WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS
1. Hearings
If your case is going to be terminated or your benefits are reduced, you have a right to a GA hearing. You must request the hearing within 10 days of the action. The County must hand-issue you a “Notice of Action” seven (7) days before a hearing or 8 days if mailed. The date and time of the hearing will appear on the notice. Your benefits cannot be cut off or reduced without a hearing unless you do not go to the hearing (see the section on Hearings and Complaints)
2. Penalties
If you do not go to your GA hearing, or you lose your GA hearing, your case will be terminated (with or without a sanction) or your benefits will be reduced. If you receive a sanction and you have not been sanctioned in the past 365 days you can re-apply at once. If this is the second sanction in a year, you can re-apply in 30 days. After the third penalty in a year, you have to wait 60 days to re-apply.
3. If You Begin to Get SSI
GA is a “loan” from the county. If you begin to get SSI, the amount you received on GA will be automatically deducted from your first SSI check.
4. After Time Limits
If your General Assistance is stopped due to the time limits:
• You can keep getting CalFresh (food stamps.)
• You can keep getting free and low cost health care under the Affordable Care Act.
If you become “unemployable” while you are timed off of GA, reapply for GA and give verification that you are “unemployable.” If they find you are unemployable, you will be eligible to once again receive GA and you will not be subject to time limits. Bring proof of unemployability with you to your assessment meeting.
For Assistance with GA Problems:
Legal Services of Northern California
515 – 12th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814