Benefits · Income Support

How to apply for General Assistance (San Luis Obispo County)

County of San Luis Obispo Department of Social Services (DSS)

Who it's for

San Luis Obispo County General Assistance (GA) provides money, vouchers, and job-related services to needy persons who are not eligible for federal or state cash-aid programs. For a low-income senior it is mainly a bridge while a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) claim is pending. To qualify, you must be a resident of San Luis Obispo County who is poor, destitute, incompetent, or incapacitated by age, disease, or accident — and is not supported by relatives, friends, or any other source. Two paths: the GA Employable Program (12-week, time-limited, requires job search at the local Job Center) or the GA Disabled Program. Apply in person at any SLO County DSS office, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. For information call 1-805-781-1600.

San Luis Obispo County GA has conditions the scan cannot check for you: you must be an SLO County resident who is poor/destitute/incompetent/incapacitated and not supported by other sources. The Employable path is capped at 12 weeks and requires job search at the local Job Center; the Disabled path requires documentation of disability. The slocounty.ca.gov GA page does not publish a maximum monthly grant amount. Apply in person at a DSS office or call 1-805-781-1600.

What you'll need

Proof of San Luis Obispo County residency
Photo identification
Proof of income, resources, and ineligibility for federal/state categorical aid
For the Employable program: registration at the local Job Center for job search
For the Disabled program: documentation of disability

Where to apply

Apply online: official application

By phone: 1-805-781-1600

Renewals

Employable: 12-week time-limited program; Disabled: ongoing with periodic redetermination

Official source →Last verified · May 24, 2026

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Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.