General Assistance

What is General Assistance?

General Assistance (GA) provides cash aid to indigent adults and emancipated minors who are legal residents of Alameda County and who have no other means of support. It is a state-mandated program that is locally administered and funded by the County of Alameda. 

GA benefits are considered a loan to the individual(s) receiving aid. The maximum cash grant for a single person on GA is $336 per month and $548 per month for a couple.

Individuals enrolled in General Assistance may qualify for some of the following benefits and services:

• Financial support
• CalFresh: Food assistance
• Medi-Cal: Health insurance
• Employment Services: Training, career counseling, education support, and job placement through the CalFresh Employment and Training program
  
• Shelter referrals and housing assistance

General Assistance Policies & Regulations

90-01.42: Processing Applications at Intake

90-01.43: Processing Applications at Redetermination for General Assistance

90-01.61: Presumptive Eligibility for General Assistance Applicants

90-01.70: Required Documentation and Verification in the General Assistance (GA) Program

90-01.84: Housing Assistance Vendor Program

90-01.841: Substitute IRS Form W-9 Processing in the General Assistance (GA) Program

90-02.40: CalFresh Employment and Training Program

90-02.321: Medical Evaluation Appointments - Hayward Office

90-02.322: Medical Evaluation Appointments - Oakland Office

90-03.33: Sponsored Non-Citizens

90-03.50: Citizens and Eligible Non-citizens

90-04.00: Spousal Support Responsibility and Liability

90-05.151: Earned Income

90-06.00: General Assistance Appeals Process

General Assistance Regulations

General Assistance Public Comments

When substantial changes to the General Assistance regulations are proposed, the Social Services Agency will make them available for public review and comment, prior to implementation. Current proposed changes are available for comment here.