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State General Assistance Programs 1998
Publication Date: June 01, 1999 Permanent Link:
http://www.urban.org/url.cfm?ID=409066
The nonpartisan Urban Institute publishes studies, reports, and books on timely topics worthy of public consideration. The views expressed are those of the authors, and should not be attributed to The Urban Institute, its trustees, or its funders.
Copyright © April 1999. The Urban Institute. All rights reserved. Except for short quotes, no part of this book may be reproduced in any form or utilized in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from The Urban Institute.
Note: This document is also available in the PDF format, which many find convenient when printing.
Assessing the New Federalism
Assessing the New Federalism is a multi-year Urban Institute project
designed to analyze the devolution of responsibility for social programs from
the federal government to the states, focusing primarily on health care, income
security, employment and training programs, and social services. Researchers
monitor program changes and fiscal developments. In collaboration with Child
Trends, Inc., the project studies changes in family well-being. The project
aims to provide timely, nonpartisan information to inform public debate and
to help state and local decisionmakers carry out their new responsibilities
more effectively.
Key components of the project include a household survey, studies of policies
in 13 states, and a database with information on all states and the District
of Columbia, available at the Urban Institute's Web site. This paper is one
in a series of occasional papers analyzing information from these and other
sources.
This report is part of the Urban Institute's Assessing the New Federalism
project, a multi-year effort to monitor and assess the devolution of social
programs from the federal to the state and local levels. Alan Weil is the project
director. The project analyzes changes in income support, social services, and
health programs and their effects. In collaboration with Child Trends, the project
studies child and family well-being.
The project has received funding from The Annie E. Casey Foundation, the W.K.
Kellogg Foundation, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Henry J. Kaiser
Family Foundation, The Ford Foundation, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur
Foundation, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, The David and Lucile Packard
Foundation, The Commonwealth Fund, the Stuart Foundation, the Weingart Foundation,
The McKnight Foundation, The Fund for New Jersey, and The Rockefeller Foundation.
Additional funding is provided by the Joyce Foundation and The Lynde and Harry
Bradley Foundation through a subcontract with the University of Wisconsin at
Madison.
The nonpartisan Urban Institute publishes studies, reports, and books on timely
topics worthy of public consideration. The views expressed are those of the
authors and should not be attributed to the Urban Institute, its trustees, or
its funders.
The authors would like to thank the many state and local officials who participated
in the interviews that provided the content for this report. We also thank Pamela
Holcomb, Karen Tumlin, Alan Weil, Michael Wiseman, Sheila Zedlewski, and Wendy
Zimmerman for their valuable contributions and comments on earlier drafts.
Contents
Executive Summary
Introduction
General Assistance Program Availability,
Requirements, Administration, and Funding Resources
States with State GA Programs
States without State GA Programs
General Assistance Eligibility Criteria and Program Requirements
Categorical Eligibility Requirements
Financial Eligibility Requirements
Residency Requirements
Citizenship Requirements
Drug Screening Requirements
Work Requirements
General Assistance Program Benefits and Duration
Form of Benefits
Benefit Maximums
Duration of Assistance
Medical Assistance
General Assistance Program Caseloads and Expenditures
Statewide Program Data
County Program Data
Major Changes To General Assistance Programs Since 1996
Benefit Level Changes
PRWORA's Impact on GA Eligibility
Other Eligibility Changes
Other Miscellaneous Changes
References
About the Authors
Notes
Figures and Tables
Figure 1: State General Assistance Programs, Summer 1998
Table 1: Summary of General Assistance Programs by State, Summer 1998
Table 2: General Assistance Program Requirements, Administration,
and Funding
Table 3: General Assistance Categories of Eligibility
Table 4: General Assistance Financial Eligibility Criteria
Table 5: Other General Assistance Eligibility Criteria
Table 6: General Assistance Work Requirements
Table 7: General Assistance Monthly Benefits and Duration of Assistance
Table 8: General Assistance Medical Assistance Programs
Table 9: General Assistance Program Caseloads and Expenditures,
State General Assistance Programs, Statewide Data
Table 10: General Assistance Program Caseloads and Expenditures,
State General Assistance Programs, County Data
Table 11: General Assistance Program Caseloads and Expenditures,
County General Assistance Programs
Table 12: Major Changes to General Assistance Programs Since
1996
Executive Summary
General Assistance (GA) programs are cash and in-kind assistance programs financed
and administered entirely by the state, county, or locality in which they operate.
They are designed to meet the short-term or ongoing needs of low-income persons
ineligible for (or awaiting approval for) federally funded cash assistance such
as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Security Income
(SSI).
This report, based on a survey of the 50 states and the District of Columbia,
provides an overview of states' GA programs as of the summer of 1998. Tables
throughout the report describe policy choices made by states and counties in
providing assistance for those ineligible for federal assistance. In addition,
this report provides caseload and expenditure data where available and addresses
major changes in GA programs since the last survey of GA programs, which coincided
with the passage of federal welfare reform in the summer of 1996. Major dimensions
of the program are summarized by state in Table 1. Key findings
are as follows.
Thirty-five states, including the District of Columbia, have state
General Assistance programs.1
Thirty-five states, including the District of Columbia, have state GA programs;
that is, they have GA programs in which the state government has at least some
involvement. Twenty-four of the 35 states with GA programs have statewide General
Assistance programs with uniform eligibility rules. In most of these states,
the benefit schedule is also uniform, although some states adjust their benefit
schedules to reflect the cost of living in various regions of the state. Nine
of the 35 states with GA programs do not have uniform state GA programs, but
require all counties to provide General Assistance. As a result, eligibility
rules and benefit schedules may vary substantially from county to county in
these states. The two remaining states (Wisconsin and Virginia) with GA programs
do not provide statewide assistance, but do provide supervision and funding
for counties that choose to have a program.
States without state government involvement in the provision of General Assistance
are unlikely to have counties with General Assistance programs.
Of the 16 states without state General Assistance programs, only 6 have at
least one county that has chosen to provide General Assistance without state
involvement.2 These county programs provide lower average benefits
than state GA programs and are more likely than state programs to limit the
duration of assistance and to provide in-kind assistance rather than cash. In
addition, county GA programs are less likely than state programs to provide
medical benefits to GA recipients. In the remaining 10 states, we were unable
to identify either a state GA program or a local GA program.3 These
states are almost all southern states, with most located in the Southeast.
Able-bodied adults without children (the population most often associated with
General Assistance) are, in fact, the least likely to be eligible for such assistance.
Although the two most populous states, California and New York, provide General
Assistance to able-bodied adults without children, few others do the same. Only
13 states provide GA to this population, down from 15 states in 1996. In addition,
many states that provide assistance to able-bodied adults without children limit
the duration of assistance to this group and/or provide in-kind assistance rather
than cash.
General Assistance programs are more likely to serve disabled, elderly, and
otherwise unemployable individuals, and children or families with children.
Thirty-four states provide General Assistance to disabled, elderly, or otherwise
unemployable individuals not eligible for (or awaiting approval for) SSI. Twenty-four
states provide assistance to children or families with children not eligible
for TANF, such as children living with an unrelated adult.
Most states limit eligibility for General Assistance to the severely poor.
Although income eligibility limits vary considerably across states, a majority
of state GA programs limit assistance to only the "severely poor," that is,
those with income less than one-half the poverty level ($335 per month for an
individual, $569 for a family of three). Among the 35 state GA programs, income
eligibility limits range from $0 per month in New Hampshire to $1,674 per month
for a couple in Hawaii, although most states set income eligibility limits between
$100 and $400 per month for an individual and between $300 and $600 for a family
of three. Most states set resource limits between $1,000 and $2,000, regardless
of family size. However, states generally disregard some earned income and certain
resources, such as a home and a car, in determining eligibility.
Nearly all states that provide assistance to able-bodied adults require recipients
to work in order to maintain benefits.
Eighteen states extend GA eligibility to able-bodied adults without children
or able-bodied adults with children. Fifteen require participation in work or
training programs. Although 10 of these states provide some opportunities for
job training, counseling, or education, the emphasis in most states is on finding
private sector employment or "working off" the benefit amount through public
sector employment. Recipients who fail to comply with the work requirements
are sanctioned in most states, usually losing their entire benefit for a specific
period of time ranging from seven days in one state to one year in another state.
General Assistance benefits are low and falling.
The maximum monthly benefits available to General Assistance recipients are
generally set far below the federal poverty level. Among the 27 state GA programs
that provide cash benefits to individuals (8 states provide in-kind assistance
or a combination of cash and in-kind assistance), the average monthly benefit
maximum for an individual is only 37 percent of the federal poverty level ($249).
GA benefits are also lower than benefits in comparable federal assistance programs.
On average, GA monthly cash benefit maximums for disabled individuals are less
than 50 percent of state SSI monthly cash benefit maximums, and GA monthly cash
benefit maximums for families are less than 90 percent of state TANF monthly
cash benefit maximums. Moreover, few states have adjusted their benefit maximums
since 1996, with the result that benefits in most states have decreased in real
terms over the past two years. Only 7 states increased benefit maximums, and
2 states reduced benefit maximums.
Most states that provide General Assistance also provide medical assistance
for GA recipients, although medical benefits are usually less extensive than
Medicaid.
In 5 of the 35 state GA programs, all GA recipients are eligible for medical
assistance under that state's Medicaid program or Medicaid waiver program. Of
the remaining 30 state programs, 26 provide medical assistance to some or all
GA recipients, either through a formal state or county GA medical program, or
by providing benefits to cover certain medical expenses. The medical benefits
of such programs vary widely in the types of services covered, but most provide
more limited benefits than Medicaid.
General Assistance caseloads are small compared with the caseloads of the major
federal assistance programs.
Most of the states with General Assistance programs provide GA benefits to
less than 15 percent of the number of persons served by TANF assistance in their
state. In New York, which has the most extensive GA program, about 8 percent
of those living in poverty receive General Assistance--approximately 232,000
recipients per month. This is less than one-quarter of the number of TANF recipients
in New York and about one-third of the number of SSI recipients in New York.
Many states made changes to their GA programs within the past two years, many
of which continued the trend of tightening nonfinancial eligibility requirements.
Connecticut eliminated eligibility for a category of employable persons without
children, although it did create an additional category for persons with an
impairment that interrupts employment. The District of Columbia eliminated its
General Public Assistance program for persons awaiting SSI. Two states, Hawaii
and Connecticut, lengthened the time a person must be disabled in order to qualify
for General Assistance as temporarily disabled. Four of the 35 state GA programs
established or increased time limits, raising the total number of states with
time limits to 10, and 3 states increased or established durational residency
requirements, raising the total number of states with durational residency requirements
to 7. Two states (Hawaii and Michigan), however, removed time limits for persons
with a disability.
Changes to immigrant eligibility for federal assistance programs as a result
of PRWORA have had a significant impact on General Assistance policies.
Following the federal lead, 19 of the 35 state GA programs tightened restrictions
on assistance to immigrants. However, some states, such as New York and Washington,
have explicitly enabled immigrants no longer eligible for federal benefits as
a result of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation
Act (PRWORA) to qualify for GA.
Changes to family assistance as a result of PRWORA enabled states to shift
some of the burden of providing assistance to the federal government.
Nine states transferred the responsibility for providing assistance to pregnant
women in their first two trimesters and/or two-parent families with little or
no work history from their GA program to their TANF program since the enactment
of PRWORA. Both of these groups were ineligible for federal assistance under
the prior law.
Administrative structures of General Assistance programs remained stable between
1996 and 1998.
Despite speculation since the passage of PRWORA that states would engage in
"second-order devolution," that is, devolution of administrative and policy
control of safety net programs from states to counties, we found no evidence
that states are devolving more authority to their counties in the area of General
Assistance. One state, in fact, made changes in the opposite direction. Connecticut,
the only state to make a major change in the administration of its GA program,
is now moving from a county-administered system to a state-administered system.
Introduction
Ever since the inception of the federal safety net for low-income individuals
and families, some populations have remained outside the scope of the major
federal cash assistance programs. Currently, the two major federal cash assistance
programs are Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF--formerly the Aid
to Families with Dependent Children program), which serves needy children and
their families, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which serves the low-income
elderly and the severely disabled. State programs that provide benefits to populations
not covered by TANF or SSI, such as able-bodied individuals without children,
are collectively known as General Assistance (GA) programs.
Despite the importance of General Assistance as the only source of cash assistance
for some low-income populations, GA often fails to receive the attention received
by the larger assistance programs. However, the rise in state variation in the
provision of cash assistance as a result of recent changes to the federal safety
net has increasingly focused attention on safety net programs at the state level.
As researchers assess the generosity and effectiveness of new and more complex
state safety nets, state level information on General Assistance policies will
be a vital component in understanding the overall welfare systems in the various
states.
This report provides an overview of states' General Assistance programs as
of the summer of 1998. Tables throughout the report describe the availability
of GA, eligibility rules, and benefit amounts in order to document the policy
choices made by states and counties in providing assistance for those ineligible
for federal assistance. This information reveals the considerable variety of
state programs and policies and provides a basis for comparing the relative
generosity of states in providing benefits to populations not covered by SSI
and TANF, especially able-bodied adults without children and individuals awaiting
SSI determination.4 In addition, this report provides caseload and
expenditure data to gauge the extent of support these assistance programs provide.
Finally, this report addresses major changes in General Assistance programs
since the last survey of GA programs, which coincided with passage of the Personal
Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) in the summer
of 1996 (Uccello, McCallum, and Gallagher 1996). Although PRWORA did not address
GA, eligibility changes to federal safety net programs as a result of PRWORA
necessarily affect GA programs, because GA eligibility is often conditioned
upon not being eligible for federal cash assistance. Where evident, this report
notes the relationship between provisions of PRWORA and the recent changes in
GA programs.
There is no uniform definition of General Assistance, a rubric that covers
a wide range of state programs. In this paper, a General Assistance program
is defined as a cash or in-kind assistance program that is financed and administered
entirely by the state, county, or locality in which it operates and is designed
to meet the short-term or ongoing needs of low-income persons ineligible for
(or awaiting approval for) federally funded cash assistance. The population
eligible for general assistance varies considerably by state, but usually consists
of those individuals ineligible or not yet qualified for SSI (e.g., an able-bodied
individual or an individual with a disability not severe enough to qualify for
SSI) and/or families and children categorically ineligible for TANF (e.g., a
child living with an unrelated caretaker). A few states, however, provide General
Assistance to all persons categorically ineligible for SSI or TANF.
To distinguish General Assistance programs from emergency assistance programs,
only those programs that allow assistance to be provided for at least two consecutive
months are included in this definition. Our definition of General Assistance
programs also includes "interim assistance," that is, financial assistance for
persons waiting to become eligible for SSI or Social Security Disability Insurance
(SSDI). While interim assistance is sometimes administered separately from other
forms of General Assistance, most states provide assistance to persons awaiting
SSI or SSDI determination as a part of a larger General Assistance program.
Our definition of General Assistance programs does not include state programs
generally referred to as state-segregated or state-separate TANF programs (i.e.,
state programs that expend funds that count toward TANF state Maintenance of
Effort [MOE] requirements), despite the fact that such programs are entirely
state funded. While some states provide General Assistance benefits that count
toward the TANF MOE requirements, programs in which 100 percent of funds count
toward the MOE are not included in this report. In addition, optional SSI state
supplement programs and state food stamp replacement programs--both state-funded
programs--are generally not considered General Assistance programs and are not
included in this report.
The information for this report was obtained through a variety of sources,
including state websites, state regulations, and caseworker manuals. However,
the primary source was a telephone survey conducted during the months of June,
July, and August 1998. State and county officials from all 50 states and the
District of Columbia were interviewed to verify existing information, fill in
missing information, and provide information on recent changes to their General
Assistance programs. To ensure the accuracy of the information, survey results
were sent to states and counties for verification.
For those states with state General Assistance programs that vary by county
and those states with only county General Assistance programs, we obtained information
from state officials about rules that did not vary and then collected information
on rules in the region or county with the largest population, either from the
state or county office. If the largest county did not have a General Assistance
program, but a smaller county did have a program, then the program information
from the smaller county was included in the report. These counties served as
the focal counties and are noted as such throughout the tables. While rules
from one county are often used to represent the state for throughout the report,
readers should be cautioned when generalizing information from the focal county
to the entire state. In many of the states in which a focal county is used,
the degree to which programs vary across the state is unknown.
The last comprehensive survey of General Assistance programs was conducted
in the summer of 1996 by the Urban Institute.5 This report follows
the same methodology, although the format is slightly different. Most important,
the tables in this report separate information obtained on state GA programs
from information obtained on county GA programs. In addition, counts of state
GA program features that appear in the text, such as the number of states with
work requirements, are tallied separately for states with state GA programs
and county programs. This differs from the 1996 survey, which included information
on county GA programs along with state GA program information in the tables
and the counts in that appear in the text.
Information on General Assistance programs by state, not separated into cross-state
tables as in this report, is available in the Supplement
to State General Assistance Programs, 1998: State Summaries on the web
at: http://www.urban.org/.
General Assistance Program Availability,
Requirements, Administration, and Funding Sources
No national law requires state governments to provide General
Assistance or to establish uniform rules across the state if GA is provided.
Consequently, the provision of General Assistance varies considerably across
the states and often within states. This chapter provides an overview of the
availability of General Assistance and the extent to which General Assistance
rules vary within each state. Also discussed is the involvement of the state
and local governments in creating, regulating, administering, and funding these
programs. Table 2 provides detailed cross-state comparisons
of this information.
States with State GA Programs
As illustrated in figure 1, 35 states (including
the District of Columbia) have state GA programs. This includes states in which
the state government has at least some involvement in General Assistance, through
either the creation of a uniform statewide General Assistance program, requiring
lower governmental units to provide General Assistance, or the supervision and
funding of optional county GA programs.
Twenty-four of the 35 states with state GA programs have statewide
General Assistance programs with uniform eligibility rules. In most of these
states, the benefit schedule is also uniform, although some have benefit schedules
that vary by the cost of living in different areas of the state. These 24 states
are more likely than states without uniform eligibility rules to have a GA program
that is administered in local field offices by the state government and are
also more likely to fund their programs with state dollars. In 18 of these states,
the GA program is administered by the state, while in the remaining 6 states,
the GA program is administered by counties or localities. In 20 of the states,
the GA program is funded with state dollars; in the remaining 4 states, the
state shares funding with a lower level of government.
Nine of the 35 states with state GA programs require all counties
or municipalities to provide General Assistance to low-income residents, but
do not have uniform state GA programs.6 In these states, eligibility
rules, benefit schedules, administration, and funding are left mainly to the
counties or municipalities required to provide the assistance. However, the
requirements placed on these county or local programs vary by state, and state
governments have considerable involvement in some states. While the GA programs
in all nine of these states are administered by the counties or municipalities,
the programs in two states (Illinois and Maine) receive some state funding.
In addition, some of these states, such as California and New Hampshire, require
the counties or municipalities to follow broad state guidelines or meet basic
requirements in designing their General Assistance programs.
The 2 remaining states of the 35 with state GA programs do not
provide assistance statewide, but do provide supervision and funding for counties
that choose to have a program. Wisconsin provides block grant funding for counties
to provide cash and medical General Assistance programs. Virginia also provides
funding to localities that choose to offer a General Assistance program, but
the localities must operate the program within state guidelines. In both states,
the counties and localities that offer General Assistance also administer the
program and provide funding in addition to the state funding. In Wisconsin,
almost half of all counties offer cash General Assistance; in Virginia, over
three-fourths of all localities offer General Assistance.
States without State GA Programs
In 16 states, there are neither state GA programs nor requirements
on counties to provide General Assistance. In 6 of these states and 1 of the
states with a state General Assistance program, we identified at least one county
or municipality that provides some form of county-based General Assistance.7
GA programs in these seven counties are solely county funded and are generally
not subject to state constraints. In the remaining 10 states, we did not identify
General Assistance programs in any of the states' counties.8 As indicated
in figure 1, most of these states are located in the South.
General Assistance Eligibility Criteria
and Program Requirements
States and counties set General Assistance eligibility criteria to target the
specific populations considered most in need or deserving of assistance. Generally,
these populations are low-income persons or families who are categorically ineligible
for or are awaiting determination for federally funded cash assistance. Program
requirements are created for other purposes, such as transitioning recipients
to work through work requirements and reducing fraud through fingerprinting
requirements. Although some GA programs have flexible eligibility and program
requirements, most programs have a fixed set of rules. This section summarizes
the various eligibility criteria and program requirements and describes how
they vary across state GA programs and county programs. In states where program
rules vary by county or locality, information was obtained from a focal county
as described in the introduction.
Eligibility and program requirements are classified here into six categories:
(1) categorical eligibility requirements, which limit benefits to certain types
of persons or families; (2) financial eligibility requirements, which define
financial need; (3) residency requirements; (4) citizenship
requirements; (5) drug screening and treatment requirements; and (6) work requirements.
In addition, many states have various other requirements such as requiring recipients
to have a social security number, to be fingerprinted, or to apply for all federally
funded assistance for which they are eligible.
Categorical Eligibility Requirements
Categorical eligibility requirements restrict eligibility to specific categories
of individuals or families. While some programs provide assistance to all persons
and families who do not meet the categorical eligibility requirements for federal
cash assistance or who are awaiting eligibility for a federal assistance program,
such as SSI, most states are more restrictive in the populations they serve.
Of the 35 state General Assistance programs, 25 have categorical eligibility
requirements. The remaining 10 states provide assistance to all categories of
financially needy persons who do not qualify for, or are not receiving, federally
funded cash assistance programs.9 Of the seven county
programs, six have categorical eligibility requirements and one county provides
assistance to all financially needy persons and families.
Categorical eligibility requirements are generally based on the family status
and/or employability of the recipient. Table 3 provides
detailed state-by-state descriptions of categorical eligibility requirements
divided into three broad categories of eligibility: (1) disabled, elderly, and
other unemployable adults; (2) children and families with children; and (3)
employable adults without children. General descriptions of the various categories
are presented below.
Disabled, Elderly, and Other Unemployable Persons
Persons with disabilities, elderly persons, and other unemployable persons
are the most likely to be eligible for General Assistance. Thirty-four of the
35 state GA programs provide assistance to at least a portion of the disabled,
elderly, or otherwise unemployable population ineligible for federal assistance,
including 24 states with categorical eligibility requirements and the 10 states
without categorical eligibility requirements. Additionally, each of the seven
county GA programs provides assistance to at least a portion of this population.
However, most states and counties differ with respect to the specific categories
of disabled, elderly, and other unemployable persons served. For example, Massachusetts
provides assistance to persons who are disabled at least 60 days, while Ohio
provides assistance to persons who are disabled at least nine months. In addition,
states may have contrasting definitions of "unemployable" persons. For instance,
although both Connecticut and Vermont provide assistance to persons over age
55, Connecticut considers all such persons elderly and unemployable while Vermont
considers some of them employable and subjects them to work requirements. Specific
categories of disabled, elderly, and other unemployable persons generally include:
- Persons with a permanent disability. This category includes persons
who meet the Social Security Administration's definition of disabled (i.e.,
persons with a medically verified disability--physical or mental--that is
expected to last for at least 12 months or to result in death and that is
severe enough to prevent the individual from engaging in "substantial gainful
activity"). It includes persons who may be eligible for SSI and are awaiting
SSI eligibility determination.10 Because it sometimes
takes 12 or more months to determine eligibility, states provide GA to SSI
applicants during the interim and typically refer to this assistance as "interim
assistance." Once these persons are accepted for SSI, they receive a lump-sum
payment retroactive to the application date. States may require that this
payment be used to repay the state for any interim assistance received. Some
states end assistance once all SSI appeals have been exhausted. In
addition to persons awaiting SSI determination, states provide assistance
to those who have a permanent disability as defined by the state but who do
not qualify for SSI. For instance, Oregon provides assistance to persons with
a permanent disability who are ineligible for SSI because of their immigrant
status.11
- Persons with a temporary disability. This category includes persons
who have a disability but are unable to collect SSI benefits because the disability
is temporary (i.e., expected to last less than 12 months). States vary, however,
as to the minimum expected duration of the disability required to be eligible
for benefits. Requirements range from 30 days to 9 months.
