can help bridge the gap. The same DPSS office handles most of these programs so you can ask about them when you go in for your GR/CalFresh applications. Also, many food banks don't require any paperwork and can provide immediate help while you're waiting for your benefits to get approved. Good luck with your applications!

@Sean Kelly Yes! The emergency rental assistance program in LA County is called ERAP (Emergency Rental Assistance Program), though funding comes and goes so availability changes. You can also check with 211 LA (dial 2-1-1) for current programs - they have the most up-to-date info on what's available. And yes, most food banks are truly no-questions-asked! Places like the LA Regional Food Bank locations, Catholic Charities, and local churches usually just ask for your name and how many people are in your household. No income verification, no paperwork. Some of the bigger distribution sites might ask for ID just to prevent people from going through the line multiple times, but that's it. The LA Regional Food Bank website has a map showing all the distribution locations and times - definitely worth checking out while you're waiting for your CalFresh to get approved!

Just to add one more resource - if you're dealing with any disabilities or health issues that might affect your work ability, make sure to mention that during your GR interview. Even temporary conditions can sometimes qualify you for exemptions from the work requirements or get you classified as "unemployable" which removes the 9-month time limit entirely. LA County has medical review processes for this. Also, if you have any medical expenses, prescription costs, or transportation costs for medical appointments, keep those receipts - they can sometimes be deducted from your income when calculating eligibility. The caseworkers don't always tell you about these deductions so it's good to ask specifically about them.

One thing I'd recommend is applying online if possible - the MyBenefitsCalWIN portal lets you submit applications for both CalFresh and GR at the same time, and you can upload documents electronically instead of having to mail or fax everything. It also lets you track the status of your applications and communicate with your caseworker through secure messaging. The system can be a bit clunky but it's usually faster than paper applications and you don't have to worry about documents getting lost in the mail. Plus you'll have a digital record of everything you submitted. Just make sure to keep copies of everything you upload, and follow up if you don't hear back within the expected timeframes!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! As someone who's been navigating the benefits system for a while, I wanted to add that it's also worth checking if your local community college or adult education center offers free classes on benefits navigation. Many of them have counselors who specialize in helping people apply for multiple programs at once and can walk you through the paperwork step by step. They often know about local resources and programs that even some caseworkers might not mention. Plus, if you're interested in job training or education while on GR, some programs don't count as "income" and can actually help with your long-term employability. The combination of GR, CalFresh, and educational support can really help create a pathway out of poverty rather than just temporary assistance.