WHAT ARE THE GA BENEFITS?
1. Basic Benefits
GA benefits provide monthly cash aid in Sacramento County.
Once approved, you can earn up to $326 each month with no loss of benefits (one person) or $437 (two people) if you are “employable”. If you are disabled or “unemployable”, the limits are $364 each month (one person) or $488 (two people) . Benefit amounts are lower if there are other people in the household who are not legally responsible for your support.
To apply for GA, go to the office of:
Human Assistance
1725 28th Street
Sacramento, CA 95816
Phone: 916 874-2072
Be prepared for a long day, but remember that you have the right to apply. Tell the worker at DHA that you need GA. You will have to fill out an application. Bring identification with you and papers that prove your income, resources and citizenship (your birth certificate is best but other documents can work). If you are an immigrant bring documents that indicate your status.
Individuals who live with a spouse and/or child receiving CalWORKs must contact the CalWORKs worker and request to be included on the CalWORKs grant.
Every GA applicant has a right to request “expedited” CalFesh (food stamps).If you are eligible, DHA must issue you food stamps within three days of your application if you are eligible to receive expedited food stamps.
Make sure that your worker has a good address for you; otherwise, you may miss important notices from DHA. Your home address and mailing address do not have to be the same. If you are homeless, you can use the DHA address to pick up your mail, but if you do, you must check your mail once a week. Some community organizations and shelters provide free mail service.
You must be helped if you are in the office before it closes. If you need help immediately, you should get it. If anyone does not let you apply or tells you to come back the next day, insist on speaking to a worker, and then a supervisor, and then the deputy director, if necessary.
The county has 30 calendar days to approve your case and issue you GA benefits. Your benefits will be issued to you on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (“EBT”) card. When your EBT card is issued to you, you will also select a personal identification number (“PIN”). Using your EBT card and your PIN, you can access your benefits through any ATM. Your DHA worker should provide you with a list of ATMs in the area. This list will let you know which ATMs are free and which ones charge a fee.
2. If You Think You Are Unable to Work
If you are disabled you may want to apply for SSI first You may apply for GA while you wait on SSI. You can ask the county to help you apply for SSI. If you get GA because you are unemployable you must apply for SSI.
If you are disabled, apply for GA as “unemployable”. You should bring any medications, prescriptions, private doctor’s statement, or other proof about your disability.
If DHA decides that you can work, you can appeal.
Make sure you go to all appointments because you may be denied GA if you don’t.
3. If You Need Special Assistance
DHA must help if you need it. If you cannot read or write, they must help you with their forms.
4. Emergency Money
If you have an emergency you may be able to get some money right away. This is called “immediate need.” Ask DHA about this. If they do not help you, call Legal Services