- Elderly persons. SSI also awards benefits to persons age 65 or
older who meet the income eligibility criteria. A number of states, however,
provide GA to elderly persons who, for whatever reason, do not meet the SSI
criteria or are awaiting SSI determination. Some of these states have a less
restrictive definition of "elderly" and award benefits to persons over 55
or 60 until they become eligible for SSI at age 65. In some other states,
persons 55 to 65 may still be eligible, but are classified as "employable"
persons and are subject to work requirements. As a result, they would be included
in the employable adult category in table 3.
- Caretakers of an incapacitated spouse or child. This category includes
persons who are unable to engage in work activity because of the time commitments
of caring for an incapacitated spouse or child.
- Persons in a drug or alcohol abuse treatment program. A few states
provide GA to persons considered "unemployable" because they are currently
enrolled in a drug or alcohol abuse treatment program, usually a state-approved
or -licensed facility. Rigid time limits and additional requirements are often
imposed on persons in this category.
Children and Families with Children
Twenty-four of the 35 state GA programs provide assistance to low-income children
or families with children, including 14 states with categorical eligibility
requirements and 10 states without categorical eligibility requirements. Only
two of the seven county programs provide assistance to low-income families with
children, including one county with categorical eligibility requirements and
one county without categorical eligibility requirements. Specific categories
of eligible children and families with children include:
- Families with children. Under the former Aid to Families with Dependent
Children (AFDC) program, two-parent families who were recently unemployed
or had limited work histories were ineligible for assistance. Some states,
therefore, chose to cover these families through their General Assistance
programs. Although states may now choose to assist all two-parent families
under TANF, some states continue to assist these families through their GA
program. Other categories of families that may also be ineligible for TANF
assistance include families with a child who is not related to the principal
caretaker; immigrant families who arrived after August 22, 1996, or who arrived
earlier but are considered unqualified; and families who reached the 60-month
federal TANF time limit.12
- Pregnant women in their first two trimesters. Under the former
AFDC program, states had the option of defining AFDC eligibility to include
women pregnant with their first child, but only after the pregnancy had reached
the final trimester. Some states, therefore, chose to provide GA during the
first two trimesters until they were eligible for AFDC. Although states may
now choose to provide assistance to pregnant women in the first two trimesters
under TANF, some states continue to provide assistance to these persons through
their GA program.
- Unattached children. This category includes children, sometimes
referred to as unrelated children, who are ineligible for TANF because they
live with an adult caretaker who is not a parent or relative. Some states
provide assistance only to the child, while other states provide assistance
to the caretaker in addition to the unrelated child, as noted above in the
families with children category.
- Emancipated minors. This category includes minors, generally between
the ages of 16 and 18, who no longer live with a caretaker and thus are not
eligible for TANF.
While the above list covers most of the categories of assistance that include
families with children, it is necessary to advise caution when attempting to
compare states on the generosity of their programs with respect to providing
assistance to children or families with children. Some of the categories of
families with children listed above are technically eligible to receive federal
TANF assistance, including all two-parent families and all pregnant
women.
Some states, therefore, no longer provide assistance to these populations through
their GA program. Instead, these states have moved these families to their state
TANF programs, which generally provide higher benefits. Other states have continued
to exclude these families from their TANF programs and either provide no assistance
for these families or provide these families with assistance through their GA
program. In addition, other categories of families with children, including
families that reach the 60-month federal time limit and immigrant families,
are eligible for assistance that counts toward the state TANF Maintenance of
Effort (MOE) requirement. While some states provide assistance to these families
through their GA program and count GA funding to these families toward the TANF
MOE requirement, other states either have created separate programs for these
families that are not included in this report or have integrated these families
into their TANF program. As a result, only a comprehensive survey of state TANF
programs, TANF MOE programs, and GA programs would allow accurate comparisons
of eligibility for these families across states.
Employable Adults without Children
Employable adults without children are the least likely population to be eligible
for GA. Only 13 of the 35 state GA programs provide assistance to employable
adults without children, including 3 states with categorical eligibility requirements
and 10 states without categorical eligibility requirements. Additionally, only
one of the seven county programs--the only county program without categorical
eligibility requirements--provides assistance to employable adults without children.
Specific categories of able-bodied adults without children include:
- All employable adults without children. This category generally
includes able-bodied adults between 18 and 65 who are deemed able to find
employment. Many of these recipients are subject to work requirements.
- Able-bodied adults with some barriers to employment. This category
consists of able-bodied persons who have some barriers to employment, such
as lack of education or inability to speak English. Recipients in this category
are also often required to participate in work or training programs.
Financial Eligibility Requirements
All states and counties consider the financial situation of GA applicants when
determining eligibility for benefits. Most set specific income and resource
eligibility limits along with exemptions from these limits, while a few determine
income or resource limits on a case-by-case basis. Table 4
provides a detailed state-by-state listing of these financial eligibility requirements.
In states where couples and families may apply for benefits, income limits
usually vary according to family size. To a lesser extent, states vary income
limits by living arrangements, eligibility category, applicant or recipient
status, and location of residence. In states that vary income limits according
to these criteria, higher income limits are usually associated with persons
who pay shelter costs, persons who are eligible due to a permanent disability,
persons who are already receiving assistance, and persons who live in areas
with a high cost of living. In contrast to income limits, resource limits are
less likely to vary by family size, eligibility category, or residence.
Across state and county programs, income and resource eligibility limits vary
considerably, but a majority limit assistance to only the "severely poor," that
is, those with incomes less than one-half of the federal poverty level ($335
per month for an individual, $569 for a family of three). In one state with
a state GA program (New Hampshire) and in two county programs (Dade County,
Florida, and Jefferson County, Kentucky), only those who have no income at all
are eligible for benefits. In contrast, Hawaii's program has the most generous
income limits, awarding financial eligibility to individuals who have a monthly
income up to $1,239 and to couples with a monthly income up to $1,674. Overall,
most states set income eligibility limits between $100 and $400 per month for
an individual and between $300 and $600 for a family of three. Several state
GA programs and most county programs set resource limits at zero or count resources
against the income limits. The majority of states, however, model their resource
limits after the SSI program, the former AFDC program, or their current TANF
programs, usually allowing $1,000 to $2,000 in resources.
States and counties usually exempt certain types of income and resources when
determining eligibility, and states often model both income and resource exemption
rules after their SSI and TANF programs. Income exemptions may include all or
certain types of unearned income, a portion of earned income, or some combination
of the two. Exempted unearned income generally includes a wide range of federally
provided financial benefits including Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
(LIHEAP) payments, benefits from the supplemental food program for Women, Infants,
and Children (WIC), and income from tribal land settlements. By providing earned
income exemptions, states and counties create incentives for work by allowing
recipients to gain employment without immediately losing their benefits. Resource
exemptions typically include a home, an auto, property, and smaller items.
Residency Requirements
Nearly all of the GA programs have residency requirements. All but one of the
state GA programs and all of the county GA programs require recipients to reside
in the state, county, or municipality where they apply for benefits. Only New
Hampshire does not have a residency requirement. In addition, 7 of the 35 state
GA programs and 3 of the 7 county programs require applicants to prove residency
for a specified period of time before they become eligible for full benefits.13
These durational residency requirements range from 15 days to 12 months. Most
durational residency requirements apply to all applicants and deny all benefits
until the durational residency requirements are met, although there are two
exceptions. In Connecticut, only immigrants are subject to the durational residency
requirement. In New York, recipients subject to the durational residency requirement
receive 50 percent of New York's benefit or the benefit amount from their previous
state, whichever is greater.
Citizenship Requirements
In the 1996 Urban Institute survey of General Assistance programs, most states
reported providing GA benefits to citizens and legal immigrants, while a few
states reported providing benefits regardless of citizenship or immigration
status. The passage of PRWORA dramatically changed immigrant eligibility for
financial assistance. While PRWORA focused primarily on immigrant eligibility
for federal benefits, it also permitted states to exclude certain immigrants
for the purpose of determining GA eligibility. In response, many states now
distinguish immigrants according to classifications created under PRWORA.
Fourteen of the 35 state programs, but none of the county programs, restrict
benefits to citizens and qualified immigrants only.14
In addition, eight of these states distinguish between qualified immigrants
who arrived on or before August 22, 1996 (the date PRWORA was signed into law),
and qualified immigrants who arrived after August 22, 1996. These states either
completely deny eligibility to immigrants arriving after August 22, 1996, or
allow immigrants who arrived after that date to become eligible only after five
years in the country. Twenty state GA programs and 6 county programs provide
benefits to citizens and most legal immigrants, although 2 of these states restrict
some benefits to only citizens and qualified immigrants, and one of these states
does not provide benefits to legal immigrants who arrived after August 22, 1996.
Only one of the 35 state GA programs and one of the 7 county GA programs provide
benefits to illegal immigrants in addition to legal immigrants and citizens.
Six of the states with state GA programs, but none of the county programs, also
require that eligible immigrants take steps to become citizens in order to remain
eligible for benefits.15
Drug Screening Requirements
As shown in table 5, 3 of the 35 state GA programs include
drug screening as a requirement for eligibility, while none of the county programs
include such requirements. In each of the three states, recipients testing positive
for drug use are required to participate in a treatment program as a condition
of eligibility, usually in a state-sponsored or state-licensed treatment facility.
In addition, 18 of the 35 state GA programs and 2 of the 7 county programs require
drug or alcohol abuse treatment if an applicant or recipient is found to be
dependent on drugs or alcohol. Rather than screening all applicants for drugs,
most of these programs refer persons suspected of or known to be chemically
dependent to an appropriate facility for assessment. Payments to recipients
participating in a substance abuse treatment program are often only made through
vendors for specific services provided, or through protective payees.
Work Requirements
In addition to requirements that must be met at the time of initial application,
many states impose requirements necessary to maintain benefits. Participation
in work or training programs is perhaps the most common of these. Work requirements
are found in those states that provide assistance to employable adults with
and without children, although not all of these states impose work requirements.
As shown in table 5, 15 of the 18 state programs
that extend eligibility to employable adults with or without children require
participation in work or training programs. The one county program that provides
assistance to employable adults does not require participation in a work or
training program.
The work requirements and training programs vary considerably by state, as
shown in table 6. Those required to meet work requirements
or participate in work programs generally include all able-bodied recipients,
with some exemptions for caretakers, mothers with small children, elderly persons,
students, and persons already employed. Although 10 states provide some opportunities
for job training, counseling, or education, the emphasis in most states is on
finding private sector employment or "working off" the benefit amount through
public sector employment. Recipients who fail to comply with the work requirements
are sanctioned in most states, usually losing their entire benefit for a specified
period of time. In some states, each instance of noncompliance results in sanctions
of progressively longer duration. The duration of sanctions ranges from seven
days to one year. Many GA recipients are also receiving Food Stamp benefits
and thus are subject to Food Stamp work requirements. However, only 10 of the
programs with work requirements coordinate their requirements with Food Stamp
employment and training programs.
General Assistance Program Benefits and Duration
Low-income persons and families who meet the eligibility criteria for General
Assistance programs receive a monthly financial benefit meant to help cover
basic needs such as rent, food, and clothing. The form, amount, and duration
of GA benefits vary considerably across state and county programs. In addition,
medical assistance is available through some GA programs. This section describes
how GA financial and medical benefits vary across states. Detailed state-by-state
comparisons of this information are provided in tables 7 and 8.
Form of Benefits
General Assistance financial benefits may be in the form of cash, in-kind benefits
such as vouchers or vendor payments, or a combination of these. The most common
form of GA benefits is cash, which may come either as a check payable to the
recipient or through electronic benefit transfer (EBT). EBT allows recipients
to access their benefits through ATMs or point-of-sale (POS) machines in commercial
outlets. Due in part to a federal mandate on states to switch from coupons to
EBT for the Food Stamp program, EBT is increasingly becoming the method of transferring
benefits to GA recipients.16 Vendor payments, another
form of financial assistance, are payments made by the GA agency to a person
or business such as a landlord or utility company in exchange for services provided
to the GA recipient. Similarly, vouchers are used to pay for specific items
such as food or transportation. The recipient presents a voucher to the service
provider, and the GA agency later pays the provider directly.
Twenty-four of the 35 state GA programs provide cash benefits to nearly all
recipients, 6 through the use of EBT. Fourteen of these states provide benefits
as vendor payments or vouchers rather than cash in certain circumstances. For
example, recipients may request vendor payments or vouchers as a cash management
tool. In other cases, the state requires that certain recipients receive benefits
in the form of vouchers or vendor payments, especially if the recipient is in
a substance abuse treatment program.
Six of the 35 state GA programs provide only vendor payments or vouchers for
all recipients. In many cases, the vouchers and vendor payments are limited
to certain items such as rent or utilities. Of the five remaining state GA programs,
two provide a combination of cash and in-kind assistance and three provide cash
to some recipient categories and in-kind assistance to others.
County programs are more likely than state programs to provide in-kind benefits.
Only two of the seven county programs provide cash benefits, both of which provide
vendor payments in some circumstances. The remaining five county programs provide
only vendor payments or vouchers.
Benefit Maximums
As with GA income eligibility limits, GA benefit schedules often vary by family
size, living arrangement, eligibility category, and county or region of residence.
Nearly all GA programs, whether cash or in-kind programs, limit the benefits
provided to each recipient to a maximum monthly dollar amount. Only 3 of the
35 state GA programs and 1 of the 7 county GA programs do not have maximum dollar
amounts; instead, each provides benefits in the form of voucher or vendor payments
that cover the specific costs of goods or services provided. In addition, one
state GA program does not have a monthly maximum dollar amount but does have
a yearly maximum.
Among the 27 state GA programs that provide cash benefits, the average benefit
maximum for an individual is only 37 percent of the federal poverty level ($248
per month).17 Missouri has the lowest cash benefit
maximum for individual recipients at $80, or 12 percent of the poverty level.
Except for Nebraska, whose benefit maximum for disabled individuals is $645,
or 96 percent of poverty, all states set benefit maximums for individuals below
55 percent of poverty. Among the 22 states that provide cash benefits for couples,
the average benefit maximum for a couple is 38 percent of poverty ($340), with
benefit maximums ranging from 18 percent of poverty ($159) in Ohio to 68 percent
of poverty ($596) in Oregon. Among the 12 states that provide cash benefits
for families of three, the average benefit maximum for a family of three is
39 percent of poverty ($411), with benefit maximums ranging from 18 percent
of poverty ($193) in Ohio to 54 percent of poverty ($577) in New York. Only
two of the seven county programs provide cash benefits to individuals, couples,
or families of three. In both programs, benefit maximums are less than 40 percent
of poverty.
GA benefit maximums are generally lower than benefit maximums for comparable
federal assistance programs, especially for unemployable individuals. All but
one of the state GA programs that provide cash benefits to unemployable individuals
set GA benefit maximums lower than the combined SSI and state supplement benefit
maximums in their state. On average, state GA benefit maximums for unemployable
individuals were less than 50 percent of combined SSI and state supplement benefit
maximums in each state. For families of three, GA benefit maximums were either
the same as or lower than TANF benefit maximums in each state. Of the 12 state
GA programs that provide cash benefits to families of three, 7 set benefit maximums
equal to the TANF benefit maximum in that state, with the remaining 5 state
GA programs setting benefit maximums lower than the TANF benefit maximum. On
average, state GA benefit maximums for a family of three were less than 90 percent
of TANF benefit maximums in each state.18
Importantly, not all GA recipients receive the maximum monthly benefit. Most
programs determine a recipient's monthly benefit by subtracting the amount of
the recipient's net income (income after exemptions) from the maximum benefit
level. Thus, for every dollar of nonexempt income added, recipients lose an
offsetting dollar of GA benefits. Some other programs, especially those that
provide in-kind benefits, determine monthly benefit amounts by covering the
costs of specific needs of the recipient, such as rent.
Duration of Assistance19
The duration of General Assistance benefits varies by program. Twenty-five
of the 35 state GA programs and 3 of the 7 county programs provide assistance
without time limits as long as recipients continue to meet the eligibility requirements.
Eight of the 35 state GA programs, but none of the 7 county programs, impose
time limits on only a portion of recipients, such as employable individuals
and chemically dependent recipients, but provide benefits to all other recipients
without time limits. Two of the 35 state GA programs and 4 of the 7 county GA
programs impose time limits on all recipients.
Time limits may be either periodic, limiting assistance to a certain number
of months within a given time period, or absolute, specifying the total number
of months of assistance allowed. For instance, Utah subjects employable recipients
to a periodic time limit that limits assistance to 7 months in an 18-month period.
New Jersey, however, has an absolute time limit that limits assistance to a
total of 60 months in a recipient's lifetime. Time limits may also differ by
the degree to which recipients' benefits are reduced. All but one of the GA
time limits are "termination" time limits, which terminate the entire benefit
once they are reached by the recipient. The exception is New York, whose time
limit does not terminate or reduce recipients' benefits, but instead requires
that recipients who reach the time limit receive vouchers or vendor payments
in place of a cash benefit.
States may also limit the duration of benefits in ways other than time limits.
For instance, some states that provide assistance for disabled persons awaiting
SSI determination terminate benefits once the final SSI determination is made.
Those who are not awarded SSI must qualify for GA according to some other criteria
or face losing benefits. All state and county programs also periodically review
each case or require that recipients reapply every one, three, or six months,
regardless of whether they have time limits. In some states, the duration of
assistance may be limited based on the discretion of administrators in renewing
benefits. In Indiana (Center Township of Marion County), for instance, renewals
for assistance after six months are up to the discretion of the township trustee.
In New Hampshire (city of Manchester), assistance is generally provided on a
short-term basis even though there is no set time limit. Some programs, such
as Iowa's, require persons to apply for vouchers for each separate need, and
assistance is only provided as each new need arises.
Medical Assistance
In addition to receiving financial assistance, many General Assistance recipients
receive medical assistance. While GA recipients in some states are eligible
for Medicaid or a Medicaid waiver program, most GA recipients who receive medical
assistance are covered by GA medical assistance--a state-funded medical assistance
program for persons not covered by Medicaid. In some states, these state medical
assistance programs provide assistance for persons in addition to GA recipients,
by setting less restrictive categorical or financial eligibility requirements.
Table 8 provides detailed state-by-state information on
GA medical assistance programs.
In 5 of the 35 state GA programs, all GA recipients are eligible for medical
assistance under that state's Medicaid program or Medicaid waiver program. Of
the remaining 30 states, 26 provide medical assistance to some or all GA recipients,
either through a formal state or county GA medical program or by providing benefits
to cover certain medical expenses. Only 2 of the 7 county programs, however,
provide medical assistance to GA recipients. In some states and counties, eligibility
requirements for GA medical assistance are less stringent than the eligibility
requirements for GA financial assistance. In these states, therefore, medical
assistance coverage is available to needy persons not receiving GA financial
assistance. In a few states and counties, medical coverage is limited to life-threatening
conditions. Among the 26 state and 2 county programs that provide medical assistance
other than Medicaid, benefits are usually less comprehensive than Medicaid and
vary widely in the types of services covered.
Most of the states and counties in which GA programs do not include medical
assistance components have alternative medical assistance available to some
or all GA recipients. For example, some states and counties have indigent health
care programs or charity hospital systems that are independent of their GA programs,
but for which some GA recipients are eligible. States without GA programs may
also have alternative medical care programs for some or all of their residents.
For instance, Tennessee operates a Medicaid waiver program that provides medical
assistance to a wide range of eligible recipients.
General Assistance Program Caseloads and
Expenditures
It is particularly difficult to obtain data on General Assistance
caseloads and expenditures that are comparable across states. Statewide caseload
and expenditure information was obtained from most states with uniform statewide
GA programs, but from few others. For most of the state GA programs that vary
by county, data were either available only for the specific county we surveyed
or not available at all. For the seven county programs, data was collected from
the particular county we contacted. Statewide program data are included in table
9 state GA program data limited to a particular county are included in table
10 and data on the county programs are included in table
11.
It is necessary to apply caution when comparing the caseload and
expenditure data across states. As indicated, reporting periods vary across
states. Also, some states have implemented program changes since these dates,
and the caseload and expenditure data may not reflect current program design.
Reporting methods also vary across states. Some states record their caseloads
as the number of recipients while others record them as cases, in which a single
case may include a family of three. While we have tried to separate the data
on the number of recipients from the data on the number of cases, this was not
possible in all states. In addition, some caseload and expenditure figures include
medical assistance recipients while others do not, and most interim assistance
expenditures do not reflect any federal reimbursements from SSI.
Statewide Program Data
Among state GA programs in which state caseload data was obtained,
caseloads and expenditures vary widely (table 9). Average
monthly caseloads range from 92 cases in Oregon's Temporary Assistance Program
to 190,000 cases in New York. However, when compared to the total state population,
the population in poverty, or participation in other safety net programs, the
number of persons assisted by GA is quite small. Most of the states with General
Assistance programs provide GA benefits to less than 15 percent of the number
of persons served by TANF assistance in their state. In New York, which has
the most extensive program as a percent of the total population, GA program
recipients represent less than 8 percent of those living in poverty. GA is also
small compared with other federal assistance programs. In New York, the number
of GA recipients is less than one-quarter of the number of recipients receiving
TANF and about one-third of the number of SSI recipients.
Annual spending on General Assistance ranges from about $2.8 million
in Delaware to almost $738 million in New York. Average monthly benefits range
from $80 in Missouri per individual to $520 per individual in Nebraska, although
most states have average monthly benefits between $100 and $350 per case.
County Program Data
Table 10 contains information for the focal
county in state GA programs where we were unable to obtain statewide data. Table
11 contains information on county programs. Although intrastate variability
of county-based GA programs makes interstate comparisons of these programs less
appropriate, available caseload and expenditure information may provide some
indication of how many persons are served by GA in each state.
Major Changes to General Assistance Programs
Since 1996
The last major survey of General Assistance programs conducted by the Urban
Institute in the summer of 1996 coincided with the passage of the Personal Responsibility
and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA). Since then, General Assistance
programs have undergone a multitude of changes, many of which are related to
changes made to the federal welfare system as a result of PRWORA. Of the 35
state General Assistance programs, 33 have made a change since 1996 in one of
the program areas surveyed in this report. Of the seven county programs surveyed,
five have undergone changes since 1996. In addition, one county surveyed in
1996 (Harris County, Texas) made such substantial changes to its General Assistance
program since 1996 that the program no longer meets the definition of General
Assistance for this report. All of the major changes are described in state-by-state
comparisons in table 12, which categorize the changes into
three groups: (1) benefit level changes, (2) eligibility changes, and (3) miscellaneous
other changes.
Benefit Level Changes
Few states or counties increase GA financial benefits to adjust for inflation,
with the result that most benefit maximums have remained unchanged since 1996.
In other words, benefits have decreased in real terms. Of the few changes that
did occur, though, most were increases. Seven of the 35 state GA programs and
two of the seven county programs increased benefit maximums. Among the 35 state
GA programs, Hawaii enacted the largest percentage increase in benefit maximums,
increasing benefit maximums by about 27 percent. Among the seven county programs,
Jefferson County, Kentucky, enacted the largest percentage increase in benefit
maximums, increasing benefit maximums by 118 percent for individuals. In addition,
New Jersey increased the housing benefit maximum for GA recipients who are eligible
for housing assistance. Two of the seven state GA programs lowered benefit maximums,
while none of the county programs lowered benefits. The District of Columbia
lowered benefit maximums for an unattached child by about 9 percent, and Connecticut
lowered benefit maximums by about 8 percent.
