General Relief / General Assistance

Attention: 

Due to the public health emergency declaration on COVID-19/Coronavirus our offices are offering limited services to the public. Our offices are open for regular business hours. 

For the safety of our customers and employees all inquiries, questions, and applications should be made via https://benefitscal.com/, or through our call center by dialing 1-888-385-5160, or via mail at P.O. Box 20400, Auburn CA 95604

For more information on Placer County’s response to the COVID-19/Coronavirus please see the following page https://www.placer.ca.gov/coronavirus

For single adults or couples with no dependent children, General Relief provides temporary cash aid for those who are not eligible for federal or state programs or other assistance programs. General Relief is a county funded program that provides financial assistance for eligible county residents who have no other means of support. All General Relief applicants must apply in person (the requirement to apply in person is temporarily waived due to the public health emergency declaration on COVID-19/Coronavirus while our office are closed) and be interviewed by an Eligibility Specialist to complete the application process (interviews are being completed by phone during the office closure).

The information on this page is for reference only. Speak to a Human Services staff member for the most up-to-date information.

  1. Am I Eligible
  2. Where Can I Apply
  3. What Do I Need to Bring
  4. FAQs

There are four basic eligibility factors:

  • Age - Individuals applying for benefits must be at least 18 years old.
  • Income - All income is counted in the month it is received, and is deducted from the total grant amount.
    • If you are eligible for Unemployment Insurance Benefits you will be required to apply for them if you have not done so already.
  • Residency - You must be a resident of Placer County for at least 15 days, and provide verification of your intent to continue to live in the county.
  • Resources - The combined value of your real and personal property shall not exceed $75.  One vehicle with the highest value is allowed.  The value of any additional vehicle cannot exceed the $75 real/personal property value.

If you own your home, you will be required to sign a lien on the property. If and when this property is sold, the county will seek reimbursement. If you are able to work you will need to register with the Employment Development Department. If you are not able to work the county will tell you what you must do to prove you cannot work.

There may be other factors considered when determining your eligibility. Eligibility Specialists meet with you individually to discuss your situation at the time of your application.