How to apply for General Assistance (Sonoma County)

Who it's for

Sonoma County General Assistance (GA) provides temporary cash assistance to individuals who have little or no money — paid on an EBT card and intended to help with essentials such as rent, utilities, transportation, toiletries, and food. 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. Employable adults may receive GA for up to 90 days within a 12-month period; people with disabilities can receive GA longer, until their doctor's note expires (the doctor's note is the bridging mechanism while SSI is pursued). To qualify, you must be unable to support yourself, have no personal or family resources, be ineligible for federal and state aid (including CalWORKs / SonomaWORKs), be a Sonoma County resident for at least 15 days, and be a U.S. citizen or qualified immigrant. To apply, call 1-877-699-6868; on your first visit you will register for an orientation held on Tuesday or Thursday, then schedule an in-person interview.

What you'll need

• Proof of Sonoma County residency (at least 15 days)
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or qualified immigrant status
• Proof of income and resources
• Documentation showing ineligibility for federal/state aid (CalWORKs/SonomaWORKs, SSI/SSDI, etc.)
• Doctor's note documenting disability (for the longer-than-90-day eligibility path)

Where to apply

Renewals

Employable adults: up to 90 days within a 12-month period; disabled adults: extends until the doctor's note expires (with the goal of bridging to SSI)