PRWORA's Impact on GA Eligibility
The majority of changes in General Assistance provisions captured by this survey
were changes to eligibility criteria, many of which were related to changes
PRWORA made to federal assistance programs. Although PRWORA did not specifically
address General Assistance programs, it nonetheless made an impact on General
Assistance programs because of the new restrictions it placed on federal assistance,
especially regarding immigrants, and the flexibility it provides states to expand
TANF assistance to two-parent families and pregnant women.
The new restrictions on federal cash assistance stipulated in PRWORA are numerous,
including a limitation of federal TANF assistance to 60 months per family, restrictions
on immigrant eligibility for federal TANF assistance, and restrictions on immigrant
eligibility for SSI assistance. The impact of these new restrictions on each
state GA program differed based on a number of factors, including whether populations
no longer eligible for federal assistance as a result of PRWORA would have become
eligible for a state GA program as of August 1996 and whether a state chose
to provide benefits to those groups no longer eligible for federal assistance.
For those states that chose to provide benefits to groups no longer eligible
for federal assistance, the effect on GA also depended on whether states chose
to provide assistance to these groups through their GA program or through an
alternate state-funded program.
Of the new eligibility restrictions, the immigrant restrictions have had the
greatest impact on General Assistance program policy in the states, especially
the immigrant restrictions on SSI applicants. As previously noted, PRWORA dramatically
altered immigrant eligibility for federal SSI, which appears to have resulted
in considerable changes to GA program policies. Before PRWORA, most state GA
programs provided benefits to immigrants in accordance with the federal SSI
or AFDC rules, granting eligibility to most legal immigrants. Those programs
that provided interim assistance to persons applying for SSI, for instance,
determined the eligibility of immigrants according to the same criteria that
would be used in determining their SSI eligibility. With the passage of PRWORA
and the creation of new restrictions on immigrants, GA programs that provided
assistance to aged and disabled individuals thus faced the prospect of providing
assistance to immigrants who were now ineligible for SSI, but still eligible
for GA. Many states chose to avoid an increase in their GA caseload and costs
by imposing parallel eligibility for GA. Eighteen of the 34 states that provide
assistance to aged, disabled, or other unemployable persons increased restrictions
on immigrant eligibility.
States that chose to provide assistance to immigrants who are no longer eligible
for SSI did so in a variety of ways, such as providing General Assistance that
was already available to these populations, creating or expanding GA programs
to serve immigrants no longer eligible for SSI assistance, or providing these
immigrants the optional state supplement to SSI (despite the fact that immigrants
would not receive the federal SSI benefit). The state of Washington, for instance,
made no changes to its immigrant eligibility GA requirements, which allowed
citizens and most legal immigrants to obtain benefits. As a result, the program
now serves legal immigrants who are no longer eligible for SSI. Oregon decided
to limit eligibility for its GA program to those immigrants whose immigrant
status does not make them ineligible for SSI, but also created a separate GA
program for some disabled legal immigrants who are no longer eligible for SSI.
The new restrictions on eligibility for TANF have had a lesser impact on GA
programs. This is partly because most of the new restrictions to federal
TANF assistance do not apply to state TANF Maintenance of Effort (MOE)
funds.20 Thus, states that chose to provide assistance to those families
ineligible for federal TANF assistance (because of the new immigrant restrictions,
time limits, or other restrictions) did not need to change their GA program
policy to accommodate this new population, but instead could provide TANF assistance
to these families using state funds that count toward the MOE requirements.
However, three states (Alaska, New Mexico, and New York), which chose to continue
benefits to at least some of the families ineligible for federal TANF assistance,
provide assistance to such families through their GA programs. In both cases,
funding for these families' benefits count toward the MOE requirements in these
states.
Although there was some speculation after the passage of PRWORA that families
now ineligible for federal TANF assistance would apply for General Assistance
programs, most states do not provide GA to families, as noted in "General Assistance
Eligibility Criteria and Program Requirements." Those that do provide General
Assistance to families often provide it to only very specific categories, such
as families with unattached children. Therefore, many states that chose not
to continue assistance to families ineligible for federal TANF assistance, such
as immigrant families, did not need to make changes to their General Assistance
programs. Most immigrant families ineligible for TANF assistance would not be
eligible for General Assistance based on other categorical requirements. Still,
some states were providing assistance to a wide range of families ineligible
for federal assistance at the time PRWORA passed, and some of these states chose
to follow the federal lead and increase their eligibility restrictions based
on immigrant status. In addition, some states changed immigrant eligibility
for GA families to provide consistency across programs. Although PRWORA did
not require states to use the federal TANF immigrant eligibility requirements
when providing GA to children ineligible for TANF, such as unattached children,
some states did just that. In the District of Columbia, for example, the immigrant
restrictions for unattached children were changed to match the immigrant restrictions
for TANF families so that children are subject to the same immigrant eligibility
criteria, whether they are living with a relative and receiving TANF or living
with a nonrelative and receiving GA. Eleven of the 24 programs that provide
assistance to children or children in families increased the restrictions on
immigrants.
Since most GA programs have only one policy regarding citizenship and eligibility
requirements, most changes states made to reflect SSI immigrant eligibility
criteria or TANF immigrant eligibility criteria affected all categories of assistance.
Overall, 19 of the 35 state GA programs increased eligibility restrictions based
on immigrant status.
Although PRWORA placed new and significant restrictions on federal assistance,
PRWORA also allowed states to expand eligibility for federal cash assistance
to families with children to include some groups that were previously ineligible
for AFDC. While the eligibility expansions have received little attention, they
have made notable impacts on GA program policy in some states. These lesser-known
provisions of PRWORA allow states to shift some populations that may have received
General Assistance in the past to the new TANF program created under PRWORA.
Under AFDC, two-parent families were ineligible for assistance unless they met
specific work history and unemployment requirements. In addition, pregnant women
were eligible for assistance under AFDC, but only during the third trimester
of pregnancy. A number of states thus provided General Assistance to two-parent
families and pregnant women ineligible for AFDC. Under TANF, however, all two-parent
families and pregnant women are categorically eligible to receive federal assistance.
They are not entitled to assistance, but states may choose to use federal TANF
funds and/or state MOE funds to provide assistance to these groups.
Some states that traditionally provided General Assistance to pregnant women
or two-parent families ineligible for AFDC are continuing to provide these groups
assistance through their GA program. In doing so, these states may count the
funding for these groups toward the TANF MOE requirement. Washington State and
Ohio, for instance, continue to provide assistance to pregnant women through
their GA program, and such assistance now counts to these states' MOE requirements
for TANF. In addition, although Pennsylvania still excludes pregnant women from
its TANF program, it expanded its GA eligibility criteria to include pregnant
women. Other states that have traditionally provided assistance to these groups
have moved these populations into their state's TANF program or a TANF MOE program,
both of which generally provide a higher benefit. Nine states, in fact, changed
the GA eligibility criteria for two-parent families and/or pregnant women, transferring
responsibility for these populations to their TANF or TANF MOE program.
Other Eligibility Changes
As often noted, PRWORA allows states to set time limits and impose durational
residency requirements on federal TANF assistance. State interest in these issues
seems to have spilled over to General Assistance programs. Four of the 35 state
GA programs and 1 county program established or increased time limits, including
both California and New York. In addition, Harris County, Texas, imposed a new
time limit on assistance allowing receipt of benefits in 1 month out of a 12-month
period. As a result, its program no longer meets the qualifications of a GA
program for this report. Two states, however, removed time limits for disabled
persons. Three of the 35 state GA programs and 1 county program increased or
established durational residency requirements. Two states, Illinois and Pennsylvania,
eliminated their durational residency requirements, although this was primarily
the result of court findings that the durational residency requirements were
unconstitutional.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s many states have tightened nonfinancial eligibility
requirements for GA, some eliminating GA programs altogether. A few eligibility
changes to General Assistance programs between 1996 and 1998 appear to have
no relationship with changes at the federal level, but continue this trend of
tightening nonfinancial eligibility requirements. Connecticut eliminated a category
of assistance of employable persons without children, although it did create
an additional category for persons with an impairment that interrupts employment.
The District of Columbia eliminated its General Public Assistance program for
persons awaiting SSI, and Fulton County, Georgia, eliminated assistance for
elderly persons. Two states, Hawaii and Connecticut, lengthened the time a person
must be disabled in order to qualify for General Assistance as temporarily disabled.
Pennsylvania now bars persons receiving health-sustaining medication from cash
assistance, although the state still provides medical assistance to this category
of persons.
Finally, most income eligibility limits and resource limits remained unchanged,
failing to adjust for inflation. However, eight of the state GA programs and
two of the county programs did increase income limits, and one state decreased
income limits. In addition, six state GA programs increased resource limits,
seven states increased the exemption for an automobile, and four states altered
their earned income disregards.
Other Miscellaneous Changes
Considerable speculation has occurred since the passage of PRWORA concerning
"second-order devolution," that is, devolution of administrative and policy
control of safety net programs from states to counties. While counties are already
more likely to have greater authority over GA programs than TANF programs, we
found no evidence that states are devolving more authority to their counties
in the area of General Assistance. One state, in fact, made changes in the opposite
direction. Connecticut, the only state to make a major change in the administration
of its GA program, is now moving from a county-administrated system to a state-administrated
system.
Eight states indicated making changes to their work program within the past
two years, including five states that eliminated their work program. In each
of these five states, however, the work program was removed because the GA program
no longer serves employable persons in families with children (such as two-parent
families) because of transferring the responsibility for these persons to their
state TANF program, as described earlier.
Six states report changes to their medical assistance programs, including the
elimination of GA medical assistance in Indiana and the creation of a medical
assistance program for immigrants in Oregon.
Finally, one state GA program added a fingerprinting requirement and three
state GA programs added a drug screening or treatment requirement.
References
Falk, Gene, Carmen Soloman-Fears,
Tom Gabe, Melinda Gish, and Shirene Hansotia. 1998. Welfare Reform: Financial
Eligibility Rules and Benefit Amounts under TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families). Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service.
Office of Research, Evaluation and
Statistics, Social Security Administration. 1998. State Assistance Programs
for SSI Recipients, January 1998. Washington, DC.
Uccello, Cori E., Heather R. McCallum,
and L. Jerome Gallagher. 1996. State General Assistance Programs,
1996. Washington, DC: The Urban Institute.
Zimmerman, Wendy N., and Karen C.
Tumlin. Forthcoming. Patchwork Policies: State Assistance for Immigrants
under Welfare Reform. Washington, DC: The Urban Institute.
About
the Authors
L. Jerome Gallagher
is a research associate with the Urban Institute's Income and Benefits Policy
Center. His research interests include welfare reform, general assistance, and
poverty. For the Assessing the New Federalism project, he conducted
case studies on income support and social services in Mississippi and Texas.
He is also the co-author of One Year after Federal Welfare Reform: A Description
of State Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Decisions as of October
1997.
Cori E. Uccello
is an actuary and research associate in the Urban Institute's Income and Benefits
Policy Center. Her work focuses on income security during retirement and health
insurance policy.
Alicia B. Pierce
is a former research intern with the Urban Institute's Income and Benefits Policy
Center. She is currently a graduate student at the University of Michigan School
of Public Policy. Her research interests include social welfare policy, the
sociology and history of race and ethnicity in America, and the intersection
of law and policy.
Erin B. Reidy
is a former research intern with the Urban Institute's Income and Benefits Policy
Center. She is currently a doctoral student in sociology at the University of
Michigan. Her research interests include social demography, gender, and health.
Notes
1. States
with a state GA program are Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut,
Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas,
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada,
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
2. States without a state GA program, but with
at least one county with a county GA program, are Florida, Georgia, Kentucky,
Montana, North Carolina, and North Dakota.
3. States with neither a state GA program nor
a county GA program are Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma,
South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
4. Caution is advised, however, when comparing
the generosity of states in providing benefits to some populations served by
General Assistance programs, especially families with children, because some
states may serve these populations through other assistance programs (e.g.,
TANF and TANF Maintenance of Effort programs).
5. The 1996 General Assistance Survey follows
similar studies conducted in 1992, 1989, 1982, 1978, 1969, and 1959.
6. Nebraska, which has a uniform state GA program
for disabled individuals, also requires counties to provide General Assistance
to needy residents not covered by the state GA program.
7. Colorado has a statewide uniform General
Assistance program for disabled persons, but no other requirements for a GA
program. However, some counties provide General Assistance to needy residents
not covered by the state GA program.
8. State officials were asked if any counties
in the state provided county-based General Assistance. In addition, county officials
from the largest counties in states without state GA programs were asked if
their county provided General Assistance. If more than one county in the state
was identified as having a General Assistance program, information from the
largest county with a program was included in this report.
9. Two of these 10 states (Alaska and Nebraska)
have a GA program with categorical eligibility requirements in addition to a
GA program without categorical eligibility requirements.
10. Individuals eligible for GA with a permanent
disability may also be awaiting determination for Social Security Disability
Insurance (SSDI). Throughout the report, however, only SSI will be referenced,
because individuals with a permanent disability who meet the generally low GA
income eligibility limits are more likely to receive SSI than SSDI.
11. While some states provide assistance for
immigrants no longer eligible for SSI through a GA program, some states also
provide assistance to immigrants through SSI state supplement programs that
are not included in this report.
12. Some GA programs also provide limited
assistance to families that are currently receiving TANF, but usually only in
emergency situations.
13. The 1969 Supreme Court case Shapiro
v. Thompson found that denying benefits to new residents was unconstitutional,
and most state attempts to impose durational residency requirements since then
have been struck down. Many of the durational residency requirements for General
Assistance are currently being challenged in state and federal courts, and as
a result, some may no longer be in effect.
14. PRWORA created the new categories of "qualified"
and "unqualified" immigrants. Qualified immigrants include legal permanent residents,
refugees, ayslees, and some other categories of immigrants. Unqualified immigrants
include illegal immigrants and the categories of legal immigrants referred to
as PRUCOL (Persons Residing Under Cover of Law) immigrants. Legal immigrants
include all qualified immigrants plus other legal immigrants excluded from the
category of qualified immigrants, such as PRUCOLs, but do not include temporary
aliens, such as students or tourists, or illegal or undocumented aliens.
15. For more information on immigrant eligibility
for state and federal assistance programs, see Zimmermann and Tumlin.
16. PRWORA mandates that all states use EBT
accounts for Food Stamp benefits by the year 2002.
17. States that provide a cash benefit include
the 24 states that provide a cash benefit to all recipients and the 3 states
that provide a cash benefit to some categories of recipients. States that provide
voucher or vendor payments or a mix of voucher vendor payments and cash to all
recipients are excluded. The percent of poverty is calculated using the 1998
poverty guidelines ($8,050 per year for one person in the 48 contiguous states).
18. Combined SSI and state supplement benefit
maximums are as of January 1998 as reported in State Assistance Programs
for SSI Recipients, January 1998, Social Security Administration, Office
of Research, Evaluation, and Statistics, Washington, DC, June 1998. TANF benefit
maximums are as of January 1998 as reported in Falk et al.
19. Programs that provide assistance on a
one-time basis, or for only 1 month in a 12-month period, are considered Emergency
Assistance programs and are not included in this report.
20. However, the restrictions on providing
assistance to children who are not living with a parent or relative caretaker
do apply to state funds that count toward the Maintenance of Effort requirements.
Figures and
Tables
| Table 1: Summary of General Assistance Programs, by State, Summer 1998 |
| |
Categorical Eligibility2 |
|
| States with State GA Programs1 |
GA
Program
Availability and
Variability
Within State |
Disabled,
Elderly, and
Other Unemployable |
Children
and Families
with Children |
Employable
Adults Without Children |
Maximum
Individual Cash Benefit
as a Percentage of Poverty3 |
Time
Limits4 |
Medical
Assistance5 |
| Alaska |
Uniform
Statewide |
X |
X |
X |
33% |
|
X |
| Arizona |
Uniform
Statewide |
X |
|
|
26% |
All |
|
| California
(Los Angeles County) |
Statewide/County
Variability |
X |
X |
X |
33% |
Some |
X |
| Colorado |
Uniform
Statewide |
X |
|
|
34% |
Some |
|
| Connecticut |
Uniform
Statewide |
X |
X |
|
52% |
|
X |
| Delaware |
Uniform
Statewide |
|
X |
|
18% |
|
X* |
| District
of Columbia |
Uniform
Statewide |
X |
X |
|
36% |
|
X* |
| Hawaii |
Uniform
Statewide |
X |
|
|
44% |
|
X* |
| Idaho
(Ada County) |
Statewide/County
Variability |
X |
|
|
vp/v |
|
X |
| Illinois
(City of Chicago) |
Statewide/County
Variability |
X |
X |
|
32% |
|
X |
| Indiana
(Center Township of Marion County) |
Statewide/County
Variability |
X |
X |
X |
vp/v |
|
|
| Iowa
(Polk County) |
Statewide/County
Variability |
X |
X |
X |
vp/v |
|
|
| Kansas |
Uniform
Statewide |
X |
|
|
29% |
|
X |
| Maine |
Uniform
Statewide |
X |
X |
X |
vp/v |
|
X |
| Maryland |
Uniform
Statewide |
X |
|
|
17% |
Some |
X |
| Massachusetts |
Uniform
Statewide |
X |
X |
|
51% |
|
X* |
| Michigan |
Uniform
Statewide |
X |
|
|
37% |
|
X |
| Minnesota |
Uniform
Statewide |
X |
X |
|
30% |
|
X |
| Missouri |
Uniform
Statewide |
X |
X |
|
12% |
|
X |
| Nebraska6 |
Uniform
Statewide |
X |
X |
X |
96% |
|
X |
| Nevada
(Clark County) |
Statewide/County
Variability |
X |
X |
X |
41% |
|
X |
| New
Hampshire (City of Manchester) |
Statewide/County
Variability |
X |
X |
X |
vp/v |
|
X |
| New
Jersey |
Uniform
Statewide |
X |
X |
X |
31% |
All |
X |
| New
Mexico |
Uniform
Statewide |
X |
X |
|
34% |
|
|
| New
York |
Uniform
Statewide |
X |
X |
X |
52% |
Some |
X* |
| Ohio |
Uniform
Statewide |
X |
X |
|
17% |
|
X |
| Oregon |
Uniform
Statewide |
X |
|
|
44% |
|
X* |
| Pennsylvania |
Uniform
Statewide |
X |
X |
|
32% |
Some |
X |
| Rhode
Island |
Uniform
Statewide |
X |
|
|
30%
|
|
X |
| South
Dakota (Minnehaha County) |
Statewide/County
Variability |
X |
X |
X |
vp/v |
|
X |
| Utah |
Uniform
Statewide |
X |
|
X |
46% |
Some |
X |
| Vermont |
Uniform
Statewide |
X |
X |
X |
vp/v |
Some |
X |
| Virginia
(Fairfax County) |
Some
Counties |
X |
X |
|
33% |
Some |
X |
| Washington |
Uniform
Statewide |
X |
X |
|
52% |
|
X |
| Wisconsin
(Dane County) |
Some
Counties |
X |
|
|
37% |
|
X |
| Total
|
34 |
24 |
13 |
37% |
10 |
30
|
| States
without State GA Programs1 |
| Alabama |
No
Program |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Arkansas |
No
Program |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Florida
(Dade County) |
Some
Counties |
X |
X |
|
33% |
All |
|
| Georgia
(Fulton County) |
Some
Counties |
X |
|
|
34% |
|
|
| Kentucky
(Jefferson County) |
Some
Counties |
X |
X |
|
vp/v |
All |
|
| Louisiana |
No
Program |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Mississippi |
No
Program |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Montana
(Yellowstone County) |
Some
Counties |
X |
|
|
vp/v |
|
X |
| North
Carolina (Durham County) |
Some
Counties |
X |
|
|
vp/v |
All |
X |
| North
Dakota (Cass County) |
Some
Counties |
X |
|
|
vp/v |
All |
|
| Oklahoma |
No
Program |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| South
Carolina |
No
Program |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Tennessee |
No
Program |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Texas |
No
Program |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| West
Virginia |
No
Program |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Wyoming |
No
Program |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total
|
|
6 |
2 |
0 |
33% |
4 |
2 |
Notes:
1
Information for states in which eligibility rules vary by county reflects
the rules in effect for the county specified in parentheses.
2.
States indicated as covering persons in a specific category may cover
one or more of its subcategories.
3.
Figures were determined by using Poverty Guidelines for 1998 ($8,050
for one person in the 48 contiguous states).
vp/v=most benefits are in the form of vendor payments or vouchers.
4.
All = All recipients are subject to the time limit. Some = only some
categories of recipients are subject to the time limits. Note: states may
limit the duration of General Assistance receipt in ways other than time
limits. See "General Assistance Program Benefits and Duration."
5.
X* = Medical Assistance is provided through the state's Medicaid program.
6. Nebraska
has a statewide GA program for disabled persons; GA programs for other persons
may vary by county. Information in table reflects state guidelines.
Source: Urban
Institute 1998
Table 2: General
Assistance Program Requirements, Administration, and Funding
(Summer 1998)
State GA Programs
|
State
|
State Program Name
|
State Program Description/Requirements
|
Administration
|
Funding Source
|
|
Alabama
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Alaska
|
1. General Relief
2. Interim Assistance
|
1. Statewide program with uniform benefit
schedule and eligibility rules.
2. Statewide program with uniform benefit
schedule and eligibility rules.
|
State
|
State
|
|
Arizona
|
General Assistance
|
Statewide program with uniform benefit schedule
and eligibility rules.
|
State
|
State
|
|
Arkansas
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
California
|
General Relief
|
State requires all counties to provide General
Relief programs. The benefit schedule and eligibility rules vary across
the state. The state maintains policy control, decides program scope,
and sets minimum benefit levels. The counties set specific benefit schedule
and eligibility rules.
|
State supervised,
County administered
|
County
|
|
Colorado
|
Aid to the Needy Disabled
|
Statewide program with uniform benefit schedule
and eligibility rules.
|
State supervised, County administered
|
State/County
|
|
Connecticut
|
State Administered General Assistance (SAGA)
|
Statewide GA program. The eligibility rules
are uniform throughout the state except in the city of Norwich. The benefit
schedule for families varies according to living costs in three regions
of the state.
|
Statea
|
Stateb
|
|
Delaware
|
General Assistance
|
Statewide program with uniform benefit schedule
and eligibility rules.
|
State
|
State
|
|
District of Columbia
|
General Public Assistance for Children (GAC)
|
Districtwide program with uniform benefit
schedule and eligibility rules.
|
District
|
District
|
|
Florida
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Georgia
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Hawaii
|
General Assistance
|
Statewide program with uniform benefit schedule
and eligibility rules.
|
State
|
State
|
|
Idaho
|
General Assistance
|
State code mandates that all counties operate
a General Assistance program to provide for the necessities of life and
necessary medical services for the poor. The benefit schedule and eligibility
rules vary across the state.
|
County
|
County
|
|
Illinois
|
1. Transitional Assistance
2. Family and Children Assistance
|
The state requires all local units to operate
General Assistance programs.c The benefit schedule and eligibility
rules vary across the state. The city of Chicago and all other local units
that receive state funds (approximately 60 localities) must follow the
benefit schedule and eligibility rules established by the Illinois Department
of Public Aid. The remaining localities, which do not receive state funds
(approximately 1,400 localities), establish their standards and policies
locally.
|
City of Chicago: State
All other localities:
State supervised,
Locally administered
|
City of Chicago and approx. 60 other localities:
State/Local
All other localities: Local
|
|
Indiana
|
Poor Relief
|
State requires all township trustees to provide
a Poor Relief program for persons in need. The benefit schedule and eligibility
rules vary across the state's 1,009 townships.
|
Local
|
Local
|
|
Iowa
|
General Assistance
|
State law requires all counties to operate
a GA program to serve the poor. The program design, benefit schedule,
and eligibility rules are determined by each county and vary across the
state.
|
County
|
County
|
|
Kansas
|
General Assistance
|
Statewide program with uniform eligibility
rules. The benefit schedule varies across the state. Each county determines
benefits based on one of four schedules depending on the cost of living
in each county.
|
State
|
State
|
|
Kentucky
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Louisiana
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Maine
|
General Assistance
|
Statewide program. State law requires that
municipalities provide general assistance programs and 95% of towns have
adopted a standard ordinance developed by the Maine Municipal Association.
