General Assistance is a program administered by a municipality for the immediate aid of person who are unable to provide the basic necessities essential to maintain themselves or their families. The program is a division of the Department of Human Services and is mandated by State Statutes and Municipal Ordinances, which are on file at the General Assistance Office. Maximum levels of assistance are established for determination of eligibility.
In order to receive General Assistance you must follow program rules and meet eligibility conditions. Assistance is issued in the form of a voucher for the following basic needs:
• Rent/Mortgage
• Heating fuel
• Utilities
• Food
• Personal supplies
• Household supplies
• Non-elective medical services
• Telephone when medically necessary
General Assistance has developed into a program that makes recipients more accountable and encourages self-reliance. A person applying for this assistance is required to utilize all available resources, i.e. TANF, food stamps, Medicaid, fuel assistance, subsidized daycare, etc. General assistance is intended to provide immediate aid, thus assistance must be granted or denied within 24 hours of an application. It is for people who are unable - not unwilling - to maintain themselves or their families.
| 