General Assistance

Requirements:
  • Applicants must be 18 years or older and have resided in Douglas County for the last six months.
  • Applicants must be looking for work and registered at Job Service, and must complete a Job Search form.
  • If minor children are in the household applicants must first apply for the W2 Program.
  • Applicants must sign up for the Food Stamp Employment and Training Program (FSET)
    • If disabled, must provide documentation of disability to have waived.
Criteria:
  • Students and workers on strike are not eligible.
  • There is a 60-day waiting period from last date of work if applicant quits or is fired.
  • Motor vehicles valued at more than $4,000 make applicant ineligible.
  • Ownership of more than one motor vehicle (including cars, trucks, ATVs, motorcycles, boats, snowmobiles, campers) is prohibited.
  • Capital assets, such as stocks, bonds, or savings certificates are prohibited.
  • A person sanctioned from any state or federal program is ineligible for General Assistance during that sanction period.
Information:
  • Applications are based on total monthly household income as follows:
    • 1 person - $400
    • 2 persons- $425
    • 3 persons - $450
    • 4 persons - $500
    • 5 persons - $550
  • General Assistance pays:
    • Rent payments only;  no mortgages, land contracts, or low income housing (public housing) payments are made (rent is paid to established landlords - not to relatives or friends)
    • Fuel, heat, or utilities for current monthly bill only; past due amounts are not paid
    • Medical payments for emergency hospitalizations
  • General Assistance benefit payments are paid directly to the landlord, utility, and/or fuel companies - not to the client
  • General Assistance benefit amounts:
    • 1 person - $250
    • 2 persons - $380
    • 3 persons - $430
    • 4 persons - $495
    • 5 persons - $545
  • General Assistance benefits are for one month; there is a four month waiting period before benefits can be reinstated