Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/431369
The People's Guide 2015 28 General Relief 4. Time Limits If you are able to work, DPSS will classify you as "employable." "Employable" people can only get GR for 9 months in any 12 month period. If you cannot work due to health problems, DPSS will send you for a medical exam. The doctor decides if you are too ill or disabled to work. If so, DPSS will call you "unemployable". "Unemployable" people can get cash aid year round. You may have to go for medical exams more than once a year to stay "unemployable." DPSS can change you back to "employable" and the 9 month time limit on aid will apply to you, What Do I Get in GR? 1. Basic Benefits The maximum monthly cash aid is $221. In addition to the cash aid, you can get: • Automatic enrollment in MediCal, a free health insurance program for low-income LA County residents. • Free health care from any county hos- pital or clinic (800)-427-8700 • Bus tokens to all required appointments related to keeping benefits including- medical appointments, vendor lodging and meal voucher locations (when the one-way distance is one mile or more or you are unable to walk a mile), and EDD offices • A personal care kit (DPSS will deduct $5 from your GR benefit) • Sanitary napkins • Housing repairs if there is a lien on your house (Homeowner's Special Needs) • Supplements for medically required diets • A referral to a county-paid drug or alcohol recovery program • You will also get CalFresh (food stamps) 2. Emergency Benefits When you apply for GR, you may be eli- gible to receive the following emergency benefits: • Emergency Housing - If you are home- less, tell the person who interviews you at the DPSS office. If you can get GR and are homeless, DPSS will give you hotel vouchers for up to two weeks. However, $4.53 per night will be taken out of your first GR check for the hotel vouchers. You can refuse to take a hotel voucher. If you take the vouchers but don't use them, DPSS will still take the money out. To stop that you must ask in writing to cancel the voucher. You can ask that DPSS change the location of your voucher. You can also call (800) 255-0905 to complain about the conditions at the voucher hotel. • Emergency Food - You may be entitled to CalFresh (formerly known as Food Stamps) or food vouchers the day you apply (see page 32 CalFresh/Food Stamps.). If you do not get CalFresh/ Food Stamps, and no voucher restau- rant is open or in your area, you should get cash ($2.17 per meal). Ask for as many meals (up to 3 a day) as you will need. Remember, any meal vouchers or cash issued to you will be deducted from your first GR cash aid check. • Aid to Prevent Eviction - You can get up to $272 to stop an eviction. You need a letter from your landlord that says 1. you did not pay your rent this month or last month and 2. he or she will not evict you if DPSS pays the $272. The money will be paid directly to your landlord. • Aid for Utilities- You can get cash aid to turn your utilities back on or to stop a shut-off. This money will be paid directly to the utility company. You need to show DPSS proof from the utility company that the cash aid will stop the shut-off. 3. Earned Income Disregard Any earnings in the 30 days before your application will reduce how much you can get in GR the first moth. Once you are on GR cash aid, you can earn up to $200 a month with no cut in your cash aid. If you earn between $201 and $620, your cash aid will be cut. Once on GR, you can also save up to $1,500. Always report your earned income to your worker. How Do I Apply? 1. Regular Application Go to the closest DPSS (Department of Public Social Services) office that takes GR applications to apply. (see page 70 for a list of Welfare Offices). Be prepared for a long day. Remember that you have the right to apply that day. Tell the worker that you need GR. You will have to fill out a "screening" sheet and an application. Bring with you identification and papers like pay stubs, bank accounts, and car title that prove your income and resources. Every GR applicant has a right to request "Expedited CalFresh/Food Stamps" . In general, expedited service is available to individuals who have less than $150/month in gross income and less than $100 in available resources.You can get your food stamps that same day or no later than three days. You will be fingerprinted and photographed when you apply for GR. If your fingerprints match those of another welfare recipient in the state, you will be denied GR pending investigation. You can appeal this decision. Your fingerprints cannot be shared with any other agency; but if a law-enforcement agency requests information about some- one wanted on an arrest warrant, DPSS must give them their name, address, and physical description. Also, DPSS may inform law-enforcement officials of your presence in the DPSS office if you are a fleeing felon. If you are denied GR be- cause you are a fleeing felon, contact legal services (see Good Advice p. 68 ) and the Public Defender's Office: (213)974-2811. If you don't have ID when you apply, you may get GR for up to 60 days. You must get ID during that 60 days. Make sure that you give your worker a reli- able address for you. Your home address and mailing address do not have to be the same. If you are homeless, you can use the DPSS address to pick up your mail. If you use the DPSS address you must check for your mail at least once a week. Some community organizations and shelters provide free mail service. Having a good address is important so DPSS can get in touch with you and you can get Notices from them. Soon, you may also be able to have them send notices by text message. You must be helped that same day if you are in the office before it closes. If you need help immediately, you should get it. If anyone does not let you apply or tells you to come back the next day, insist on speaking to a worker, and then a supervisor, and then the deputy director, if necessary. The county has 30 calendar days to approve or deny your case and issue GR cash aid. Your cash aid will be given to you on an Electronic Benefits Transfer ("EBT") card. When your EBT card is given to you, you will also select a personal identification number ("PIN"). Using your EBT card and your PIN, you can get your GR Cash Aid at any ATM. Your DPSS worker should provide you with a list of ATMs in the area. Be careful as some ATMs charge a fee. Grocery stores usually do not.