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.

Yes, LACCD (Los Angeles Community College District) definitely has these resources! Most of their campuses have what's called EOPS (Extended Opportunity Programs and Services) and CalWORKs programs that provide benefits navigation help, counseling, and support services specifically for low-income students. They can help you apply for benefits AND figure out how to pursue education without jeopardizing your assistance. Regarding education and GR - you're absolutely right that this can be tricky! In LA County, if you're enrolled in an approved education or training program (like at a community college), you may be exempt from some of the GROW work requirements. The key is getting the program "approved" by your GR caseworker beforehand. Financial aid like Pell Grants typically doesn't count as income for GR purposes, but work-study earnings might. I'd recommend contacting the EOPS office at your nearest LACCD campus - they're experts at helping people navigate exactly this situation. Places like East LA College, LA City College, and LA Trade Tech all have strong programs for students receiving public benefits.

This has been such an invaluable thread! As someone new to navigating the California benefits system, I'm blown away by the depth of knowledge and support this community provides. I wanted to add one resource that hasn't been mentioned yet - California's GetCalFresh.org website. It's a simplified online portal specifically for CalFresh applications that can be easier to navigate than the general MyBenefitsCalWIN system, especially if you're only applying for food assistance initially. They also have a pre-screening tool that can give you an estimate of your potential benefit amount before you even apply, which can be helpful for planning. Also, for anyone dealing with immediate food insecurity while waiting for benefits to process, many Sikh temples (Gurdwaras) in LA serve free community meals (called langar) daily with absolutely no questions asked - you just show up. The food is vegetarian and they welcome everyone regardless of background. It's been a lifesaver for many people I know while waiting for their CalFresh to get approved. @Dmitry Petrov and everyone else who contributed - this thread should honestly be pinned as a resource guide! The combination of official program information and real community support here is exactly what makes navigating these systems less overwhelming.

This has been such an amazing thread to follow! As someone who's currently navigating similar challenges, I'm incredibly grateful for all the detailed information shared here. The breakdown of LA County's specific rules - like the 9-month GR limit resetting after a year and the GROW program requirements - is exactly what I needed to understand. I'm particularly interested in what @Isabella Ferreira mentioned about EOPS programs at community colleges potentially providing exemptions from GROW work requirements. That could be a game-changer for people wanting to build job skills while receiving assistance. Does anyone know if there are specific types of programs or certifications that GR caseworkers are more likely to approve? I'm thinking about pursuing some IT training but want to make sure I don't accidentally jeopardize my benefits by choosing the wrong type of program. Also, @Zainab Ahmed, thank you for mentioning GetCalFresh.org - I had no idea there was a simpler portal just for food assistance! That sounds much less overwhelming than trying to navigate the full county system when you're already stressed about finances. @Dmitry Petrov, I hope your applications go smoothly! This thread has become such an incredible resource thanks to your question.