Eligibility rules are similar in most localities, but benefit schedules
vary according to local housing costs in each community.
|
State supervised,
Locally administeredd
|
State/Local
|
|
Maryland
|
Transitional Emergency Medical and Housing
Assistance (TEMHA)
|
Statewide program with uniform benefit schedule
and eligibility rules.
|
State supervised, County administered
|
State
|
|
Massachusetts
|
Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and
Children (EAEDC)
|
Statewide program with uniform benefit schedule
and eligibility rules.
|
State
|
State
|
|
Michigan
|
State Disability Assistance
|
Statewide program with uniform benefit schedule
and eligibility rules.
|
State
|
State
|
|
Minnesota
|
General Assistance
|
Statewide program with uniform benefit schedule
and eligibility rules.
|
State supervised, County administered
|
State
|
|
Mississippi
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Missouri
|
General Relief
|
Statewide program with uniform benefit schedule
and eligibility rules.
|
State
|
State
|
|
Montana
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Nebraska
|
1. State Disability Program (SDP)
2. County General Assistance
|
1. Statewide program with uniform benefit
schedule and eligibility rules.
2. State requires all counties to provide
General Assistance to meet the needs of persons not eligible for other
assistance programs. 56 counties contract with the state Department of
Social Services (DSS) for administration of their GA programs. For these
counties, DSS sets benefit schedule and eligibility rules according to
uniform guidelines. The remaining 37 counties retain administrative responsibility
and set their own benefit schedule and eligibility rules.
|
1. State
2. State supervised, State/County administered
|
1. State
2. County
|
|
Nevada
|
Direct Assistance Service (DAS)
|
State requires all counties to provide Direct
Assistance Services. The benefit schedule and eligibility rules are determined
by each county and vary across the state.
|
County
|
County
|
|
New Hampshire
|
City Welfare
|
State law mandates that localities care for
the poor. The state also sets broad eligibility criteria. Specific eligibility
rules and benefit schedules are determined locally.
|
State supervised, Locally administered
|
Local
|
|
New Jersey
|
Work First New Jersey/ General Assistance
|
Statewide program with uniform benefit schedule
and eligibility rules.
|
State supervised, County/Locally administered
|
State/County/
Local
|
|
New Mexico
|
General Assistance
|
Statewide program with uniform benefit schedule
and eligibility rules.
|
State
|
State
|
|
New York
|
Safety Net Assistance (SNA)
|
Statewide program with uniform eligibility
rules. The benefit schedule varies across counties, based on shelter and
heating costs.
|
State supervised, County administered
|
State/County
|
|
North Carolina
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
North Dakota
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Ohio
|
Disability Assistance
|
Statewide program with uniform benefit schedule
and eligibility rules.
|
State supervised, County administered
|
State/County
|
|
Oklahoma
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Oregon
|
1. General Assistance
2. Temporary Assistance Program
|
1. Statewide program with uniform benefit
schedule and eligibility rules.
2. Statewide program with uniform benefit
schedule and eligibility rules.
|
State
|
State
|
|
Pennsylvania
|
General Assistance
|
Statewide program
with uniform eligibility rules. The benefit schedule varies according
to shelter costs in four categories of counties.
|
State
|
State
|
|
Rhode Island
|
General Public Assistance-Bridge
Fund
|
Statewide program
with uniform benefit schedule and eligibility rules.
|
State
|
State
|
|
South Carolina
|
No
state General Assistance program or requirements. No county General Assistance
programs.
|
|
South Dakota
|
Poor Relief
|
The state requires
all counties to pay for indigent hospital care and to provide relief for
the poor and indigent. The benefit schedule and eligibility rules are
determined by each county and vary across the state.
|
County
|
County
|
|
Tennessee
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Texas
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Utah
|
1. GA-Self-Sufficiency (GA-SS)
2. GA-Working Toward Employment Program (GA-WTE)
|
1. Statewide program with uniform benefit
schedule and eligibility rules.
2. Statewide program with uniform benefit
schedule and eligibility rules.
|
State
|
State
|
|
Vermont
|
General Assistance
|
Statewide program with uniform eligibility
rules. The benefit schedule is uniform across the state except for Chittenden
County, which calculates benefits using a higher housing maximum.
|
State
|
State
|
|
Virginia
|
General Relief
|
The state provides guidelines for an optional
General Relief (GR) program. Localities may choose to provide a General
Relief program, and those that do so must operate it within state guidelines.
Assistance is not provided across the state, although 88% of localities
(107) participate in the GR program. The benefit schedule and eligibility
rules vary across the participating counties. The state guidelines offer
a range of options from which the localities may fashion a GR program
that suits local needs.
|
State supervised, Locally
administered
|
State/Local
|
|
Washington
|
General Assistance
|
Statewide program with uniform benefit schedule
and eligibility rules.
|
State
|
State
|
|
West Virginia
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Wisconsin
|
Relief Block Grant Program
|
The Relief Block Grant Program is an optional
block grant that provides state funds to counties for medical and nonmedical
(cash) General Relief programs. Counties may choose whether or not to
operate a General Relief program, but counties that choose to have a nonmedical
program must also have a medical program. Of the 72 total counties in
Wisconsin, 31 counties have both a nonmedical program and a medical program,
and 9 counties have only a medical program. The benefit schedule and eligibility
rules vary across participating counties.e
|
State supervised, County administered
|
State/County
|
|
Wyoming
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
County GA Programs
|
State
(Focal County)
|
County Program Name
|
County Program Description/Requirements
|
Administration
|
Funding Source
|
|
Colorado
(City and County of Denver)
|
General Assistance
|
No state requirements. Only six counties
have GA programs in addition to the state Aid to the Needy Disabled program.
|
County
|
County
|
|
Florida
(Miami Dade County)
|
Direct Financial Assistance
|
No state General Assistance program or requirements.
Most counties do not have a GA program.
|
County
|
County
|
|
Georgia
(Fulton County)
|
General Assistance
|
No state General Assistance program or requirements.
Most counties do not have a GA program.
|
County
|
County
|
|
Kentucky
(Jefferson County)
|
Emergency Financial Assistance
|
No state General Assistance program or requirements.
Only two counties have programs. The benefit schedule and eligibility
rules are determined by each county.
|
County
|
County
|
|
Montana
(Yellowstone County)
|
General Relief
|
No state General Assistance program or requirements.
Most counties do not have a GA program.
|
County
|
County
|
|
North Carolina
(Durham County)
|
County Emergency Assistance
|
No state General Assistance program or requirements.
Some counties have GA programs.
|
County
|
County
|
|
North Dakota
(Cass
County)
|
General Assistance
|
No state General Assistance programs or requirements.f
Some counties have GA programs.
|
County
|
County
|
Source: Urban
Institute 1998
a. Connecticut. The state administers SAGA in local
offices with the exception of the city of Norwich, which administers its own
GA program.
b. Connecticut. In the city of Norwich, the state
funds 100 percent of program costs and Norwich pays for administrative costs.
c. Illinois. In addition to Chicago, there are
1,455 local governmental units, of which 2 are cities, 17 are counties, and
the remaining 1,436 are townships.
d. Maine. The state administers the program in
unorganized territories of the state.
e. Wisconsin. Counties with a population of 500,000
or more (currently only Milwaukee County) are prohibited by state statute from
having a non-medical program but they may have a medical program.
f. North Dakota (Cass County). The state mandates
that counties provide the funds for indigent burials and for indigent health
care. Although Cass County does not have a general assistance medical program,
indigent persons are referred to federally funded sliding-fee clinics.
Table 3: General
Assistance Categories of Eligibility
(Summer 1998)
State GA Programs
|
State
(Focal County)
|
Disabled, Elderly,
and Other Unemployable Personsa
|
Children and
Families with Children
|
Employable Adults
without Children
|
|
Alabama
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Alaska
1. General Relief Assistance
2. Interim Assistance
|
1. All categories of financially needy persons
who do not qualify for federally funded cash assistance programs.
2. Elderly, blind, or disabled persons awaiting
SSI determination.
|
1. All categories of financially needy persons
who do not qualify for federally funded cash assistance programs.
2. Not eligible
|
1. All categories of financially needy persons
who do not qualify for federally funded cash assistance programs.
2. Not eligible
|
|
Arizona
|
Persons who are disabled at least 12 months;
caretakers of disabled individuals; and married couples if both meet eligibility
criteria and have no children.
|
Not eligible
|
Not eligible
|
|
Arkansas
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
California
(Los Angeles County)
|
All categories of financially needy persons
who are not receiving or do not qualify for federally funded cash assistance
programs.
|
|
Colorado
Aid to the Needy
Disabled
|
Persons ages 1859 who are disabled at least
six months.
|
Not eligible
|
Not eligible
|
|
Connecticut
|
Unemployable individuals who are unable to
work for six months of more, full-time high school students 18 and over,
over age 65, over age 55 with a history of chronic unemployment, caretakers
of an incapacitated spouse or child, awaiting SSI determination, or VISTA
volunteers.
Transitional individuals who are persons
with a disability lasting at least six months, or persons with a recent
connection to the labor force with a disability lasting from two to six
months.
|
Families who are categorically ineligible
for Connecticut's TANF program (e.g., families with unattached children);
emancipated minors under age 16 or ages 16 to 17 and in high school (emancipated
minors are categorized as "unemployable" for the benefit calculation).
|
Not eligible
|
|
Delaware
|
Persons who are temporarily or permanently
disabled, elderly (55 and over), caretakers of disabled persons, or expecting
to graduate from high school within two years.
|
Unattached children; emancipated minors who
will graduate from high school within two years.b
|
Not eligible
|
|
District of Columbia
|
Not eligible
|
Unattached children
|
Not eligible
|
|
Florida
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Georgia
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Hawaii
|
Single persons or couples between the ages
of 18 and 65 who have a disability that precludes gainful employment for
at least 60 days.
|
Not eligible
|
Not eligible
|
|
Idaho
(Ada County)
|
Disabled personsc
|
Not eligible
|
Not eligible
|
|
Illinois
(City of Chicago)
1. Transitional Assistance
2. Family and Children Assistance
|
1. Unemployable persons: disabled, unless
disability based solely on substance abuse; over 55 with limited work
history; caretakers for disabled; homeless as a result of a court order,
domestic violence, or natural disaster; full-time high school or vocational
student under age 20; persons required to take certain prescription medicines.
2. Not eligible
|
1. Not eligible
2. Families with unattached children under
age 18. Families with unattached 18-year-old, full-time high school student
expected to graduate before age 19.
|
1. Not eligible
2. Not eligible
|
|
Indiana
(Center Township
of Marion County)
|
All categories of financially needy persons.
|
|
Iowa
(Polk County)
|
All categories of financially needy persons
who are not receiving or do not qualify for federally funded cash assistance.
|
|
Kansas
|
Disabled persons awaiting SSI determination
and caretakers of disabled persons; couples who meet eligibility criteria.
|
Not eligible
|
Not eligible
|
|
Kentucky
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Louisiana
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Maine
|
All categories of financially needy persons.
|
|
Maryland
|
Persons with a medical disability that precludes
employment for at least three months.
|
Not eligible
|
Not eligible
|
|
Massachusetts
|
Persons disabled at least 60 days who are
ineligible for SSI or awaiting SSI determination; elderly persons over
age 65 waiting to become eligible for SSI; students under age 21 in a
school or training program; caretakers of disabled persons; participants
in the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission Program.
|
Families categorically ineligible for Massachusetts's
TANF program (e.g., families with unattached children, two-parent families
without sufficient work histories).
|
Not eligible
|
|
Michigan
|
Individuals or couples who are disabled or
65 and older receiving SSI; awaiting SSI determination; temporarily disabled
for at least 90 days; Special Education students under age 26; caretakers
of disabled persons; in a residential substance abuse treatment center,
adult foster care, home for the aged, or county infirmary.
|
Not eligible
|
Not eligible
|
|
Minnesota
|
Elderly (over age 55), persons with a mental
or physical disability that is permanent or temporary; caretakers of disabled
persons; women in battered women's shelters; persons residing in a group
residential home; persons with excessive travel time to job; persons unemployable
as determined by a vocational specialist; persons performing court-ordered
services; full-time students eligible for displaced homemaker services;
high school students over age 18 whose primary language is not English;
persons with a learning disability; persons with a drug or alcohol addiction.
|
Unattached children; emancipated minors.
|
Not eligible
|
|
Mississippi
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Missouri
|
Persons with temporary disabilities lasting
at least 90 days; persons with a permanent disability waiting to become
eligible for SSI; caretakers of disabled persons.
|
Emancipated minorsd
|
Not eligible
|
|
Montana
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Nebraska
1.
State Disability Program
2. County General Assistancee
|
1. Persons ages 2164 with disabilities lasting
at least six months, including those awaiting SSI determination.
2. All categories of financially needy persons
who are not receiving or do not qualify for federally funded cash assistance.
|
1. Not eligible
2. All categories of financially needy persons
who are not receiving or do not qualify for federally funded cash assistance.
|
1. Not eligible
2. All categories of financially needy
persons who are not receiving or do not qualify for federally funded cash
assistance.
|
|
Nevada
(Clark
County)
|
All categories of financially needy persons
who are not receiving or do not qualify for federally funded cash assistance.
|
|
New Hampshire
(City
of Manchester)
|
All categories of financially needy persons
who are not receiving or do not qualify for federally funded cash assistance.
|
|
New Jersey
|
Individuals at least 18 years old who are
unemployable due to temporary or permanent disability.
|
Emancipated minors 16 or older.
|
Employable individuals at least 18 years
old.
|
|
New Mexico
|
Persons with a temporary disability lasting
at least 30 days; persons with a permanent disability.
|
Unattached children; immigrant families ineligible
for TANF.
|
Not eligible
|
|
New York
|
All categories of financially needy persons
who are not receiving or do not qualify for federally funded cash assistance.
|
|
North Carolina
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
North Dakota
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Ohio
|
Persons disabled for at least nine months,
elderly (60 years or older), persons actively participating in a treatment
program certified by the Ohio Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services.
|
Unattached children; pregnant women in first
two trimesters.
|
Not eligible
|
|
Oklahoma
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Oregon
1.
General Assistance
2. Temporary Assistance Program
|
1. Persons disabled for at least 12 months
and awaiting SSI determination; persons with a disability needing long-term
care services.
2. Disabled persons who are ineligible for
SSI because of their alien status.
|
1. Not eligible
2. Not eligible
|
1. Not eligible
2. Not eligible
|
|
Pennsylvania
|
Persons with a temporary or permanent disability;
persons with active participation in a drug or alcohol program that precludes
employment; caretaker of disabled person; victims of domestic violence;
full-time students ages 18 to 20 in a secondary school or equivalent program.
|
Pregnant women ineligible for TANF; children
who are ineligible for TANF (including unattached children, emancipated
minors, children in two-parent families ineligible for TANF); parents
in a two-parent family caring for a GA-eligible child under age 13, caretakers
of a GA-eligible, unattached child under age 13.
|
Not eligible
|
|
Rhode Island
|
Disabled persons awaiting SSI determination.f
|
Not eligible
|
Not eligible
|
|
South Carolina
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
South Dakota
(Minnehaha
County)
|
All categories of financially needy persons
in emergency need.
|
|
Tennessee
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Texas
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Utah
1. GA-Self- Sufficiency
2. GA-Working Toward Employment
|
1. Single adults or married couples without
children who face barriers to employment for at least 30 days as determined
by a medical exam.
2. Not eligible
|
1. Not eligible
2. Not eligible
|
1. Not eligible
2. Able-bodied single adults or married couples
with no children who lack skills for employment.
|
|
Vermont
|
Elderly age 65 or older; persons disabled
for at least 30 days.
|
Families with children (pending TANF assistance).
|
Able-bodied adults with two of the following
barriers to employment: age 55 or older, eighth-grade education or below,
illiterate, employed less than 6 months in the past 5 years and has been
a full-time student less than 6 months in the past 5 years, released from
a mental institution in the past 6 months, or currently in a drug treatment
program for no more than 36 months.
|
|
Virginia
(Fairfax
County)
|
Persons awaiting SSI determination; persons
ineligible for SSI or TANF and unemployable for at least 30 days due to
disability, age, lack of training, illness in the family, or home responsibilities;
persons in institutional care.
|
Unattached children; emancipated minors.
|
Not eligible
|
|
Washington
|
General Assistance-Unemployable
(GA-U): persons who are unemployable due
to a disability (physical or mental) lasting at least 90 days.
|
General Assistance for Pregnant Women (GA-S):
pregnant women in first two trimesters. General Assistance for children
living with a court-appointed legal guardian (GA-H): unattached children.
|
Not eligible
|
|
West Virginia
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Wisconsin
(Dane County)
|
Persons under age 65 who are unemployable
due to a temporary or permanent disability (including drug or alcohol
addiction).
|
Not eligible
|
Not eligible
|
|
Wyoming
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
County GA Programs
|
State
(Focal County)
|
County Program Name
|
County Program Description/Requirements
|
Administration
|
Funding Source
|
|
Colorado
(City and County of Denver)
|
General Assistance
|
No state requirements. Only six counties
have GA programs in addition to the state Aid to the Needy Disabled program.
|
County
|
County
|
|
Florida
(Miami Dade County)
|
Direct Financial Assistance
|
No state General Assistance program or requirements.
Most counties do not have a GA program.
|
County
|
County
|
|
Georgia
(Fulton County)
|
General Assistance
|
No state General Assistance program or requirements.
Most counties do not have a GA program.
|
County
|
County
|
|
Kentucky
(Jefferson County)
|
Emergency Financial Assistance
|
No state General Assistance program or requirements.
Only two counties have programs. The benefit schedule and eligibility
rules are determined by each county.
|
County
|
County
|
|
Montana
(Yellowstone County)
|
General Relief
|
No state General Assistance program or requirements.
Most counties do not have a GA program.
|
County
|
County
|
|
North Carolina
(Durham County)
|
County Emergency Assistance
|
No state General Assistance program or requirements.
Some counties have GA programs.
|
County
|
County
|
|
North Dakota
(Cass
County)
|
General Assistance
|
No state General Assistance programs or requirements.f
Some counties have GA programs.
|
County
|
County
|
Source: Urban
Institute 1998
a. Connecticut. The state administers SAGA in local
offices with the exception of the city of Norwich, which administers its own
GA program.
b. Connecticut. In the city of Norwich, the state
funds 100 percent of program costs and Norwich pays for administrative costs.
c. Illinois. In addition to Chicago, there are
1,455 local governmental units, of which 2 are cities, 17 are counties, and the remaining 1,436 are townships.
d. Maine. The state administers the program in
unorganized territories of the state.
e. Wisconsin. Counties with a population of 500,000
or more (currently only Milwaukee County) are prohibited by state statute from
having a non-medical program but they may have a medical program.
f. North Dakota (Cass County). The state mandates
that counties provide the funds for indigent burials and for indigent health
care. Although Cass County does not have a general assistance medical program,
indigent persons are referred to federally funded sliding-fee clinics.
Table 3: General
Assistance Categories of Eligibility
(Summer 1998)
State GA Programs
|
State
(Focal County)
|
Disabled, Elderly,
and Other Unemployable Personsa
|
Children and
Families with Children
|
Employable Adults
without Children
|
|
Alabama
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Alaska
1. General Relief Assistance
2. Interim Assistance
|
1. All categories of financially needy persons
who do not qualify for federally funded cash assistance programs.
2. Elderly, blind, or disabled persons awaiting
SSI determination.
|
1. All categories of financially needy persons
who do not qualify for federally funded cash assistance programs.
2. Not eligible
|
1. All categories of financially needy persons
who do not qualify for federally funded cash assistance programs.
2. Not eligible
|
|
Arizona
|
Persons who are disabled at least 12 months;
caretakers of disabled individuals; and married couples if both meet eligibility
criteria and have no children.
|
Not eligible
|
Not eligible
|
|
Arkansas
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
California
(Los Angeles County)
|
All categories of financially needy persons
who are not receiving or do not qualify for federally funded cash assistance
programs.
|
|
Colorado
Aid to the Needy
Disabled
|
Persons ages 1859 who are disabled at least
six months.
|
Not eligible
|
Not eligible
|
|
Connecticut
|
Unemployable individuals who are unable to
work for six months of more, full-time high school students 18 and over,
over age 65, over age 55 with a history of chronic unemployment, caretakers
of an incapacitated spouse or child, awaiting SSI determination, or VISTA
volunteers.
Transitional individuals who are persons
with a disability lasting at least six months, or persons with a recent
connection to the labor force with a disability lasting from two to six
months.
|
Families who are categorically ineligible
for Connecticut's TANF program (e.g., families with unattached children);
emancipated minors under age 16 or ages 16 to 17 and in high school (emancipated
minors are categorized as "unemployable" for the benefit calculation).
|
Not eligible
|
|
Delaware
|
Persons who are temporarily or permanently
disabled, elderly (55 and over), caretakers of disabled persons, or expecting
to graduate from high school within two years.
|
Unattached children; emancipated minors who
will graduate from high school within two years.b
|
Not eligible
|
|
District of Columbia
|
Not eligible
|
Unattached children
|
Not eligible
|
|
Florida
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Georgia
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Hawaii
|
Single persons or couples between the ages
of 18 and 65 who have a disability that precludes gainful employment for at least 60 days.
|
Not eligible
|
Not eligible
|
|
Idaho
(Ada County)
|
Disabled personsc
|
Not eligible
|
Not eligible
|
|
Illinois
(City of Chicago)
1. Transitional Assistance
2. Family and Children Assistance
|
1. Unemployable persons: disabled, unless
disability based solely on substance abuse; over 55 with limited work history; caretakers for disabled; homeless as a result of a court order, domestic violence, or natural disaster; full-time high school or vocational student under age 20; persons required to take certain prescription medicines.
2. Not eligible
|
1. Not eligible
2. Families with unattached children under
age 18. Families with unattached 18-year-old, full-time high school student
expected to graduate before age 19.
|
1. Not eligible
2. Not eligible
|
|
Indiana
(Center Township
of Marion County)
|
All categories of financially needy persons.
|
|
Iowa
(Polk County)
|
All categories of financially needy persons
who are not receiving or do not qualify for federally funded cash assistance.
|
|
Kansas
|
Disabled persons awaiting SSI determination
and caretakers of disabled persons; couples who meet eligibility criteria.
|
Not eligible
|
Not eligible
|
|
Kentucky
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Louisiana
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Maine
|
All categories of financially needy persons.
|
|
Maryland
|
Persons with a medical disability that precludes
employment for at least three months.
|
Not eligible
|
Not eligible
|
|
Massachusetts
|
Persons disabled at least 60 days who are
ineligible for SSI or awaiting SSI determination; elderly persons over
age 65 waiting to become eligible for SSI; students under age 21 in a
school or training program; caretakers of disabled persons; participants
in the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission Program.
|
Families categorically ineligible for Massachusetts's
TANF program (e.g., families with unattached children, two-parent families
without sufficient work histories).
|
Not eligible
|
|
Michigan
|
Individuals or couples who are disabled or
65 and older receiving SSI; awaiting SSI determination; temporarily disabled
for at least 90 days; Special Education students under age 26; caretakers
of disabled persons; in a residential substance abuse treatment center,
adult foster care, home for the aged, or county infirmary.
|
Not eligible
|
Not eligible
|
|
Minnesota
|
Elderly (over age 55), persons with a mental
or physical disability that is permanent or temporary; caretakers of disabled
persons; women in battered women's shelters; persons residing in a group
residential home; persons with excessive travel time to job; persons unemployable
as determined by a vocational specialist; persons performing court-ordered
services; full-time students eligible for displaced homemaker services;
high school students over age 18 whose primary language is not English;
persons with a learning disability; persons with a drug or alcohol addiction.
|
Unattached children; emancipated minors.
|
Not eligible
|
|
Mississippi
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Missouri
|
Persons with temporary disabilities lasting
at least 90 days; persons with a permanent disability waiting to become
eligible for SSI; caretakers of disabled persons.
|
Emancipated minorsd
|
Not eligible
|
|
Montana
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Nebraska
1.
