Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Nicole Pollack, Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: Adopt a resolution authorizing the Director of the Human Services Agency or her designee to modify the Rules and Regulations of the General Assistance Program
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing the Director of the Human Services Agency or her designee to modify the Rules and Regulations of the General Assistance (GA) Program by increasing:
A) The General Assistance grant to the same level as the CalWORKs grant, consistent with the statutory formula, effective April 1, 2019; and
B) The maximum grant of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) board and care rate for those General Assistance recipients who reside in board and care facilities pending SSI approval from $1,173 per month to $1,194 per month, effective January 1, 2019.
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BACKGROUND:
State law requires counties to provide support for indigent county residents who do not qualify for other financial assistance. Counties meet this requirement by providing financial assistance through the General Assistance (GA) program. The GA program provides this financial assistance in the form of vouchers for essential services and a minimal cash grant to individuals who have no minor children and whose income and property do not exceed certain limits. It is incumbent on the Board of Supervisors to set the County "standard of aid."
Since 1993, San Mateo County has chosen to set its GA grant levels according to a statutory formula which requires GA to be based on and subject to the same annual adjustment as CalWORKs grant levels (Welfare and Institutions Code section 17000.5). Compliance with the formula relieves the County of the requirement of setting the grant based on the cost of subsistence in the County. It ensures consistency of grant levels between counties and discourages recipients from "grant shopping."
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