Is General Relief different from CalWORKs? Confused about cash assistance programs

General Relief is different from CalWORKs. General Relief (sometimes called General Assistance) is a county-funded program for adults without children who don't qualify for other cash aid programs. CalWORKs is specifically for families with children.\n\nBased on what you said about not having kids, you're looking at the right program with General Relief. The programs you mentioned (CalWORKs, TCVAP, RCA) are all state/federal programs, while GR is purely county-funded and has different rules depending on which county you live in.\n\nYou apply for General Relief through your county social services office - the same place you'd apply for CalFresh. In most counties, GR is considered a loan that you might need to repay later.

Thank you SO MUCH for explaining! So I should definitely apply for General Relief then, not CalWORKs. I didn't know it might be a loan though...that's kinda scary. Do you know if they take that repayment directly from future benefits or how that works?

genrl relief is county only program & difrent from calworks. i got GR b4 i found work last yr. its WAY less $ than calworks. in my county it was only like $380/month & they made me do workfare 2 get it (like community service). u have 2 prove ur looking 4 work every month or they cut u off!!!

Wow that's not much money but I guess it's better than nothing. How many hours of workfare did they make you do? I'm dealing with some health issues right now so I'm worried about work requirements...

Just to clarify what others have said:\n\n1. General Relief (GR) or General Assistance (GA): County-funded program for single adults or couples without children who have little/no income and resources\n\n2. CalWORKs: For families with children under 18\n\n3. RCA (Refugee Cash Assistance): For newly arrived refugees without children for their first 8 months in the US\n\n4. TCVAP (Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program): For victims of human trafficking or certain crimes\n\nEach county in California administers GR differently with varying benefit amounts and requirements. If you have medical issues, be sure to tell them when you apply as some counties have exemptions from work requirements for those with medical conditions. You can apply through BenefitsCal.com or at your county office.\n\nAnd yes, GR is technically a loan in most counties that you repay if you later receive SSI benefits (they take it from your back payments).

Thanks for breaking it down so clearly! I'll definitely mention my medical situation. I'm applying for disability too, so I guess they'll take the GR money back if I get approved for that eventually. Do you know if there's a faster way to apply? The online system is so confusing.

When I lost my job in 2023 I applied for GR and it took them 3 WEEKS to approve it!!! By then I had already found another job and had to cancel the application. The whole system is designed to make it hard to get help when you actually need it. And yeah, they expect you to look for jobs even when you're sick. I couldn't believe how little they offered too - basically impossible to survive on.

Same! And they made me come in EVERY WEEK to prove I was looking for work. How am I supposed to find a job when I'm spending half my time proving I'm looking for one? SMH

I've been helping clients navigate these programs for years, and the confusion is understandable. One important thing to know is that while General Relief is a county program, the application process is often integrated with other benefits. You can actually apply for multiple programs (CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and General Relief) through a single application on BenefitsCal.com or in person.\n\nRegarding your medical issues - bring documentation if you have it. Most counties have temporary exemptions from work requirements if you have a doctor's note. The exemption periods vary by county (usually 3-6 months).\n\nAlso, if you're having trouble reaching your county office by phone, you might want to try Claimyr (claimyr.com). It's a service that waits on hold with the county and calls you when a real person answers. I've had clients use it successfully when they couldn't get through the normal way. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8

Thank you! I do have a doctor's note actually, so that's good to know. I've never heard of Claimyr before but I'm definitely going to check it out. Waiting 2+ hours on hold is impossible when my phone cuts out all the time. Appreciate the tip!

So General Relief is actually completely separate from those other programs you mentioned. I got confused too when I first applied! The

Oh that's helpful! I am registered with EDD but my unemployment benefits ran out. I'm in Sacramento County - not sure if they have the same GR-SSI program but I'll definitely ask about it. Thanks!

i thot general relief was food stamps???? isnt that what EBT is for????

No, CalFresh (food stamps) is different from General Relief. CalFresh is specifically for food and comes on an EBT card. General Relief is actual cash assistance that can be used for rent, utilities, etc. You can receive both programs at the same time if you qualify.

Update: I went to the county office this morning and waited for 3 hours but finally got to speak with someone. You all were right - General Relief is completely different from CalWORKs. In Sacramento County, the max GR benefit is $338/month which isn't much but will help with some bills. \n\nThey said I need to bring ID, proof of residency, bank statements, and medical documentation for my next appointment. They're also requiring me to apply for unemployment again even though I already exhausted my benefits.\n\nThank you everyone for the help! I feel less confused now about the different programs.

Glad you got some answers! Make sure you bring ALL the requested documents to your next appointment. If you're missing even one thing, they'll often make you reschedule and start the waiting period over again. And definitely apply for CalFresh too if you haven't already - you can receive both benefits simultaneously.

I'm glad you were able to get some clarity at the county office! Just wanted to add that when you bring your medical documentation, make sure it specifically mentions any work limitations or restrictions. Sometimes a general doctor's note isn't enough - they usually want something that clearly states you're unable to work or have limited capacity. Also, regarding the unemployment requirement - even though you've exhausted your regular benefits, there might be extended benefits or other programs you could qualify for through EDD. It's worth checking since having an active case with EDD can sometimes help with the GR approval process. $338 definitely isn't much, but combined with CalFresh it can help bridge the gap while you're dealing with your health issues. Hope everything works out for you!