State Disability Program
2. County General Assistancee
|
1. Persons ages 2164 with disabilities lasting
at least six months, including those awaiting SSI determination.
2. All categories of financially needy persons
who are not receiving or do not qualify for federally funded cash assistance.
|
1. Not eligible
2. All categories of financially needy persons
who are not receiving or do not qualify for federally funded cash assistance.
|
1. Not eligible
2. All categories of financially needy
persons who are not receiving or do not qualify for federally funded cash
assistance.
|
|
Nevada
(Clark
County)
|
All categories of financially needy persons
who are not receiving or do not qualify for federally funded cash assistance.
|
|
New Hampshire
(City
of Manchester)
|
All categories of financially needy persons
who are not receiving or do not qualify for federally funded cash assistance.
|
|
New Jersey
|
Individuals at least 18 years old who are
unemployable due to temporary or permanent disability.
|
Emancipated minors 16 or older.
|
Employable individuals at least 18 years
old.
|
|
New Mexico
|
Persons with a temporary disability lasting
at least 30 days; persons with a permanent disability.
|
Unattached children; immigrant families ineligible
for TANF.
|
Not eligible
|
|
New York
|
All categories of financially needy persons
who are not receiving or do not qualify for federally funded cash assistance.
|
|
North Carolina
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
North Dakota
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Ohio
|
Persons disabled for at least nine months,
elderly (60 years or older), persons actively participating in a treatment
program certified by the Ohio Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services.
|
Unattached children; pregnant women in first
two trimesters.
|
Not eligible
|
|
Oklahoma
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Oregon
1.
General Assistance
2. Temporary Assistance Program
|
1. Persons disabled for at least 12 months
and awaiting SSI determination; persons with a disability needing long-term
care services.
2. Disabled persons who are ineligible for
SSI because of their alien status.
|
1. Not eligible
2. Not eligible
|
1. Not eligible
2. Not eligible
|
|
Pennsylvania
|
Persons with a temporary or permanent disability;
persons with active participation in a drug or alcohol program that precludes
employment; caretaker of disabled person; victims of domestic violence;
full-time students ages 18 to 20 in a secondary school or equivalent program.
|
Pregnant women ineligible for TANF; children
who are ineligible for TANF (including unattached children, emancipated
minors, children in two-parent families ineligible for TANF); parents
in a two-parent family caring for a GA-eligible child under age 13, caretakers
of a GA-eligible, unattached child under age 13.
|
Not eligible
|
|
Rhode Island
|
Disabled persons awaiting SSI determination.f
|
Not eligible
|
Not eligible
|
|
South Carolina
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
South Dakota
(Minnehaha
County)
|
All categories of financially needy persons
in emergency need.
|
|
Tennessee
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Texas
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Utah
1. GA-Self- Sufficiency
2. GA-Working Toward Employment
|
1. Single adults or married couples without
children who face barriers to employment for at least 30 days as determined
by a medical exam.
2. Not eligible
|
1. Not eligible
2. Not eligible
|
1. Not eligible
2. Able-bodied single adults or married couples
with no children who lack skills for employment.
|
|
Vermont
|
Elderly age 65 or older; persons disabled
for at least 30 days.
|
Families with children (pending TANF assistance).
|
Able-bodied adults with two of the following
barriers to employment: age 55 or older, eighth-grade education or below,
illiterate, employed less than 6 months in the past 5 years and has been
a full-time student less than 6 months in the past 5 years, released from
a mental institution in the past 6 months, or currently in a drug treatment
program for no more than 36 months.
|
|
Virginia
(Fairfax
County)
|
Persons awaiting SSI determination; persons
ineligible for SSI or TANF and unemployable for at least 30 days due to
disability, age, lack of training, illness in the family, or home responsibilities;
persons in institutional care.
|
Unattached children; emancipated minors.
|
Not eligible
|
|
Washington
|
General Assistance-Unemployable
(GA-U): persons who are unemployable due
to a disability (physical or mental) lasting at least 90 days.
|
General Assistance for Pregnant Women (GA-S):
pregnant women in first two trimesters. General Assistance for children
living with a court-appointed legal guardian (GA-H): unattached children.
|
Not eligible
|
|
West Virginia
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Wisconsin
(Dane County)
|
Persons under age 65 who are unemployable
due to a temporary or permanent disability (including drug or alcohol
addiction).
|
Not eligible
|
Not eligible
|
|
Wyoming
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
County GA Programs
|
State
(Focal
County)
|
Disabled, Elderly, and Other
Unemployable Personsa
|
Children and Families with
Children
|
Employable Adults
without
Children
|
|
Colorado
GA
(City and County of Denver)
|
All categories of financially
needy persons who are not receiving or do not qualify for federally funded
cash assistance programs.
|
|
Florida
(Miami-Dade
County)
|
Persons who were gainfully employed 12 out
of past 18 months before being diagnosed with a short-term disability
and whose income has been interrupted within the past 60 days; disabled
persons awaiting SSI determination; couples without children in which
both are disabled, or one is disabled and the other is unable to work
because of extraordinary circumstances.
|
Families in which both parents are disabled,
or one is disabled and the other is unable to work because of extraordinary
circumstances.
|
Not eligible
|
|
Georgia
(Fulton
County)
|
Disabled persons
|
Not eligible
|
Not eligible
|
|
Kentucky
(Jefferson
County)
|
Persons with a temporary disability and persons
with a permanent disability awaiting SSI determination.g
|
Not eligible
|
Not eligible
|
|
Montana
(Yellowstone County)
|
Elderly and persons with a permanent disability
awaiting SSI determination; persons with a temporary disability ineligible
for SSI.
|
Not eligibleh
|
Not eligible
|
|
North Carolina
(Durham
County)
|
Persons disabled for at least 30 days.i
|
Not eligible
|
Not eligible
|
|
North Dakota (Cass
County)
|
Disabled and elderly persons awaiting SSI
determination.j
|
Not eligiblej
|
Not eligible
|
Source: Urban Institute 1998
a. Unless otherwise specified, "Elderly" refers
to persons who are 65 years old or older.
b. Delaware. Two-parent families with children
are technically eligible for GA, but this category of assistance is not currently
used because they also qualify for TANF. Caretakers of unattached children are
eligible for assistance only if they meet the criteria for unemployable recipients.
c. Idaho (Ada County). All categories of financially
needy persons are eligible for General Assistance benefits. However, able-bodied
adults and families of able-bodied adults are only eligible for one month of
assistance per year.
d. Missouri. Although families of three ineligible
for TANF are technically eligible for General Relief, no family has met the
eligibility requirements in the past four years.
e. Nebraska. Information represents the guidelines
developed by the Nebraska Association of County Officials and the state Department
of Social Services used in the administration of the General Assistance programs
for the 56 of 93 counties that elect to contract with the state.
f. Rhode Island. Persons with a temporary disability
(lasting at least 30 days) are eligible for medical assistance and may receive
an assistance grant for one to two months. Cash assistance for those with a
temporary disability is made on a case-by-case basis dependent on the applicant's
hardship and statement of need. It is not an entitlement and no appeals are
accepted. Disabled couples can also receive benefits, but they are assessed
separately as two individuals.
g. Kentucky (Jefferson County). All categories
of financially needy persons and families are eligible for financial assistance,
but only those recipients who are ill or disabled may receive assistance for
more than one month out of the year.
h. Montana (Yellowstone County). Families are technically
eligible if at least one parent is disabled. In the past four years, however,
no families have received General Relief because they receive TANF.
i. North Carolina (Durham County). Elderly persons
age 62 and over and families with minor children in the home are also eligible
for assistance, but only for one month out of the year.
j. North Dakota (Cass County). Families with or
without children who are homeless due to fire or other natural disaster are
eligible for one month's rent. Homeless persons can receive one week's motel
charges if YWCA is full. Persons who are unemployed due to a temporary disability
and have a 12-month work history and a doctor's verification are eligible for
assistance one month out of every year.
Table 4: General Assistance
Financial Eligibility Criteria
(Summer 1998)
State GA programs
|
State
(Focal County)
|
Monthly Income Eligibility
Limitsa
|
Asset Limits
|
|
One Person
|
Two Persons
|
Three Persons
|
Income Exemptionsb
|
Asset Limit
|
Asset Exemptionsc
|
|
Alabama
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Alaska
1.
General Relief Assistance
2. Interim Assistance
|
1. $300
2. Applicants: $494
Recipients:
$917
|
1. $400
2. Applicants:
$741 (or $494 each)
Recipients:
$1,359 (or $917 each)
|
1. $500
2. Not applicable
|
1. Alaska Permanent Fund Dividendd
2. First $20 of income, $65
of earned income plus half of remaining earnings, the Alaska Permanent
Fund Dividend.
|
1. $500
2. Individual: $2,000
Couple:
$3,000
|
1. Home, one auto, property up for sale or
producing income
2. Home, $4,500 auto, income-producing property
|
|
Arizona
|
$173e
|
$233
|
Not applicable
|
$24 for employment-related expenses
|
$1,000
|
$50,000 home, $1,200 auto, property if living
on it
|
|
Arkansas
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
California
(Los
Angeles County)
|
Applicants: $221
Recipients:
$611 of earned income, $221 of unearned incomef
|
Applicants: $375
Recipients:
$775 of earned income, $375 of unearned income
|
Applicants: $450
Recipients:
$831 of earned income, $450 of unearned income
|
None
|
Individual applicant: $50
Couple applicants: $100
Family of three applicants: $100
Recipients:
$1,500
|
$4,500 auto, $34,000 real property, $1,500
personal property
|
|
Colorado
Aid
to the Needy Disabled
|
$229
|
$458 ($229 each)
|
Not applicable
|
None
|
Individual: $2,000
Couple:
$3,000
|
Home; one auto, if used for employment or
for medical appointments; real property in use
|
|
Connecticut
|
Unemployable: $350
Transitional:
$200
|
$407
|
$500g
|
$150 in gross wages
|
$250 individual;
$500 couple;
$750
family of three
|
Home, $4,500 auto, property for nine months
if making an effort to sell
|
|
Delaware
|
$123
|
$166
|
$224
|
$50 earned income; $160/month dependent care
expenses for each child who resides in the home and receives GA
|
$1,000
|
Home, $1,500 auto, property for six months
|
|
District of Columbiah
|
$239
|
$298
|
$379
|
None
|
$1,000
|
Home and $1,500 auto
|
|
Florida
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Georgia
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Hawaii
|
$1,239
|
$1,674
|
Not applicable
|
20% of earned income, $200 of the remainder,
and then 36% of the remainder
|
$5,000
|
Home, auto, and daily living property
|
|
Idaho
(Ada
County)
|
Determined on a case-by-case basis.i
|
None
|
$0
|
Home and one auto
|
|
Illinois
(City of Chicago)
1.
Transitional Assistance
2. Family and Children Assistance
|
1. $100
2. $212
|
1. Not applicable
2. $278
|
1. Not applicable
2. $377
|
1. $322 of earned income for 3 months out
of a 12-month period; $75 of earned income for employment expenses
2. $90 of earned income for employment expenses
|
$2,000 for one person, $3,000 for two persons
and an additional $50 for each additional person.
|
Home, one auto
|
|
Indiana
(Center
Township of Marion County)
|
$369j
|
$497
|
$626
|
None. However, trustee has discretion to
exempt income.
|
Resources count against income limits.
|
Home, $1,200 auto, income-producing property
|
|
Iowa
(Polk
County)
|
$343
|
$361
|
$426
|
Granted on a case-by- case basis
|
Determined on a case-by-case basis; only
liquid assets are considered.
|
|
Kansask
|
$196
|
$268
|
Not applicable
|
$90 for work expenses; 40% of earned income
|
$2,000
|
Home, one auto, income-producing property
or property essential for employment
|
|
Kentucky
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Louisiana
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Maine
|
Varies by county.
Average:
$387
|
Varies by county.
Average:
$453
|
Varies by county.
Average:
$580
|
Travel and child care expenses for work or
job search
|
Available resources count against income
limits
|
Home, $5,000 auto, income-producing property
|
|
Maryland
|
$0 earned income;
$157
unearned income
|
Not applicable
|
Not applicable
|
None
|
$1,500
|
Home, auto
|
|
Massachusetts
|
$339l
|
$430
|
$522
|
$90 for work expenses; $30 of earnings.
|
$250 individual;
$500
two or morem
|
Home, $1,500 auto
|
|
Michigan
|
$246n
|
$401
|
Not applicable
|
$200 and 20% of remaining earnings.
|
$3,000 in cash resources
|
Home, one auto, property
|
|
Minnesota
|
$203
|
$260
|
Not applicable
|
None
|
$1,000
|
Home, auto for self-employment
|
|
Mississippi
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Missouri
|
$181 (of which no more than $80 can be earned
income)
|
$256 (of which no more than $160 can be earned
income)
|
Not applicable
|
Irregular or unpredictable income.
|
$1,000 individual; $2,000 couple
|
Home
|
|
Montana
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Nebraska
1. State Disability Program
2. County General Assistanceo
|
1. $645
2. $225
|
1. Not applicable
2. $280
|
1. Not applicable
2. $350
|
1. $20 of income, $65 of earned income plus
half of remaining earnings.
2. Reasonable self-employment expenses; $40
work transportation allowance.
|
1. $2,000
2. All available resources count against
income limits.
|
1. Home, $4,500 auto, income-producing property
for 6 months
2. $5,000 home, $1,500 auto
|
|
Nevada
(Clark
County)
|
$277
|
$372
|
$466
|
Determined on a case-by-case basis.
|
$0
|
Home; one auto; second auto for employment
or medical needs; up to five acres of attached property for individuals
who live in rural areas.
|
|
New Hampshire
(City
of Manchester)
|
$0
|
$0
|
$0
|
None
|
$0
|
Home if living in it; one auto for medical
needs or employment.
|
|
New Jersey
|
Employable: $140
Unemployable: $210
|
Employable: $193 Unemployable: $289
|
Not applicable
|
100% of earned income for one month; 50%
of earned income thereafter.
|
$2,000
|
Home, $9,500 autop
|
|
New Mexico
|
$231
|
$310
|
$389
|
Earnings from working over 24 hours a week;
$150 and half of remainder; child care costs; self-employment costs.
|
$2,000 noncash, $1,500 cash resource
|
Home; auto, if public transportation not
available; an additional auto for each work-ready person; savings in individual
development accounts.
|
|
New York
|
$352q
|
$468
|
$577
|
$90 work expenses; earned income tax credit
(EITC). For families with dependent children, 45% of gross income up to
the poverty level.
|
$2,000 in cash or $3,000 if a household member
is over age 60
|
Home; $4,500 auto; personal property necessary
for business or employment; savings in Individual Development Accounts.
|
|
North Carolina
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
North Dakota
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Ohio
|
$115
|
$159
|
$193
|
$250 plus one-half the remainder of earned
income.
|
$1,000
|
Home, $4,650 auto, property if living on
it.
|
|
Oklahoma
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Oregon
1. General Assistance
2.
Temporary Assistance Program
|
1. $298
2. $275
|
1. $596
2. $550
|
1. Not applicable
2. Not applicable
|
14% of earned income
|
$1,500 in total resources of which no more
than $50 can be in cash or other liquid assets
|
Home, $1,500 auto, property
|
|
Pennsylvania
|
$215r
|
$330
|
$421
|
None
|
$250 for an individual;
$1,000 couple and family of three
|
Home, one auto
|
|
Rhode Island
|
$327
|
Not applicable
|
Not applicable
|
First $20 of income,
$65 of earned income plus half of remaining
earnings.
|
$400
|
Home, $1,500 auto
|
|
South Carolina
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
South Dakota
(Minnehaha
County)
|
$658
|
$884
|
$1,111
|
None
|
$0 in liquid resources.
$2,000 in nonliquid resources for an
individual;
$4,000 in nonliquid resources for a couple
or family of three
|
$30,000 home
|
|
Tennessee
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Texas
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Utah
|
$261
|
$362
|
Not applicable
|
$100 of earned income; 50% of the remainder
|
$2,000
|
Home if living in it, $8,000 auto
|
|
Vermont
|
$449 in Chittenden County;
$404
rest of state
|
$554 in Chittenden County;
$508
rest of state
|
$656 in Chitteneden County;
$636
rest of state
|
None
|
$1,500 for elderly or disabled persons; $2,250
for elderly or disabled couples; for all others, resources count against
income limits.
|
Home, auto, real personal property
|
|
Virginia
(Fairfax
County)
|
$220
|
$294
|
$354
|
None
|
$1,000
|
Home if residing in it, one auto, income-
producing property.
|
|
Washington
|
GA-U: $339
GA-S:
$349 GA-H: $349
|
GA-U: $428
GA-H:
$440
|
GA-H: $546
|
20% of earnings, plus $85, plus half the
remainder
|
$1,000
|
Home; $5,000 auto or any auto used to transport
a disabled member; property; $3,000 in an individual development account.
|
|
West Virginia
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Wisconsin
(Dane
County)
|
$247
|
Not applicable
|
Not applicable
|
None
|
$300
|
Home, one auto
|
|
Wyoming
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
County GA Programs
|
State
(Focal
County)
|
Monthly Income Eligibility
Limits
|
Asset Limits
|
|
One Person
|
Two Persons
|
Three Persons
|
Income Exemptions
|
Asset Limit
|
Asset Exemptions
|
|
Colorado
GA
(City and County of Denver)
|
$839s
|
$1,130
|
$1,422
|
None
|
$0
|
One auto
|
|
Florida
(Dade
County)
|
$0
|
$0
|
$0
|
None
|
$0
|
Home, one auto
|
|
Georgia
(Fulton
County)
|
$225
|
$337
|
Not applicable
|
None
|
$400
|
$1,000 auto
|
|
Kentucky
(Jefferson
County)
|
$0
|
$0
|
Not applicable
|
None
|
Determined on a case-by-case basis.
|
|
Montana
(Yellowstone
County)
|
$272
|
$366
|
Not applicable
|
None
|
Resources count against income eligibility
limits.
|
Home, $1,500 auto
|
|
North Carolina
(Durham
County)
|
$724
|
$974
|
Not applicable
|
15% percent of earned income
|
Resources count against income eligibility
limits.
|
Determined on a case-by-case basis.
|
|
North Dakota
(Cass
County)
|
$337t
|
Not applicable
|
Not applicable
|
None
|
$300
|
Home
|
Source: Urban Institute 1998
a. In some states, income limits may differ depending
upon whether the recipients pay their own shelter costs. All of the income limits
listed assume the recipients pay their own shelter costs.
b. Only major income exemptions (such as earned
income and child care exemptions) are listed. In addition to these exemptions,
states may exempt other income, including certain federally provided income
benefits such as WIC benefits, LIHEAP payments, payments to VISTA workers, student
loans, etc.
c. In addition to the equity value of the applicant's
home and auto, other items that do not count against the asset limit may include
personal belongings, insurance, income producing property, tools used for employment,
and burial plots.
d. Alaska. The Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend is
a share of the state's oil profits that are distributed annually to state residents.
e. Arizona. The income limit for individuals not
paying rent is $108, and the income limit for couples not paying rent is $145.
f. California (Los Angeles County). Income limits
for recipients may be lower depending on living arrangements.
g. Connecticut. Income limits for families of three
vary according to living costs in three regions of the state. The information
shown here is for Region B, which includes approximately 90 percent of the caseload.
h. District of Columbia. The income, assets, and
resources of the caretaker of the eligible child are not considered in determining
the eligibility of the child.
i. Idaho (Ada County). Eligibility is determined
by comparing income with expenses for necessities of life. Applicants are expected
to use all current and potential resources before seeking county assistance.
j. Indiana (Center Township of Marion County).
Income limits are 55 percent of the federal poverty level.
k. Kansas. There are four different income limit
and benefit schedules throughout the state, which are based on the cost of living
in each county. The majority of recipients are in counties with the income limits
listed here.
l. Massachusetts. Caretakers are eligible only
if the disabled person's monthly income is less than $1,500.
m. Massachusetts. Caretakers are eligible only
if the disabled person's assets are less than $2,000.
n. Michigan. For individuals living in residential
substance abuse treatment centers, income may not exceed $44/month. For individuals
living in adult foster care or county infirmary, income may not exceed $652/month
for personal care and $581/month for domiciliary. For individuals living in
a home for the aged, income may not exceed $427/month.
o. Nebraska. Information represents the guidelines
developed by the Nebraska Association of County Officials and the state Department
of Social Services used in the administration of the General Assistance programs
for the 56 of 93 counties that elect to contract with the state.
p. New Jersey. A second vehicle may be exempt up
to $4,650 if the assistance unit consists of two adults or if the vehicle is
essential to commute to work or training or to transport a handicapped individual.
q. New York. Values shown are for New York City.
Income eligibility limits vary by county based on shelter and heating costs.
r. Pennsylvania. Monthly income eligibility limits
and benefit levels listed are for those counties with the highest benefit level.
s. Colorado (City and County of Denver). The income
eligibility limits reflect 125 percent of the federal poverty level.
t. North Dakota (Cass County). If rent does not
include heat, income may not exceed $287 per month.
Table 5: Other
General Assistance Eligibility Criteria
(Summer 1998)
State GA Programs
|
State
(Focal
County)
|
Residency Requirement
|
Citizenship Requirementa
|
Drug Screening/Treatment
|
Work Requirement
|
Other Requirements
|
|
Alabama
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Alaska
1.
General Relief Assistance
2. Interim Assistance
|
1. State resident. No durational residency
requirement.
2. State resident. No durational residency
requirement.
|
1. Citizen or legal immigrant
2. Citizen or qualified immigrant who arrived
before 8/23/96.
|
1. None
2. None
|
1. Yes
2. No
|
1. Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
2. Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
|
|
Arizona
|
State resident. No durational residency requirement.
|
Citizen or qualified immigrant (current and
new).
|
None
|
No
|
Applicants must be fingerprinted.
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
|
|
Arkansas
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
California
(Los
Angeles County)
|
County resident for at least 15 days.
|
Citizen or legal immigrant
|
All applicants are screened for drug use.
If applicant fails the screening, they are referred for assessment and
must go into treatment.
|
Yes
|
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
Recipients must seek out any resources.
Applicants,
but not recipients, may not be fully employed.
|
|
Colorado
Aid to the Needy
Disabled
|
State resident. No durational residency requirements.
|
Citizen or legal immigrant
|
Applicants are tested for drug use and recipients
are periodically tested. If drug or alcohol addiction is a recipient's
primary disability, the recipient is required to participate in a treatment
program.
|
None
|
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
Recipients cannot be prison inmate.
Recipients
cannot be diagnosed with a mental disease.
|
|
Connecticut
|
State resident. No durational residency requirement,
except for qualified aliens entering the United States on or after 8/22/96,
who must reside in the state for six months before becoming eligible for
assistance.
|
Citizen or qualified immigrant (current and
new). Immigrants must apply for citizenship to remain eligible for assistance.
|
No screening. However, suspected drug users
are referred for evaluation. Drug-addicted recipients must be in a treatment
program or on a waiting list to remain eligible.
|
No
|
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
Recipients must be fingerprinted
through a Digital Imaging process.
|
|
Delaware
|
State resident. No durational residency requirement.
|
Citizen or qualified immigrant. Qualified
immigrants arriving after 8/22/96 are barred from assistance for the first
five years.
|
None
|
None
|
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible and access all potential resources.
|
|
District of Columbia
|
District resident. No durational residency
requirement.
|
Citizen or qualified immigrant (current and
new).
