General Assistance (also called General Relief, GA, or GR depending on the state) is cash aid funded and run entirely by state or county governments, with no federal money and no federal rules attached. It exists to catch people who fall outside every federal safety net program: childless adults who don't qualify for TANF, people waiting on an SSI or SSDI decision, and households who have used up their federal time limits. Not every state has one. Where a program exists, monthly payments are typically $150 to $650 for a single adult, well below the federal poverty line, and eligibility almost always requires proof that you don't qualify for SNAP, TANF, SSI, or unemployment first.
Because there is no federal law requiring states to run General Assistance, the rules, names, and dollar amounts vary enormously from one state, county, or even township to the next. This guide breaks down which states currently offer it, what the programs are called locally, roughly what they pay, and how to apply.
What Is General Assistance?
General Assistance is the "last resort" cash program in the U.S. safety net. Congress created TANF, SSI, SNAP, and unemployment insurance with federal funding and federal eligibility floors. General Assistance fills the gaps those programs leave behind, and because it's funded 100% by state or local tax dollars, state legislatures can create it, cut it, or eliminate it entirely based on budget conditions.
Programs typically serve one or more of these groups:
- Single adults and childless couples without minor children (ineligible for TANF)
- People who are disabled or aged but not yet approved for SSI
- People who have exhausted TANF's 60-month federal lifetime limit
- People awaiting an SSI or SSDI decision (many states offer this as "Interim Assistance," repaid from the applicant's back pay once SSI is approved)
Because it's state and county funded, roughly half of states have eliminated General Assistance programs entirely since the late 1980s, and most that remain restrict eligibility to people who are elderly, disabled, or "unemployable," leaving out able-bodied single adults in most places.
Which States Have General Assistance Programs
| State | Program Name | Who Qualifies | Approximate Monthly Benefit (single adult) |
|---|
| California | General Relief / General Assistance (county-run) | Adults without minor children, low income and assets | $221 to $649, varies by county (San Francisco $619, Los Angeles $347, Alameda $336) |
| New York | Safety Net Assistance (SNA) | Single adults, childless couples, those over the 5-year TANF limit | Same schedule as Family Assistance; cash for up to 24 months, then vouchers/vendor payments in most counties |
| New Jersey | General Assistance (Work First NJ) | Employable and disabled adults without children | $185/month employable single adult, $277/month disabled adult, $382/month couple both disabled |
| Massachusetts | Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC) | Elderly, disabled, or caretakers of a disabled child | $441.10/month living independently, $133.10/month if living in someone else's household |
| Minnesota | General Assistance (GA) | Adults who don't qualify for other cash programs, often awaiting SSI | Up to $203/month for a single adult living alone |
| Michigan | State Disability Assistance (SDA) | Disabled adults not yet on SSI | Modest monthly cash grant, amount set by state budget each year |
| Washington | Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD) cash assistance | Adults unable to work due to disability, pending SSI | Set by state budget, similar to TANF grant level |
| Connecticut | State Administered General Assistance (SAGA) | Largely converted to a medical-only program after 2013 cuts | Cash portion mostly eliminated; medical coverage remains |
| Illinois | Township General Assistance (locally funded, not statewide) | Varies drastically by township, often the poorest and last resort | Set township by township, some townships pay very little or nothing |
| Ohio | County-administered Disability Assistance | Available only in counties that choose to fund it | Varies by county, several dozen dollars to a few hundred |
Note: dollar amounts change with each state or county budget cycle, so treat these as approximate figures and confirm the current amount with your local welfare or human services office before applying.
States Without General Assistance
Several states have eliminated cash General Assistance entirely, or restrict it so narrowly that it functions only as a temporary bridge to SSI (often called "Interim Assistance") rather than an ongoing benefit. States that have cut or never created a broad General Assistance program include Pennsylvania (cash GA eliminated in 2012), and several Southern and Mountain West states that rely almost entirely on TANF, SNAP, and local charity or township poor relief instead of a statewide cash program. If your state isn't listed above with a specific program name, call your county Department of Social Services or Department of Human Services directly. Many counties still run small, locally funded emergency assistance funds even where the state has no formal program.
Who Typically Qualifies for General Assistance
Eligibility rules differ by state, but most General Assistance programs share these baseline requirements:
- Income limit: Countable income must fall below a set threshold, often close to or below the state's TANF payment standard, which is typically far below the federal poverty level.
- Asset limit: Most programs cap countable assets around $1,000 to $2,000 for a single applicant, excluding a primary home and one vehicle.
- Ineligible for other cash programs: You generally must not qualify for TANF (no minor children in the household), SSI, or unemployment insurance.
- Residency: You must live in the state or county administering the program, sometimes for a minimum period before applying.
- Work requirement or disability determination: In states that still serve "employable" adults, you may need to register for work or accept a job placement. In states limited to "unemployable" adults, you'll need medical documentation of a disability or an SSI application already on file.
- Citizenship or immigration status: Requirements vary by state; some restrict General Assistance to U.S. citizens and qualified immigrants, similar to TANF rules.
How to Apply for General Assistance
- Find your local office. General Assistance is usually applied for at the same county or city office that handles TANF and SNAP, sometimes called the Department of Social Services, Department of Human Services, or Department of Public Welfare. In states like Illinois, it may be the township supervisor's office instead of a county agency.
- Gather documentation. Bring photo ID, Social Security card, proof of income (or lack of income), proof of residency, bank statements, and any medical records if you're applying based on disability.
- Complete the application. Most counties allow you to apply in person, by mail, or online through the same portal used for SNAP and TANF. Ask specifically for "General Assistance" or "General Relief," since caseworkers often default to screening for federal programs first.
- Attend the interview. Nearly all General Assistance programs require an in-person or phone interview to verify your household situation and confirm you don't qualify for federal programs.
- If applying while waiting on SSI, ask about Interim Assistance Reimbursement. Many states will advance you General Assistance while your SSI claim is pending, then automatically deduct the amount they paid you from your first SSI back payment once you're approved.
- Recertify on schedule. Most programs require monthly or quarterly reporting of income changes, and some cap total months of eligibility per year or per lifetime.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between General Assistance and TANF?
TANF is a federal-state program with federal funding and federal rules, available only to families with minor children (with a few state exceptions for pregnant women). General Assistance is funded entirely by state or county dollars, has no federal money attached, and typically serves single adults and childless couples who don't qualify for TANF at all.
Can I get General Assistance while waiting for SSI or SSDI?
In many states, yes. This is often structured as "Interim Assistance," where the state advances you monthly cash while your SSI application is pending. If you're later approved for SSI, the Social Security Administration repays the state directly out of your retroactive back pay, and you keep the remaining balance.
Does General Assistance count as income for SNAP or Medicaid?
Yes. General Assistance cash payments count as unearned income when your household's SNAP or Medicaid eligibility is calculated, which can slightly reduce your SNAP benefit amount.
Why doesn't my state have a General Assistance program?
Because General Assistance is funded entirely by state or local budgets rather than federal law, state legislatures can eliminate it during budget shortfalls. Several states cut their programs in the 1990s and again after the 2008 and 2012 budget crises, and many never restored them.
Is General Assistance the same in every county within a state?
No. In states like California and Illinois, General Assistance (or General Relief) is administered county-by-county or township-by-township, meaning both eligibility rules and payment amounts can differ significantly even within the same state. Always confirm the specific rules for your county.
How long can I receive General Assistance?
Time limits vary widely. Some states cap General Assistance at a set number of months per year, others limit it to a lifetime maximum, and some states impose no time limit at all for applicants who are elderly or disabled. Ask your caseworker for your state's specific limit when you apply.