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
|
Florida
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Georgia
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Hawaii
|
State resident. No durational requirement.
|
Citizen or legal immigrant
|
No screening. However, if recipients are
eligible for GA due to their substance abuse, they are required to participate
in a drug treatment program.
|
None
|
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
|
|
Idaho
(Ada
County)
|
County resident for 30 days.
|
No citizenship requirement
|
No screening. However, those found to be
substance abusers are referred for treatment.
|
None
|
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
Disabled persons awaiting
SSI determination must appeal if denied.
|
|
Illinois
(City
of Chicago)
|
State resident. No durational requirement.
|
Citizen or qualified immigrant.
|
None
|
Yes
|
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
Caretakers must provide
proof of relationship to child or proof that they have legal guardianship.
|
|
Indiana
(Center Township of Marion
County)
|
Township resident for 30 days. Exceptions
may be made on a case-by-case basis.
|
Citizen or qualified immigrant. Qualified
immigrants arriving after 8/22/96 are ineligible for first five years.
Eligible immigrants must apply for citizenship.
|
No screening. However, if recipients do have
a drug problem, they are required to seek and maintain medical treatment.
|
Yes
|
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
Recipients must file charges
if there is spousal abuse. Recipients must file for child support.
|
|
Iowa
(Polk
County)
|
State resident. No durational residency requirement.
|
Citizen or legal immigrant
|
None
|
None
|
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
|
|
Kansas
|
State resident. No durational residency requirement.
|
Citizen or qualified immigrant who applied
for GA before 8/22/96. Qualified immigrants who applied after 8/22/96
are eligible after five years.
|
None
|
None
|
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
|
|
Kentucky
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Louisiana
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Maine
|
Resident of municipality where receiving
benefits. No durational residency requirements.
|
Citizen or legal immigrant
|
No screening. However, no cost treatment
is required if an addiction prevents work.
|
Yes (at town option)
|
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
|
|
Maryland
|
State resident. No durational residency requirements.
|
Citizen or legal immigrant
|
No screening. However, if found to be drug
addicted, recipients must participate in treatment program and have payments
made to a protective payee.
|
None
|
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
|
|
Massachusetts
|
State resident. No durational residency requirement.
|
Citizen or legal immigrant.
Legal
immigrants who applied for EAEDC after 7/1/97 must apply for citizenship.
|
No
|
Yes
|
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
|
|
Michigan
|
State resident. No durational residency requirement.
|
Citizen or qualified immigrant who arrived
before 8/23/96.
|
No screening. However, if a medical evaluation
shows that substance abuse is the primary reason for the disability, the
person is ineligible for assistance. If substance abuse is only a contributing
factor to the disability the person is eligible for assistance but must
seek treatment.
|
None
|
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
Recipients may be required
to follow a treatment plan to resolve their disability.
|
|
Minnesota
|
State resident for at least 30 days.b
|
Citizen or qualified immigrant (current and
new). Immigrants must make effort to become a citizen.c
|
No screening. However, recipients suspected
of drug dependency must participate in a chemical use assessment.
|
None
|
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
All recipients must have
a Social Security number.
|
|
Mississippi
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Missouri
|
State resident. No durational residency requirement.
|
Citizen or legal immigrant
|
None
|
Noned
|
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
Applicants cannot transfer
property in order to become eligible.
|
|
Montana
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Nebraska
1.
State Disability Program
2. County General Assistancee
|
1. State resident. No durational residency
requirement.
2. County resident. No durational residency
requirements.
|
1. Citizen or qualified immigrant (current
and new)
2. Citizen or legal immigrant
|
1. None
2. No screening. However, if drug or alcohol
addiction prevents applicants from working, they will be required to participate
in any no-cost treatment program.
|
1. None
2. Yes
|
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
|
|
Nevada
(Clark
County)
|
County resident. No durational residency
requirement.
|
Citizen or legal immigrant
|
No screening. However, recipients who are
found to have drug or alcohol addiction may be referred to treatment centers.
|
Yes
|
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
|
|
New Hampshire
(City
of Manchester)
|
No residency requirements.
|
Citizen or qualified immigrant (current and
new). However, Manchester will not deny aid to someone in need.
|
None
|
Yes
|
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
|
|
New Jersey
|
Resident of municipality where receiving
benefits. No durational residency requirements.
|
Citizen or legal immigrant who arrived before
8/23/96.
|
Nonef
|
Yes
|
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
Applicants must have a Social Security
card.
|
|
New Mexico
|
State resident with intent to reside. No
durational residency requirements.
|
Citizen or legal immigrant
|
No screening. However, if substance abuse
is the cause of recipient's need for assistance, the recipient may be
required to participate in a drug treatment program.
|
None
|
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
|
|
New York
|
Must be a state resident for 12 months to
receive the full amount of assistance. New state residents are entitled
to 50% of New York's benefit or the benefit of their previous state, whichever
is greater.g
|
Citizen or legal immigrant
|
All applicants and recipients are screened
for alcohol and drug abuse. Those assessed with an alcohol or drug abuse
problem that makes them unable to work will be referred to an appropriate
treatment program.
|
Yes
|
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
All applicants are fingerprinted
as a condition of receiving benefits.
|
|
North Carolina
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
North Dakota
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Ohio
|
State resident. No durational residency requirement.
|
Citizen or qualified immigrant who arrived
before 8/23/96.
|
None
|
None
|
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
|
|
Oklahoma
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Oregon
1. General Assistance
2. Temporary Assistance Program
|
1. State resident. No durational residency
requirement.
2. State resident. No durational residency
requirement.
|
1. Citizen and qualified immigrants arriving
before 8/23/96.
2. Qualified immigrants arriving after 8/22/96.
Immigrants must pursue citizenship through
the Naturalization Services Program.
|
1. and 2. No screening. However, if medical
information states that a recipient has a substance abuse problem, the
recipient will be required to participate in a treatment program.
|
None
|
1. Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
2. Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
|
|
Pennsylvania
|
State resident. No durational residency requirement.
|
Citizen or legal immigrant
|
No screening. However, substance abusers
must participate in a treatment program.
|
Yes
|
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
|
|
Rhode Island
|
State resident. No durational residency requirements.
|
Citizen or qualified immigrant who arrived
before 8/23/96.
|
None
|
None
|
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
|
|
South Carolina
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
South Dakota
(Minnehaha
County)
|
County resident or intent to remain in county.
No durational residency requirement.
|
Citizen or legal immigrant
|
No screening. However, recipients unable
to work because of chemical dependency must participate in a treatment
program.
|
Yes
|
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
|
|
Tennessee
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Texas
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Utah
1.
GA--Self Sufficiency
2. GA--Working Toward Employment
|
State resident or intent to become state
resident. No durational residency requirement.
|
Citizen or qualified immigrant who arrived
before 8/23/96. Eligible immigrants must apply for citizenship.
|
No screening. If substance abuse is the only
condition that incapacitates the applicant, they will not qualify for
GA. If substance abuse is in addition to a qualifying condition, treatment
is required as the work requirement.
|
Yes
|
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
|
|
Vermont
|
State resident. No durational residency requirement.
|
Citizen or legal immigrant
|
No screening. However, recipients receiving
treatment must show that they are participating and making progress to
continue to receive benefits.
|
Yes
|
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
|
|
Virginia
(Fairfax
County)
|
County resident. No durational residency
requirement.
|
Citizen or legal immigrant
|
No screening. However, if unemployable and
treatment would make employable, then recipients are required to participate
in treatment.
|
None
|
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
|
|
Washington
|
State resident with intent to remain. No
durational residency requirement.
|
Citizen or legal immigrant
|
No screening. However, if recipient is drug
or alcohol dependent, the recipient must participate in treatment.
|
None
|
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
|
|
West Virginia
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Wisconsin
(Dane
County)
|
County resident for at least six months.
|
Citizen or legal immigrant
|
None
|
None
|
Must apply for federally funded assistance
if eligible.
|
|
Wyoming
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
County GA Programs
|
State
(Focal
County)
|
Residency Requirement
|
Citizenship Requirement
|
Drug Screening/Treatment
|
Work Requirement
|
Other Requirements
|
|
Colorado
GA
(City and County of Denver)
|
County resident for at least 30 days.h
|
Citizen or legal immigrant
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
|
Florida
(Dade
County)
|
County resident. No durational residency
requirement.
|
Citizen or legal immigrant
|
No screening. However, suspected substance
abusers are required to seek treatment.
|
None
|
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
Recipients must show proof
of housing.
|
|
Georgia
(Fulton
County)
|
County resident. No durational residency
requirement.
|
Citizen or legal immigrant
|
No screening. However, if a doctor indicates
that a recipient is drug addicted, the recipient must go into treatment.
|
None
|
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
|
|
Kentucky
(Jefferson
County)
|
County resident. No durational residency
requirement.
|
Citizen or legal immigrant
|
None
|
None
|
Disabled applicants must provide physician's
statement verifying disability.
|
|
Montana
(Yellowstone
County)
|
County resident for 30 days.
|
Citizen or legal immigrant
|
None
|
None
|
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
|
|
North Carolina
(Durham
County)
|
County resident for three months.
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
Crisis must exist that
will result in loss or lack of essential shelter, utilities, medical needs,
or food.
|
|
North Dakota
(Cass
County)
|
County resident. No durational residency
requirement.
|
Citizen or legal immigrant
|
None
|
None
|
Recipients must apply for federal assistance
if eligible.
|
Source: Urban
Institute 1998
a. See the text for definitions of the various
immigrant categories.
b. Minnesota. Current law states that persons must
be residents for 12 months or will receive the GA benefit level of their previous
state, but this has been struck down by the courts and is in process of appeal.
c. Minnesota. Exceptions are made for people who
are unable to understand the rights and responsibilities of becoming a citizen
or those who would be unable to pass the test.
d. Missouri. There are no work requirements. Recipients
are referred to Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), but their General Relief eligibility
is not contingent upon their participation in VR.
e. Nebraska. Information represents the guidelines
developed by the Nebraska Association of County Officials and the state Department
of Social Services used in the administration of the General Assistance programs
for the 56 of 93 counties that elect to contract with the state.
f. New Jersey. Persons who have been found guilty
of drug distribution are ineligible for assistance. Persons who have been found
guilty of drug possession or drug use must complete a treatment program and
be drug-free for 60 days.
g. New York. For the first 12 months, refugees,
asylees, and Cuban/Haitian entrants receive New York's full grant if they are
within their first 36 months in the United States.
h. Colorado (City and County of Denver). The 30-day
residency requirement is not always enforced. To prevent homelessness, persons
are provided with temporary lodging in motels for 4 days, even if they have
been a resident for less than 30 days.
Table 6: General Assistance
Work Requirements
(Summer 1998)
State GA Programs
|
State
(Focal County)
|
Work Program Participants
|
Work Program Components
|
Sanctions for Noncompliance
with Work Requirements
|
Coordination with Food Stamp
Employment and Training Program
|
|
Alabama
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Alaska
1.
General Relief Assistance
2. Interim Assistance
|
1. Able-bodied recipients ages 18 to 59 unless
they are incapacitated, caretakers of incapacitated persons, or full-time
high school students.
2. No work requirement (employable persons
are not eligible for assistance).
|
1. Registration with the Department of Labor
and acceptance of any legitimate offer of employment
2. Not applicable
|
1. None
2. Not applicable
|
1. No
2. Not applicable
|
|
Arizona
|
No work requirement (employable
persons are not eligible for assistance).
|
|
Arkansas
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
California
(Los
Angeles County)
|
Any recipient not physically or mentally
disabled
|
Job Search and Workfare. Applicants must
have sought work at 24 job sites in the eight weeks prior to their application
for benefits. Recipients must register with the Employment Development
Department. Recipients must also work off their grant for four days a
month at the minimum wage. As an alternative to Workfare, recipients may
enroll in a Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) training program, an educational
program, or other certified program for at least 20 hours per week, or
participate in the county Job Skills program.
|
If recipient fails to comply with the work
requirement, assistance is terminated until compliance. For second instance
of noncompliance, assistance is terminated for at least 30 days. For third
instance of noncompliance, assistance is terminated for at least 60 days.
If recipient in involved with the Job Skills
program and fails to comply, they must participate in the Job Search/Workfare
program.
|
Yes
|
|
Colorado
Aid to the Needy
Disabled
|
No work requirement (employable
persons are not eligible for assistance).
|
|
Connecticut
|
No work requirement
|
|
Delaware
|
No work requirement (employable
persons are not eligible for assistance).
|
|
District of Columbia
|
No work requirement (employable
persons are not eligible for assistance).
|
|
Florida
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Georgia
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Hawaii
|
No work requirement (employable
persons are not eligible for assistance).
|
|
Idaho
(Ada
County)
|
No work requirement (employable
persons are not eligible for assistance).
|
|
Illinois
(City
of Chicago)
|
All nonexempt able-bodied persons are required
to participate in a work program. Exempt persons include persons ages
18 to 20 in full-time high school or vocational training, medically disabled
persons, caretakers, VISTA volunteers, homeless persons, persons who are
employed full-time, persons 60 years of age or older, persons with a child
under one year of age, any child under age 18 who is not a parent.
|
Job search, work relief, job training and
experience, and Workfare.
|
If the recipient fails to comply with work
requirements, the recipient will lose GA benefits for two months. Sanctions
may end early if client complies with work requirement.
|
Yes
|
|
Indiana
(Center Township of Marion
County)
|
Unemployed able-bodied adults except those
who are under age 18 or over age 65, who have a child under age 3, or
who are caretakers of an incapacitated person.
|
Job search, job training and experience,
job readiness counseling, educational services, and Workfare. Recipients
work off the amount of their assistance at a rate of $8/hr.
|
If the recipient fails to comply with work
requirements, the recipient will lose benefits immediately.
|
Yes
|
|
Iowa
(Polk
County)
|
No work requirement
|
|
Kansas
|
No work requirement (employable
persons are not eligible for assistance).
|
|
Kentucky
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Louisiana
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Maine
|
Able-bodied recipients over 16 years of age
and not in school or work for 40 hrs/week., unless they are needed in
the home to care for a child or disabled person.
|
Registration with Maine Job Service, Workfare
(in some towns), school, GED preparation classes, rehabilitation program,
or Food Stamp/TANF work program.
|
If the recipient fails to comply with work
requirements, the recipient will lose benefits for 120 days.
|
Yes
|
|
Maryland
|
No work requirement (employable
persons are not eligible for assistance).
|
|
Massachusetts
|
One parent in a two-parent household, a single
parent who cares for a child age 15 or older, unrelated adult caretaker
of a child age 15 or older. (Participants must be between the ages of
18 and 59.)
|
Recipients must meet the Transitional Employment
for Massachusetts Parents (TEMP) requirements, register at the Department
of Employment and Training (DET), actively seek employment, maintain his
or her registration with DET, report the results of any job referral to
the Department, and accept any offer of suitable employment.
|
If recipients fail to comply with the work
requirements, they will lose their eligibility and must work for two consecutive
weeks to regain benefits.
|
No
|
|
Michigan
|
No work requirement (employable
persons are not eligible for assistance).
|
|
Minnesota
|
No work requirement (employable
persons are not eligible for assistance).
|
|
Mississippi
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Missouri
|
No work requirement (employable
persons are not eligible for assistance).
|
|
Montana
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Nebraska
1.
State Disability Program
2.County General Assistancea
|
1. No work requirement
(employable
persons are not eligible for assistance).
2. All applicants except those who are incapacitated
or working 30 hours per week.
|
1. Not applicable
2. Registration with the Department of Labor
JPTA program in the area. Counties have the option to require participation
in other programs, such as community service. If the participant is receiving
food stamps and GA, Food Stamp employment and training activities will
fulfill the requirements.
|
1. Not applicable.
2. Failure to comply with work requirements
results in termination of benefits.
|
1. Not applicable
2. Yes
|
|
Nevada
(Clark
County)
|
Able-bodied recipients
|
Participation in the General Assistance Temporary
Employment Program (GATE), which includes working two days a week at the
minimum wage rate, or participation in job search, which includes seeking
work at 40 establishments per month.
|
For the first instance of noncompliance with
work requirements, the recipient loses one day's worth of assistance for
every day he or she is absent from work for up to two days. For the second
instance of noncompliance, the recipient may be denied assistance for
30 days. After three instances of noncompliance, the recipient may be
denied assistance for one year. Exceptions to these sanctions may be granted
on a case-by-case basis.
|
Yes
|
|
New Hampshire
(City
of Manchester)
|
Able-bodied recipients not needed in the
home to care for a person who is elderly, disabled, or a child under age
six.
|
Job search, job training and experience,
job readiness counseling, and Workfare (twothree days/week at $5/hr in
city departments, nonprofits, food banks, and shelters). Other work programs
available to WC recipients include VR (Vocational Rehabilitation), JPTA,
New Hampshire Works (on-line resume service).
|
Failure to comply with the work requirements
results in a seven-day notice to comply. If noncompliance continues after
seven days, the recipient will be suspended for seven days. If the noncompliance
continues, the recipient will be suspended until compliance.
|
Yes
|
|
New Jersey
|
Employable recipients (those without a temporary
or permanent disability)
|
Community work experience program (CWEP),
vocational training, Alternative Work Experience Program (AWEP--GED and
ESL educational services), on-the-job-training, FSET (Food Stamp Employment
and Training Program).
|
Noncompliance with work activities results
in the termination of the grant for one month. Continued noncompliance
after the first month results in the termination of the grant for an additional
month. Continued noncompliance after the second month results in the termination
of the grant for a third month. Continued noncompliance at the end of
the third month results in case closure and ineligibility for assistance.
To regain benefits, recipients must participate in work activities for
two consecutive weeks.
|
Yes
|
|
New Mexico
|
No work requirement
|
|
New York
|
All recipients are required to participate
unless exempt. Exemptions include disability; age 60 or older; under the
age of 16 or under the age of 19 attending a full-time secondary vocational
or technical school; ill or injured for up to 3 months; caretaker of disabled
persons or children under 12 months of age; pregnant and within 30 days
of the birth of the child.
|
Thirty-five hours per week in work activities
in which 30 hours are spent in employment (unsubsidized or subsidized);
work experience; or on-the- job-training. The remaining hours may be spent
in the any of the above activities or job search, community service, vocational
education, or job skills training activities.
|
For the first instance of noncompliance with
the work requirements, the recipient's grant is suspended for three months.
For the second instance of noncompliance with the work requirements, the
recipient's grant is suspended for five months. For the third instance
of noncompliance with the work requirements, the recipient's grant is
suspended for six months.
|
No
|
|
North Carolina
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
North Dakota
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Ohio
|
No work requirement (employable
persons are not eligible for assistance).
|
|
Oklahoma
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Oregon
|
No work requirement (employable
persons are not eligible for assistance).
|
|
Pennsylvania
|
Able-bodied recipients
|
Recipients must participate in job search
followed by participation in work, education, or training activities for
up to 12 months during the first 24 months of assistance. After 24 months
of assistance, participation is limited to unsubsidized or subsidized
employment, work experience, on-the-job training, Workfare, or community
experience.
|
During the first 24 months: the first instance
of noncompliance with work requirements results in a loss of benefit for
the adult for 30 days, 60 days for the second instance, and permanently
for the third instance. After 24 months: the first instance of noncompliance
with work requirements results in a loss of benefit for the entire family
for 30 days, 60 days for the second instance, and permanently for the
third instance.
|
Yes
|
|
Rhode Island
|
No work requirement (employable
persons are not eligible for assistance).
|
|
South Carolina
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
South Dakota
(Minnehaha
County)
|
Able-bodied recipients not in a drug treatment
program
|
All recipients are expected to have jobs.
Unemployed recipients are given informal job search help and are required
to make three job contacts per day.
|
Recipients who quit their job are ineligible
for benefits for 30 days.
|
No
|
|
Tennessee
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Texas
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Utah
1.
GA--Self Sufficiency
2. GA--Working Toward Employment
|
All GA recipients. Participation is based
on ability.
|
1. All recipients must participate in an
initial assessment to determine activities to help them become self-supporting
or to increase their income. This may result in requirements for medical
or mental health treatment or adult basic education courses.
2. All recipients must participate in 32
hours per week of work at a community work site and 8 hours of job search.
|
Noncompliance with work requirement results
in termination of benefit.
|
Yes
|
|
Vermont
|
Able-bodied employable persons in recipient
households except those gainfully employed.
|
Participants must make three job contacts
per week, document progress to the district office, and maintain contact
with the Department of Employment and Training (DET). Recipients with
only an eighth-grade education or below and those who are illiterate must
participate in an adult basic education program. Recipients ages 55 to
64 must participate in work-related activities under the Older Americans
Act.
|
Noncompliance with work requirements results
in termination of benefits.
|
No
|
|
Virginia
(Fairfax
County)
|
No work requirement (employable
persons are not eligible for assistance).
|
|
Washington
|
No work requirement (employable
persons are not eligible for assistance).
|
|
West Virginia
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Wisconsin
(Dane
County)
|
No work requirement (employable
persons are not eligible for assistance).
|
|
Wyoming
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
County GA Programs
|
State
(Focal
County)
|
Work Program Participants
|
Work Program Components
|
Sanctions for Noncompliance
with Work Requirements
|
Coordination with Food Stamp
Employment and Training Program
|
|
Colorado
GA (City and County
of Denver)
|
No work program requirements
|
|
Florida
(Dade
County)
|
No work requirement (employable
persons are not eligible for assistance).
|
|
Georgia
(Fulton
County)
|
No work requirement (employable
persons are not eligible for assistance).
|
|
Kentucky
(Jefferson
County)
|
No work requirement (employable
persons are not eligible for assistance).
|
|
Montana
(Yellowstone
County)
|
No work requirement (employable
persons are not eligible for assistance).
|
|
North Carolina
(Durham
County)
|
No work requirement (employable
persons are not eligible for assistance).
|
|
North Dakota
(Cass
County)
|
No work requirement (employable
persons are not eligible for assistance).
|
Source: Urban
Institute 1998
a. Nebraska. Information represents the guidelines
developed by the Nebraska Association of County Officials and the state Department
of Social Services used in the administration of the General Assistance programs
for the 56 of 93 counties that elect to contract with the state.
Table 7: General
Assistance Monthly Benefits and Duration of Assistance
(Summer 1998)
State GA Programs
|
State
(Focal County)
|
Maximum Monthly Benefits
|
Date Benefit
Levels Took Effect
|
Payment Forma
|
Duration of
Assistance
|
|
One Person
|
Two Persons
|
Three Persons
|
|
Alabama
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Alaska
1. General Relief Assistance
2. Interim Assistance
|
1. $120
2. $280b
|
1. $240
2. $560 ($280 each)
|
1. $360
2. Not applicable
|
1. 1985
2. 1982
|
1. Voucher/Vendor.
Payments are made for food, fuel, clothing,
home repair, transportation, and burial expenses.
2. Cash
|
1. No time limit. Assistance provided for
30 days (unlimited renewals).
2. No time limit. Assistance provided until
final SSI determination.
|
|
Arizona
|
$173c
|
$233c
|
Not applicable
|
1994
|
Cash
|
12 months in a 36-month period. Assistance
is renewable only if second- and third-level appeal with SSI is in process,
in which case a 6-month extension may be granted.
|
|
Arkansas
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
California
(Los Angeles County)
|
$221
|
$375
|
$450
|
February 1998
|
Cash. If recipient requests, payments may
be made to vendors.
|
Employables: 5 months out of a 12-month period.
Unemployables: no time limit.
|
|
Colorado
Aid to the Needy Disabled
|
$229
|
$458 ($229 each)
|
Not applicable
|
1985
|
Cash
|
Assistance provided until SSI is granted.
If primary disability is substance abuse, however, recipients are limited
to a total of 12 months of benefits for their lifetime.
|
|
Connecticut
|
Unemployable: $350
Transitional: $200
|
$407
|
$500d
|
April 1997
|
Cash (EBT). Payments may be made to vendors
or protective payee on a case-by-case basis.
|
No time limit. Recipients with a disability
are provided assistance throughout the duration of their disability.
|
|
Delaware
|
$123
|
$166
|
$224
|
1989
|
Cash
|
No time limit.
|
|
District of Columbia
|
$239
|
$298
|
$379
|
February 1997
|
Cash
|
No time limit.
|
|
Florida
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Georgia
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Hawaii
|
$340
|
$459
|
Not applicable
|
July 1997
|
Cash. Payments may be made to vendors under
special circumstances.
|
No time limit. Assistance provided for duration
of disability.
|
|
Idaho
(Ada County)
|
No maximum benefit. All "reasonable"
costs are covered.
|
Not available
|
Voucher/Vendor
|
No time limit.
|
|
Illinois
(City of Chicago)
1. Transitional Assistance
2. Family and Children Assistance
|
1. $100
2. $212
|
1. Not applicable
2. $278
|
1. Not applicable
2. $377
|
1996
|
Cash
|
No time limit. Assistance provided with redetermination
required every five months.
|
|
Indiana
(Center Township of Marion County)
|
Rent: $450e
Food: $122
Household supplies: $20
|
Not available
|
Rent: $511
Food: $321
Household supplies: $33
|
1998
|
Voucher/Vendor. Payments are made for rent,
food, utilities, clothing, transportation, household supplies, medication,
and burials.
|
No time limit. Assistance is renewable 30
days at a time for up to six months at which time recipients must reapply.
Renewals are up to the discretion of the trustee.
|
|
Iowa
(Polk County)
|
$1,029/yearf
|
$1,083/yearf
|
$1,278/yearf
|
August 1989
|
Voucher/Vendor. Payments are made for rent,
utilities, food, clothing, transportation, medical needs, burials, furniture,
and major repairs.
|
No time limit. Recipient must reapply for
each new need. Benefit maximum is in effect for one year starting from
the date of application.
|
|
Kansasg
|
$196
|
$268
|
Not applicable
|
December 1993
|
Cash (EBT)
|
No time limit. Assistance provided until
SSI is granted.
|
|
Kentucky
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Louisiana
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Maine
|
Varies by county.
Average: $387
|
Varies by county.
Average: $453
|
Varies by county.
Average: $580
|
October 1997
|
Voucher/Vendor
|
No time limit. Assistance provided for 30
days (unlimited renewals).
|
|
Maryland
|
$113
|
Not applicable
|
Not applicable
|
May 1998
|
Cash (EBT). Benefits for drug-addicted recipients
are made to a protective payee or vendors.
|
SSI applicants: assistance provided until
final SSI determination is made.
Persons ineligible for SSI: duration
of medical disability, up to a maximum of 12 months in a 36-month period.
|
|
Massachusettsh
|
$339
|
$430
|
$522
|
October 1991
|
Cash (EBT). Payments may be made to vendors
at recipient's request.
|
No time limit.
|
|
Michigan
|
$246i
|
$401
|
Not applicable
|
One person: October
1991
Two persons: July
1997
|
Cash. Payments may be made to vendors at
recipient's request.
|
No time limit.
|
|
Minnesota
|
$203
|
$260
|
Not applicable
|
1988
|
Cash. Payments may be made to vendors at
recipient's request. If recipient is chemically dependent or has other
problems, counties have the option to provide vendor payments at their
discretion.
|
No time limit.
|
|
Mississippi
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Missouri
|
$80
|
$160
|
Not applicable
|
July 1985
|
Cash
|
No time limit. Assistance provided for duration
of disability.
|
|
Montana
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Nebraska
1. State Disability Program
2. County General Assistance j
|
1. $645
2. $225
|
1. Not applicable
2. $280
|
1. Not applicable
2. $350
|
1. 1996
2. 1986
|
1. Cash
2. Voucher/Vendor. Payments are made for
food, housing, utilities, medical expenses, clothing, transportation,
personal care, etc.
|
1. No time limit. Assistance provided for
duration of disability or until SSI is granted.
2. No time limit. Assistance provided for
three months (unlimited renewals).
|
|
Nevada
(Clark County)
|
$277
|
$372
|
$466
|
1991
|
Cash and Voucher/Vendor. Payments
are made to landlords.
|
No time limit. Assistance provided for 30
days (unlimited renewals).
|
|
New Hampshire
(City of Manchester)
|
No maximum
|
1977
|
Voucher/Vendor. Payments may made for food,
rent, utilities, medication, and other basic needs.
|
No time limit. Assistance is generally for
short-term emergencies, but it may be used long term if necessary.
|
|
New Jerseyk
|
$140 employable, $210
unemployable
|
$193 employable, $289
unemployable
|
Not applicable
|
1987
|
Cash
|
60-month lifetime limit.
Recipients may be eligible for a 12-month
extension if they meet extension criteria. Noncitizens are limited to
6 months of assistance.l
|
|
New Mexico
|
$231
|
$310
|
$389
|
1995
|
Cash (EBT)
|
No time limit.
|
|
New York
|
$352m
|
$468
|
$577
|
January 1990
|
Cash, except for the following: individuals
or families with individuals unable to work due to substance abuse; families
with individuals who fail to comply with substance abuse requirements;
families that reach the 60-month TANF time limit; individuals who reach
the SNA 24-month time limit.
|
24-month lifetime limit for cash assistance
with exceptions. No time limit for noncash assistance.
|
|
North Carolina
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
North Dakota
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Ohio
|
$115
|
$159
|
$193
|
1991
|
Cash
|
No time limit. Redetermination occurs every
six months.
|
|
Oklahoma
|
No state General Assistance program or requirements.
No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Oregon
1. General Assistance
2. Temporary Assistance Program
|
1. $298n
2. $275
|
1. $596
2. $550
|
1. Not applicable
2. Not applicable
|
1. July 1998
2. January 1998
|
1. and 2. Cash
|
1. No time limit. Assistance provided until
final SSI determination.
2. No time limit.
|
|
Pennsylvania
|
$215
|
$330
|
$421
|
1990
|
Cash. Payments may be made to vendors at
recipient's request.
|
Temporarily disabled: assistance provided
for duration of disability.
Persons in a drug or alcohol treatment
program and victims of domestic violence: nine months in a lifetime.
All other categories of assistance:
no time limit.
|
|
Rhode Island
|
$200
|
Not applicable
|
Not applicable
|
1994
|
Cash
|
No time limit. Assistance is provided until
final SSI determination.
|
|
South Carolina
|
No
state General Assistance program or requirements. No county General Assistance
programs.
|
|
South Dakota
(Minnehaha County)
|
Benefit depends on the degree of need. There
is no overall maximum on benefits.
$350 maximum for utilities, $450 maximum
for rent.o
|
September 1998
|
Voucher/Vendor. Payments are made for rent
and utilities.
|
No time limit. Assistance is provided throughout
duration of emergency need.
|
|
Tennessee
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Texas
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Utah
1. GA--Self Sufficiency
2. GA--Working Toward Employment
|
1. $261
2. $306 ($261 benefit plus $45
work allowance)
|
1. $362
2. $407 ($362 benefit plus 45
work allowance)
|
Not applicable
|
July 1998
|
Cash (EBT)
|
1. No time limit. Assistance is provided
until recipient overcomes barrier or receives SSI.
2. 7 months out of an 18-month period. Individuals
may reapply at the end of the 18-month period (unlimited renewals).
|
|
Vermont
|
$449 in Chittenden County; $404
rest of state
|
$554 in Chittenden County; $508
rest of state
|
$656 in Chittenden County; $611
rest of state
|
July 1997
|
Voucher/Vendor and Cash. Vendor payments
are made for rent, utilities, doctor visits, and prescriptions. Cash is
provided for groceries and personal needs.
|
No time limit. Recipients must apply for
each new need. Duration is usually monthly based on need, but additional
applications may be granted as long as the need exists. Recipients in
a drug treatment program may only receive 36 months of assistance in a
lifetime under this category of assistance.
|
|
Virginia
(Fairfax County)
|
$220
|
$294
|
$354
|
July 1996
|
Cash.
If recipient is alcoholic or drug dependent,
then payments are made to a protective payee or vendors.
|
Unemployables: 9 out of 12 months.
Unattached children: No time limit.
|
|
Washington
|
GA-U: $339
GA-S: $349
GA-H: $349
|
GA-U: $428
GA-H: $440
|
GA-H: $546
|
GA-U: 1991
GA-S and GA-H: 1993
|
Cash. Vendor payments may be made on a case-by-case
basis. If recipient is drug or alcohol addicted, payments are made through
protective payees.
|
GA-U: Assistance is provided through the
duration of the disability.
GA-S: Assistance is provided until third trimester. GA-H:
No time limit.
|
|
West Virginia
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Wisconsin
(Dane
County)
|
$247
|
Not applicable
|
Not applicable
|
1986
|
Cash.
Vendor
payments may be made for shelter costs.
|
No time limit. Assistance is provided for
three months with unlimited renewals.
|
|
Wyoming
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
County GA Programs
|
State
(Focal
County)
|
Maximum Monthly Benefits
|
Date Benefit Levels Took Effect
|
Payment Form
|
Duration of Assistance
|
|
One Person
|
Two Persons
|
Three Persons
|
|
Colorado
GA
(City and County of Denver)
|
No dollar maximum. Benefits depend on category
of recipient and specific needs.
|
1983
|
Voucher/Vendor. Payments are made for shelter,
food, transportation, personal needs, and burial expenses.
|
Depends on specific voucher
|
|
Florida
(Miami-Dade
County)
|
$220
|
$268
|
$300
|
July 1995
|
Cash. Payments may be made to vendors for
rent.
|
Short-term assistance: 90 days, once every
three years.
Interim assistance: After
90 days of short-term assistance, if SSI approval is likely, assistance
is provided for nine months.p
|
|
Georgia
(Fulton
County )
|
$225
|
$337
|
Not applicable
|
March 1983
|
Cash. Payments to vendors may be made in
some circumstances.
|
No time limit. Assistance is provided through
duration of disability.
|
|
Kentucky
(Jefferson
County)
|
$305q
|
$320
|
Not applicable
|
August 1997
|
Voucher/Vendor. Payments are made to landlords,
mortgage companies, and utility companies.
|
Recipients with a temporary disability: 6
months.
Recipients awaiting SSI determination:
12 months.
|
|
Montana
(Yellowstone County)
|
$272
|
$366
|
Not applicable
|
July 1998
|
Voucher/Vendor. Payments are made for rent,
utilities, and personal needs.
|
No time limit. Recipients with a temporary
disability are provided assistance for the duration of their disability.
Recipients awaiting SSI determination are provided assistance until granted
SSI.
|
|
North Carolina (Durham
County)
|
Maximum benefits determined on a case-by-case
basis. (In general, $125 shelter and boarding, $30 maximum for prescription
drugs, plus other needs.)
|
1996
|
Voucher/Vendor. Payments are made for rent,
utilities, food, medical needs, etc.
|
Three months in any year, but may be longer
on a case-by-case basis. Duration for
prescription drugs is limited to four months in any one year.
|
|
North Dakota
(Cass
County)
|
$225r
|
Not applicable
|
Not applicable
|
1991
|
Vendor/Voucher. Payments are limited to rent.
|
6 months out of 12-month period (lifetime
limit).
|
Source: Urban Institute 1998
a. Vouchers and vendor payments typically cover
rent, utilities, and food. States may also cover transportation, clothing, burial,
household supplies, and other items.
b. Alaska. Individuals in a nursing home receive
a maximum benefit of $75 per month.
c. Arizona. The maximum monthly benefit for an
individual not paying rent is $108, and the maximum monthly benefit for a couple
not paying rent is $145.
d. Connecticut. Benefit levels for families vary
according to living costs in three regions of the state. The information shown
here is for Region B, which includes approximately 90 percent of the caseload.
e. Indiana (Center Township of Marion County).
Benefit maximums for rent assume that utilities are included in the rent. For
a three-person family, benefit maximum for rent also assumes a two-bedroom apartment.
Benefit maximums differ by number of bedrooms.
f. Iowa (Polk County). Benefits are determined
on a case-by-case basis depending on need. Maximum benefit levels are set at
the income guidelines ($343 for individual, $361 for couple, $426 for family
of three) for a period of one year. However, exemptions can be made on a case-by-case
basis so that recipients can potentially receive three times the income guideline
level as in the table.
g. Kansas. There are four different income limit
and benefit schedules throughout the state, which are based on the cost of living
in each county. The majority of recipients are in counties with the maximum
benefits listed here.
h. Massachusetts. There are eight different income/payment
standards based on the following living arrangements: (1) individuals in public
or private housing; (2) individuals living with a TAFDC (Transitional Aid to
Families with Dependent Children) family; (3) residents in a halfway house,
institution, or nursing home; (4) persons living in a shelter; (5) persons living
in a rest home; (6) persons living in a therapeutic community center; (7) persons
living in a detox center; and (8) persons in public or private housing living
with spouse applying for EAEDC.
i Michigan. For individuals living in residential
substance abuse treatment centers, maximum benefit is $44/month (incidentals
allowance only). The cost of the facility is paid for by the Center for Substance
Abuse Services (CSAS). For individuals living in adult foster care or county
infirmary, maximum benefit is $608/month for personal care, and $537/month for
domiciliary. For individuals living in a home for the aged, maximum benefit
is $383/month.
j. Nebraska. Information represents the guidelines
developed by the Nebraska Association of County Officials and the state Department
of Social Services used in the administration of the General Assistance programs
for the 56 of 93 counties that elect to contract with the state.
k. New Jersey. In addition to cash benefits, GA
recipients are also eligible for Housing Assistance if they fall into one of
the following three categories: (1) housing destroyed by fire or natural disaster;
(2) require housing due to domestic violence; or (3) evicted or about to become
evicted; and if they demonstrate a lack of realistic capacity to plan for substitute
housing (e.g., they don't have enough time to find housing or funds are exhausted
due to other expenses). For those in temporary housing (hotel or motel) the
maximum benefit is $35 per day for an individual, $45 per day for two persons.
The maximum benefit for permanent housing is $250. Housing benefits may be increased
depending on the degree of need and are paid directly to the vendor. Housing
benefits are limited to 12 months.
l. New Jersey. Twelve-month extension criteria
include: unable to care for themselves; age 60 or older; mentally or physically
ill; pending SSI and disabled for over one year; terminally ill; poor work history;
contracted HIV or AIDS. Recipients who reached their 60-month lifetime limit
by June 30, 1998, might be eligible for further assistance if they meet the
hardship eligibility criteria and complete an approved Individual Response Plan.
m. New York. Values shown are for New York City.
Benefit levels may vary by county based on shelter and heating costs.
n. Oregon. Maximum board room rate for persons
in long-term care is $281/month plus $39 for personal needs. Persons in a nursing
home receive $30 for personal needs.
o. South Dakota (Minnehaha County). Maximum rent
payment of $450/month is for a four-bedroom apartment. Apartments with fewer
bedrooms have lower maximums.
p. Florida (MiamiDade County). Short-term assistance
includes individuals, couples, and families with a short-term disability. Interim
assistance includes individuals, couples, and families awaiting SSI determination.
After 12 months, as long as the client's SSI claim is at the Hearing or Appeals
Council stage, the case may be extended at the director's discretion. Extensions
beyond 12 months are usually in 6-month increments.
q. Kentucky (Jefferson County). Benefits may be
increased up to double the maximum amount if the maximum financial assistance
amount will not alleviate the recipient's crisis.
r. North Dakota. If rent does not include heat,
the maximum benefit is $175 per month.
Table 8: General
Assistance Medical Assistance Programs
(Summer 1998)
State GA Programs
|
State
(Focal County)
|
Persons Eligible for GA Medical
Assistance Programa
|
GA Medical Assistance Program
Benefitsb
|
|
Alabama
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Alaska
|
Persons who meet General Relief Assistance
eligibility requirements and have an emergency medical need and no prior
medical resource are eligible for the Chronic and Acute Medical Assistance
program (CAMA).
|
Inpatient hospitalization for up to eight
days per year; physician services (12 visits/year); prescription drugs
for terminal illnesses, chemotherapy, diabetes, seizure disorders, chronic
mental illnesses, and hypertension; and nursing home care.
|
|
Arizona
|
The state does not have a medical assistance
program, but all GA recipients are eligible for county-operated medical
assistance programs.
|
Not available
|
|
Arkansas
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
California
(Los Angeles County)
|
All General Relief recipients are eligible
for the General Relief Healthcare Program.
|
Inpatient and outpatient hospital care, physician
services, and prescription drugs.
|
|
Colorado
|
No GA medical program.
|
|
Connecticut
|
All indigent persons meeting medical income
eligibility requirements. Medical income limits for Region B: $476/month
for an individual, $633/month for a two-person household, $776/month for
a family of three.
|
Inpatient and outpatient hospital care, physician
services, and prescription drugs.
|
|
Delaware
|
All GA recipients plus others without medical
insurance and with income below the federal poverty level are eligible
for coverage under the Diamond State Health Plan (Medicaid waiver).
|
|
District of Columbia
|
All GA recipients are eligible
for Medicaid.
|
|
Florida
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Georgia
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Hawaii
|
All GA recipients and others
are eligible for QUEST (Medicaid Waiver).
|
|
Idaho (Ada
County)
|
County residents of at least 30 days, who
are in emergency medical need and have no resources to cover medical costs.
|
Inpatient and outpatient hospital care, physician
services, prescription drugs, and nursing home care.c
|
|
Illinois
(City of Chicago)
|
All Family and Children Assistance (FCA)
and Transitional Assistance (TA) recipients, unless they receive Medicaid
(persons under 18, persons with pending SSI applications).
|
Inpatient and outpatient hospital care (only
for FCA recipients over age 18), physician services, prescription drugs
if required for life maintenance or to avert a life-threatening situation.
|
|
Indiana
(Center Township of Marion
County)
|
No GA medical assistance program.d
|
|
Iowa (Polk
County)
|
No GA medical assistance program.e
|
|
Kansas
|
All GA recipients are eligible for the GA
MediKan program.
|
Inpatient and outpatient hospital care, physician
services, prescription drugs, and nursing home care.
|
|
Kentucky
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Louisiana
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Maine
|
All GA recipients and others who meet GA
income eligibility requirements. Recipients must be in medical need.
|
Benefits are provided for prior-approved
treatment of life-threatening conditions. Covered services include physician
services and prescription drugs. (Inpatient and outpatient hospital services
are covered by charity-based FreeCare.)
|
|
Maryland
|
About half of Transitional Emergency Medical
and Housing Assistance (TEMHA) recipients are eligible for Medicaid. The
remaining TEMHA recipients plus others who meet medical income eligibility
requirements are eligible for Maryland Primary Care (MPC) and Maryland
Pharmacy Assistance Program (MPAP).
|
MPC: physician services. MPAP: limited list
of prescription drugs.
|
|
Massachusetts
|
All Emergency Aid to the Elderly,
Disabled, and Children (EAEDC)
recipients are eligible for the Mass
Health Program (Medicaid program).
|
|
Michigan
|
All State Disability Assistance (SDA) recipients
who are ineligible for Medicaid plus others who are not disabled according
to SDA criteria but meet SDA income and asset eligibility requirements.
|
Outpatient hospital care, physician services,
and prescription drugs.
|
|
Minnesota
|
All GA recipients, plus others who are not
eligible for GA or Medicaid but meet GA income and asset eligibility requirements,
are eligible for General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC).
|
Inpatient and outpatient hospital care, physician
services, and prescription drugs.
|
|
Mississippi
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Missouri
|
All General Relief recipients.
|
Inpatient and outpatient hospital care, physician
services, and prescription drugs.
|
|
Montana
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Nebraska
1. State Disability Program (SDP)
2. County General Assistancef
|
1. All SDP recipients.
2. Persons meeting the following income eligibility
requirements are eligible for County Medical (CM) assistance:
For an individual, gross income may
not exceed $2,680 and net income may not exceed $1,700 over a six-month
period; if gross income is less than $2,680 and net income between $1,700
and $2,680 over a six-month period, the person is responsible for paying
the medical costs in excess of $283/month.
For a family of three, gross income
may not exceed $4,560 and net income may not exceed $2,700 over a six-month
period; if gross income is less than $4,560 and net income between $2,700
and $4,560 over a six-month period, the family is responsible for paying
the medical costs in excess of $450/month.
|
1. Inpatient and outpatient hospital care,
physician services, prescription drugs, and nursing home care.
Coverage is comparable to Medicaid.
2. Covered services include only those that
are required to prevent morbidity or institutionalization.
|
|
Nevada (Clark
County)
|
Persons meeting medical income and resource
eligibility requirements are eligible for the Medical Assistance Service
(MAS).
Income limits: $522/month for an individual;
$740/month for a couple; $928/month for a family of three.
Income exemptions: $400 for an individual
or couple; $450 for a family of three or four; $100 for rent if the recipient
is elderly, disabled, or employed; $300 in child care costs for one child
or $500 for two or more children.
Resource limits: $500; $1,000 for an
individual disabled at least 3 months; $2,000 for an individual age 65
or older and/or disabled at least 12 months; $3,000 for a couple or family
of three age 65 or older and/or disabled at least 12 months.
|
Inpatient and outpatient hospital care, prescription
drugs, and nursing home care.
|
|
New Hampshire
(City of Manchester)
|
All City Welfare (CW) recipients and any
persons in need of medical assistance.
|
Physician services and prescription drugs.
(Hospitals accept needy patients free of charge. Nursing home care is
covered by Medicaid.)
|
|
New Jersey
|
All Work First New Jersey (WFNJ)/GA recipients.
|
Physician services and prescription drugs.
|
|
New Mexico
|
No GA medical assistance program.
|
|
New York
|
SNA recipients are eligible
for state Medicaid waiver programs.
|
|
North Carolina
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
North Dakota
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Ohio
|
All Disability Assistance (DA) recipients,
plus able-bodied medication-dependent persons who meet the income and
eligibility criteria and would become incapacitated if stopped taking
medicine.
|
Physician services and prescription drugs.
(Inpatient and outpatient hospital care covered by Ohio Hospital Care
Assurance program.)
|
|
Oklahoma
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Oregon
|
GA: All recipients are eligible for coverage
under the Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid waiver).
Temporary Assistance Program (TAP): Qualified
immigrants eligible for Medicaid are covered under the Oregon Health Plan
(Medicaid waiver). All other immigrants are eligible for the Citizen Alien
Waiver Emergency Medical program.
|
Citizen Alien Waiver Emergency Medical program:
life-threatening emergency medical services only.
|
|
Pennsylvania
|
All GA recipients; persons meeting GA eligibility
requirements but not receiving GA; persons taking health-sustaining medication;
and persons meeting Medically Needy Only (MNO) criteria are eligible for
medical assistance.
MNO eligibility criteria:
Persons ages 59 to 64, custodial parents
of a child under age 21, persons ages 21 to 58 who are employed at least
100 hrs/month, and pregnant women.
Income limits: $425/month for an individual,
$442/month for a couple, and $467/month for a family of three.
Resource limit: $2,400 for an individual,
$3,200 for a couple, and $3,500 for three persons. (No asset limit if
a child is in the household.)
|
Inpatient and outpatient hospital care, and
physician services. GA recipients are eligible for prescription drugs,
but MNO recipients are not. Nursing home services may be available if
assessed as best option. There is a copay for most services and a $150
deductible.
|
|
Rhode Island
|
All GPA recipients plus other persons temporarily
or permanently disabled with income less than $327 per month.
|
Physician services and prescription drugs.
(Hospitals are required to cover the costs of inpatient and outpatient
care.)
|
|
South Carolina
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
South Dakota
(Minnehaha County)
|
All Poor Relief (PR) recipients plus others
meeting state medical eligibility requirements.g Recipients
must be in medical need.
|
Inpatient and outpatient hospital care, physician
services, prescription drugs, and nursing home care.
|
|
Tennessee
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Texas
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Utah
|
All GA recipients, plus other single or married
adults without children who meet the GA income and eligibility criteria.
|
Acute care required in life-threatening situations
(e.g., emergency room visits) and some prescription drugs.
|
|
Vermont
|
All GA recipients in catastrophic circumstances
are eligible for medical assistance. (Able-bodied and uninsured adults
who are ineligible for Medicaid may be eligible for the Vermont Health
Access Plan, a Medicaid waiver program.)
|
Emergency physician services and prescription
drugs.
|
|
Virginia
(Fairfax County)
|
All GR recipients plus other residents who
are citizens and have an emergency medical need for which they are unable
to pay.
|
Physician services, prescription drugs, nursing
home. All services must be related to an emergency medical need. Hospital
care is covered by the State and Local Hospital Program.
|
|
Washington
|
Unemployable recipients are eligible for
medical benefits under the state-funded Medical Care Services program.
(Pregnant women recipients and children with guardian recipients are eligible
for benefits under the state Medicaid program.)
|
Inpatient and outpatient hospital care, physician
services, prescription drugs, and nursing home care.
|
|
West Virginia
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Wisconsin
(Dane County)
|
All GR recipients.
|
Inpatient and outpatient hospital care, physician
services, prescription drugs, and nursing home care for up to 30 days.
|
|
Wyoming
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
County GA Programs
|
State
(Focal County)
|
Persons Eligible for GA Medical
Assistance Program
|
GA Medical Assistance Program
Benefits
|
|
Colorado
GA (City and County of Denver)
|
No GA medical program.
|
|
Florida
(Dade County)
|
No GA medical assistance program.
|
|
Georgia
(Fulton County)
|
No GA medical assistance program.h
|
|
Kentucky
(Jefferson County)
|
No GA medical assistance program.i
|
|
Montana
(Yellowstone County)
|
General Relief recipients with a critical
medical condition.
|
Inpatient and outpatient hospital care (up
to $10,000), physician services, and prescription drugs.
|
|
North Carolina (Durham
County)
|
All GA recipients.
|
$30/month for prescription drugs and medical
supplies, limited to four months per year.
|
|
North Dakota
(Cass County)
|
No GA medical assistance program.j
|
Source: Urban Institute 1998
a. Some General Assistance recipients may be eligible
for Medicaid. In such cases, recipients would receive medical assistance through
Medicaid rather than through the GA medical assistance program.
b. Survey respondents were asked whether the medical
assistance program covered inpatient and outpatient hospital care, physician
services, prescription drugs, and/or nursing home care. Although some programs
may cover additional services, additional information is not included for consistency.
c. Idaho (Ada County). The county covers the first
$10,000 of medical expenses per case. The state covers any additional expenses.
d. Indiana. The township trustee has discretionary
powers to handle medical needs on a case-by-case basis.
e. Iowa (Polk County). Recipients are referred
to the county hospital, which has an indigent care program. In addition, some
medical needs that are not covered by the indigent care program on a case-by-case
basis may be covered through General Assistance.
f. Nebraska. Information represents the guidelines
developed by the Nebraska Association of County Officials and the state Department
of Social Services used in the administration of the General Assistance programs
for the 56 of 93 counties that elect to contract with the state.
g. South Dakota (Minnehaha County). The state sets
the medical eligibility rules and determines the benefit levels using a method
that considers the federal poverty standards, household expenses, and income.
h. Georgia (Fulton County). GA recipients are referred
to the Georgia Partnership for Care program, which provides care through a network
of volunteer providers. Income eligibility limit is 100 percent of the poverty
level.
I Kentucky (Jefferson County). Recipients are referred
to local hospitals that provide medical services for indigent persons.
j. North Dakota (Cass County). Persons are referred
to federally funded clinics.
Table
9: General Assistance Program Caseloads and Expenditures, State General Assistance
Programs, Statewide Data
(Summer 1998)
|
State
(Focal County)
|
Reporting
Period
|
Average Monthly
Caseload
|
Annual Expenditures
|
Average Monthly
Benefit
(per Case)
|
|
Alaska
1. General Relief Assistance
2. Interim Assistance
|
Fiscal year (FY) ending June 1997
|
1. 221 cases
2. 900 cases
|
1. $933,906
2. $3,008,142
|
1. $353 ($164 excluding burials)
2. Not available
|
|
Arizona
|
Calendar year (CY) 1997
|
2,731 cases
|
$5,337,343
|
Not available
|
|
California (state)
|
FY ending June 1998
|
122,765 cases
127,399 recipients
|
$326,623,158
|
Not available
|
|
Colorado
Aid to the Needy Disabled
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
|
Connecticut
|
April 1997June 1998
|
Cash only: 1,500 cases
Cash and Medical: 3,000
cases
Medical only: 9,000 cases
|
Approx. $70 million
|
Not available
|
|
Delaware
|
CY 1997
|
1,951 cases
1,966 recipients
|
$2,809,656
|
$120
|
|
District of Columbiaa
|
FY ending September 1997
|
General Public Assistance for Children
(GAC): 639 cases
GPA: 1,619 cases
|
GAC: $2,051,105
GPA: $3,391,271
|
GAC: $267
GPA: $259
|
|
Hawaiib
|
FY ending June 1997
|
Singles: 6,516 cases
Families: 701 cases
|
Singles: $27,047,944
Families: $5,352,968
|
Singles: $320
Families: $636
|
|
Kansasc
|
FY ending June 1997
|
Disabled adults:
2,299 persons
Families:
1,136 persons
|
Disabled adults: $4,348,868
Families: $1,672,378
|
Not available
|
|
Maine
|
CY 1997
|
2,838 cases
5,267 recipients
|
$7,519,927 (includes household and medical,
excludes burial costs)
|
$220.81 (includes household and medical,
excludes burial costs)
|
|
Maryland
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
$100d
|
|
Massachusetts
|
FY ending June 1997
|
16,895 cases
|
Cash assistance: $52.5
million
Medical assistance: $32.4 million
|
$327
|
|
Michigan
1. State Disability Assistance
2. State Family Assistancee
|
FY ending September 1997
|
1. 8,518 cases
8,525 recipientsf
2. 1,688 cases
2,084 recipients
|
1. $23.6 million
2. $4.6 million
|
1. $231
2. $222
|
|
Minnesota
|
FY 1997
|
11,425 cases
|
$44,180,753
|
$246
|
|
Missouri
|
FY 1997
|
5,738 cases
|
$5,394,170
|
Individual: $80
Couple: $160
|
|
Nebraska
1. State Disability Program
2. General Assistance
|
CY 1997
|
1. 117 recipients (approx.)
2. Not available
|
1. $8,400,000
2. Not available
|
1. $520 (approx.)
2. Not available
|
|
New Jersey
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
|
New Mexico
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
|
New York
|
CY 1997
|
190,289 cases
231,819 recipients
|
$737,843,786
|
$323g
|
|
Ohio
|
FY 1997
|
13,636 cases
14,620 recipients
|
Cash assistance: $20,085,646
Medical assistance: $36,057,760
|
Cash assistance: $123
|
|
Oregon
1. General Assistance
2. Temporary Assistance Program
|
1. CY 1997
2. JanuaryMay 1998h
|
1. 2,700 cases
2. 92 cases
|
1. $10,218,001
2. $126,775h
|
1. $289
2. $275
|
|
Pennsylvania
|
FY ending June 1997
|
Cash assistance: 68,613 cases
79,487 recipients
Medical assistance: 126,683
cases
148,913 recipients
|
Cash assistance: $150.3 million
Medical assistance: $511.2
million
|
$197
|
|
Rhode Island
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
|
Utah
|
FY ending June 1997
|
GA-SS: 1,000 cases
GA-WTE: 150 cases
|
GA-SS: $3,000,000 GA-WTE:
$330,000
|
$250
|
|
Vermont
|
FY ending June 1997
|
1,113 cases
|
$3,508,469
|
Not available
|
|
Virginia (state)
|
FY 1997
|
56,147
|
$8,924,867
|
Not available
|
|
Washington
1. GA-U
2. GA-S
3. GA-H
|
FY 1997
|
1. 16,798
2. 1,832
3. 162
|
1, 2 and 3. $59,200,000
|
1. and 3. $318.47
2. $314.97
|
Source: Urban Institute 1996
a. District of Columbia. The General Public Assistance
program (GPA) ended in May of 1997. Information included on the GPA program
is from October 1996 to May 1997.
b. Hawaii. General Assistance families were removed
from the GA program into the Temporary Assistance to Other Needy Families (TAONF)
program beginning in December 1996, with complete removal effective July 1997.
Prior to the shift of the GA families, the average number of family cases per
month was 1,200 and the average monthly family payment was $630.
c. Kansas. Families are no longer eligible for
assistance. All family recipients have been transferred to the state TANF program.
d. Maryland. All recipients receive a flat rate
of $100.
e. Michigan. The State Family Assistance (SFA)
program was eliminated and all SFA cases were closed in November 1997. Eligible
cases were transferred to the Family Independence Program (FIP), Michigan's
TANF program.
f. Michigan. Prior to July 1997, all State Disability
Assistance cases were single individual cases, even for married couples. Beginning
in July 1997, married couples were combined into a single case.
g. New York. The average monthly benefit for a
one-person case was $300 and the average monthly benefit for family cases was
$460.
h. Oregon. The TAP program was created in January
of 1998. Data is available for only the first five months of 1998.
Table 10: General
Assistance Program Caseloads and Expenditures, State General Assistance Programs,
County Data
(Summer 1998)
|
State
(Focal County)
|
Reporting
Period
|
Average Monthly
Caseload
|
Annual Expenditures
|
Average Monthly
Benefit
(per Case)
|
|
Idaho (Ada
County)
|
Fiscal year (FY) 1997
|
398 cases
|
$4,347,552
|
Not available
|
|
Illinois
(City of Chicago and approx. 60 other
localities receiving state funds)
1. Transitional Assistance
2. Family and Children Assistance
|
Calendar year (CY) 1997
|
1. 8,790 cases (and persons)
2. 1,082 cases
|
$19,984,258
|
1. $100
2.
One child: $102
One adult, one child: $278
Family of three: $377
|
|
Indiana
(Center Township of Marion County)
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
|
Iowa
(Polk County)
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
|
Nevada
(Clark County)
|
FY 1997
|
Cash assistance: 6,634 (total cases)
Medical assistance: 6,793 (total cases)
|
Cash assistance: $1,787,380
Medical assistance: $36,134,091
|
Not available
|
|
New Hampshire (City
of Manchester)
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
|
South Dakota (Minnehaha
County)
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
|
Wisconsin (Dane County)
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
Source: Urban Institute 1996
Table 11: General
Assistance Program Caseloads and Expenditures, County General Assistance Programs
(Summer 1998)
|
State
(Focal County)
|
Reporting
Period
|
Average Monthly
Caseload
|
Annual Expenditures
|
Average Monthly
Benefit (per Case)
|
|
Colorado
GA (City and County of Denver)
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
|
Florida
(Dade County)
|
Calendar year (CY)
1997
|
574 cases
|
$1,515,360
|
Individual: $220
Couple: $268
Family of three: $300
|
|
Georgia
(Fulton County)
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
|
Kentucky
(Jefferson County)
|
JanuaryMay 1998
|
373 households
|
$1,144,440 (FY 1997)*
|
$265
|
|
Montana
(Yellowstone County)
|
Fiscal year (FY) 1997
|
27 cases
|
$68,367
|
$212
|
|
North Carolina (Durham
County)
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
Not available
|
|
North Dakota
(Cass County)
|
1997
|
71 (total cases)
|
$55,790 ($4,060 excluding, burials)
|
Not available
|
Source: Urban Institute 1996
a. Kentucky (Jefferson County). Annual expenditure
information is for FY ending June 1997. This is the latest year for which complete
information is available
Table 12: Major
Changes to General Assistance Programs Since 1996
(Summer 1998)
State GA Programs
|
State
(Focal County)
|
Benefit Changes
|
Eligibility Changes
|
Other Major Changes
|
|
Alabama
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Alaska
|
None
|
Immigrant eligibility restricted to current
qualified immigrants only. Previously, all legal immigrants were eligible.
|
The Chronic and Acute Medical Assistance
(CAMA) program replaced the General Relief Medical Program, effective
July 1998. Pregnancy-related services are no longer covered.
|
|
Arizona
|
None
|
Immigrant eligibility restricted to qualified
immigrants only. Previously, all legal immigrants were eligible.
|
All applicants must now be fingerprinted,
effective July 1998.
|
|
Arkansas
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
California
(Los Angeles County)
|
None
|
The time limit of 5 months out of a 12-month
period for employables was implemented in February of 1998.
|
Recipients are now screened for drug use
and required to participate in treatment, effective January 1997.
|
|
Colorado
|
None
|
None
|
Applicants and recipients are periodically
tested for drug use, and recipients whose primary disability is drug or
alcohol addiction are required to participate in a treatment program,
effective January 1997.
|
|
Connecticut
|
Benefit maximums for a family of three in
Region B decreased from $543/month to $500/month, effective April 1997.
|
Employable persons without children are no
longer eligible for assistance, effective July 1997. A new category of
"transitional individuals" was created for persons with an impairment
that will interrupt employment.
Individuals with impairments lasting
fewer than two months are no longer eligible for financial assistance,
effective July 1998. However, they are still eligible for medical assistance.
Immigrant eligibility restricted to
qualified immigrants only. Previously, all legal immigrants were eligible.
Immigrant recipients are also now required to apply for citizenship, and
certain immigrants are required to reside in the state for six months
before becoming eligible for assistance, effective July 1998.
|
The county-administered General Assistance
program in Connecticut changed to the State Administered General Assistance
program in April 1997 as the state Department of Social Services began
to assume administration of General Assistance. By July 1998, only the
city of Norwich remained locally administered.
The work program was eliminated, effective
July 1997. (Employable persons are no longer eligible for assistance.)
Persons no longer have to be recipients
of SAGA cash assistance to receive medical assistance; all persons who
do not meet Medicaid categorical requirements qualify.
|
|
Delaware
|
None
|
Immigrant eligibility restricted to current
qualified immigrants and new qualified immigrants after five years. Previously,
all legal immigrants were eligible.
|
None
|
|
District of Columbia
|
Benefits were lowered in 1997 (e.g., from
$262/month to $239/month for an individual child).
|
General Public Assistance for disabled adults
awaiting SSI determination was eliminated in May 1997.
Immigrant eligibility restricted to
qualified immigrants. Previously, all legal immigrants were eligible.
|
None
|
|
Florida
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Georgia
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Hawaii
|
The benefits increased July 1997. For an
individual, benefits increased from $268/month to $340/month; for a couple,
benefits increased from $362 to $459.
|
Two-parent families are no longer eligible
for GA, effective July 1997. These families are now eligible for assistance,
along with noncitizen families, under new state TANF program called Temporary
Assistance to Other Needy Families.
The length of time a disability must
preclude employment in order to be eligible was increased from 30 days
to 60 days.
|
The work requirement was eliminated as a
result of the change in family eligibility.
There is no longer any time limit.
Length of assistance is now based on disability.
|
|
Idaho
(Ada County)
|
None
|
The maximum duration of assistance for able-bodied
adults and families of able-bodied adults was decreased from 3 months
out of 12 months to 1 month out of 12 months, effective July 1998.
|
The 30-day county residency requirement for
GA and GA medical assistance was implemented July 1998.
|
|
Illinois
(City of Chicago)
|
None
|
Pregnant women in first two trimesters are
no longer eligible for FCA; they are now covered under TANF.
TA and FCA: Immigrant eligibility restricted
to current qualified immigrants and new qualified immigrants after five
years. Previously, all legal immigrants were eligible.
|
The durational residency requirement was
eliminated by court order.
|
|
Indiana
(Center Township of Marion County)
|
|
Immigrant eligibility restricted to current
qualified immigrants and new qualified immigrants after five years. Previously,
all legal immigrants were eligible.
|
The GA medical program was eliminated in
1997.
|
|
Iowa
(Polk County)
|
None
|
None
|
The program name was changed from General
Relief to General Assistance.
|
|
Kansas
|
None
|
Families, pregnant women, and unattached
children are no longer eligible for GA; all are now eligible for Kansas's
TANF program.
The two-person eligibility category
was created in 1997.
Immigrant eligibility restricted to
current qualified immigrants and new qualified immigrants after five years.
Previously, all legal immigrants were eligible.
|
There are no longer work requirements as
a result of changes in categorical eligibility.
|
|
Kentucky
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Louisiana
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Maine
|
Benefit maximums are increased each October
to reflect the HUD fair market housing guidelines.
|
Immigrant eligibility restricted to legal
immigrants. Previously, benefits were available regardless of immigrant
status.
|
None
|
|
Maryland
|
Benefits increased from $100/month to $113/month,
effective May 1998.
|
The General Assistance for Pregnant Women
program was eliminated in 1997. Those previously eligible for General
Assistance for Pregnant Women now receive assistance under the state's
TANF program.
|
None
|
|
Massachusetts
|
None
|
None
|
Immigrants are required to apply for citizenship,
effective July 1997.
All EAEDC recipients were transferred
to the Mass Health Program (Medicaid program), effective July 1997.
|
|
Michigan
|
None
|
Michigan eliminated its State Family Assistance
(SFA) program and closed all SFA cases November 1997. All cases, except
for foster parents and emancipated minors, were transferred to Michigan's
TANF program. Immigrant eligibility
restricted to qualified immigrants who arrived before 8/23/96. Previously,
all legal immigrants were eligible.
A 12-month time limit on assistance
was eliminated.
|
None
|
|
Minnesota
|
None
|
Families and pregnant women are no longer
eligible for GA; both categories are now eligible for Minnesota's TANF
program.
Immigrant eligibility restricted to
qualified immigrants. Previously, all legal immigrants were eligible.
|
The work requirements were eliminated as
a result of changes in categorical eligibility.
Immigrants must now make an effort
to become citizens.
|
|
Mississippi
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Missouri
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
|
Montana
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Nebraska
|
None
|
SDP: Immigrant eligibility restricted to
qualified immigrants. Previously, all legal immigrants were eligible.
|
None
|
|
Nevada
(Clark County)
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
|
New Hampshire
(City of Manchester)
|
None
|
Immigrant eligibility restricted to qualified
immigrants. Previously, all legal immigrants were eligible.
|
None
|
|
New Jersey
|
For housing assistance, the maximum benefit
level for permanent housing increased from $200/month to $250/month per
individual.
|
Immigrant eligibility restricted to current
legal immigrants. Previously, all legal immigrants were eligible.
A 60-month time limit was imposed on
citizens, and a 6-month time limit was imposed on noncitizens. Previously,
assistance was provided without a time limit.
|
The program name was changed from General
Assistance to Work First New Jersey/General Assistance.
The work requirements were expanded.
|
|
New Mexico
|
None
|
Categorical eligibility was expanded to include
immigrant families who arrived after 8/22/96 and are not eligible for
TANF.
|
None
|
|
New York
|
None
|
Eligibility restricted to citizens and legal
immigrants effective January 1998. Prior to change in Safety Net Assistance,
there were no citizenship requirements.
A new 24-month time limit on cash assistance
was imposed, after which recipients may receive non-cash assistance without
a time limit, effective January 1998. Previously, cash assistance was
provided for 6 months with unlimited renewals.
|
The program name was changed from Home Relief
to Safety Net Assistance, effective January 1998.
Substance Abuse screening was implemented.
The residency requirement was increased
from 6 months to 12 months.
|
|
North Carolina
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
North Dakota
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See county GA programs.)
|
|
Ohio
|
None
|
Two-parent families and children with insufficient
work histories are no longer eligible for GA; they are now eligible for
TANF.
Immigrant eligibility restricted to
current qualified immigrants. Previously, all legal immigrants were eligible.
|
None
|
|
Oklahoma
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Oregon
|
Benefit maximums increased from $286/month
to $298/month for an individual and $572/month to $596/month for a couple,
effective 7/1/98.
|
Immigrant eligibility restricted to current
qualified immigrants. Previously, all legal immigrants were eligible.
The Temporary Assistance Program for
disabled qualified immigrants arriving after 8/22/96 was created in January
1998.
|
Aliens who are ineligible for Medicaid are
eligible for the new Citizen Alien Waived Emergency Medical program.
|
|
Pennsylvania
|
None
|
GA categorical eligibility requirements were
expanded to include pregnant women ineligible for the state's TANF program.
Persons taking health-sustaining medication
who were previously eligible for cash assistance are now only eligible
for GA medical assistance, unless they meet other GA eligibility criteria.
|
The durational residency requirement was
eliminated by court order.
|
|
Rhode Island
|
None
|
Two-parent families are no longer eligible
for GPA; they are now eligible for TANF.
Immigrant eligibility restricted to
current qualified immigrants. Previously, all legal immigrants were eligible.
|
The work requirements were eliminated as
a result of changes in categorical eligibility.
|
|
South Carolina
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
South Dakota (Minnehaha
County)
|
The benefit maximum for rent increased from
$350/month to $450/month, effective September 1998.
|
None
|
None
|
|
Tennessee
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Texas
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. (See County GA programs.)
|
|
Utah
|
Income limits and benefit maximums increased
from $245 to $261 for an individual and from $342 to $362 for a couple,
effective July 1998.
|
The few families with children who were receiving
GA-WTE are no longer eligible; they are now eligible for TANF.
Immigrant eligibility restricted to
current qualified immigrants. Previously, all legal immigrants were eligible.
|
None
|
|
Vermont
|
Benefit maximums increased, effective July
1997 (e.g., income limits and benefit maximums increased from $436/month
to $449/month for an individual in Chittenden County and from $636/month
to $656/month for a family of three in Chittenden County).
|
None
|
None
|
|
Virginia
(Fairfax County)
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
|
Washington
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
|
West Virginia
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
|
Wisconsin (Dane
County)
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
|
Wyoming
|
No state General Assistance
program or requirements. No county General Assistance programs.
|
County GA Programs
|
State
(Focal County)
|
Benefit Level Changes
|
Eligibility Changes
|
Other Major Changes
|
|
Colorado
GA (City and County of Denver)
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
|
Florida
(Dade County)
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
|
Georgia
(Fulton County)
|
None
|
Elderly persons are no longer eligible for
assistance.
|
None
|
|
Kentucky (Jefferson
County)
|
Benefit maximums increased, effective August
1997. For an individual, the maximum benefit increased from $140/month
to $305/month.
|
A six-month time limit on temporary disability
cases was established, effective February, 1998.
|
None
|
|
Montana (Yellowstone
County)
|
Benefit maximums increased, effective July
1998. For an individual-income limits and benefit maximums increased from
$261/month to $272/month.
|
None
|
None
|
|
North Carolina (Durham
County)
|
None
|
None
|
A three-month residency requirement was established.
|
|
North Dakota (Cass
County)
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
|
Texas
(Harris County)
|
The General Assistance Program was renamed
Community Assistance and a 1-month out of 12-month time limit was imposed.
Previously, assistance was provided for disabled persons for the duration
of the disability or until the final SSI determination.
|
Source: Urban
Institute 1998
Topics/Tags: | Economy/Taxes | Poverty and Safety Net Related PublicationsOther Publications by the Authors
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