Application Process

Date of Filing

The "date of filing” is the date on which the applicant submits a signed “Application for General Assistance” (GA 1) and an “Identification and Intake Record” (SCD 41).

Recording of Application

All GA applications shall be recorded as pending within one (1) working day after the completion of a signed “Application for General Assistance” (GA 1) and an “Identification and Intake Record” (SCD 41).

Beginning Date of Aid

The “beginning date of aid” is the first date on which General Assistance becomes effective. Benefits for all GA applicants shall be effective on the earliest of:

The date of determination of eligibility; OR
The tenth day following the date of filing a signed application.

Example 1Example 1Joe Smith completes an SCD 41 and a GA 1 on July 7. He sees an Intake EW on July 9, and clears eligibility on July 15. The beginning date of aid is July 15 (the date of eligibility determination).
Example 2Example 2Mary Brown completes an SCD 41 and a GA 1 on July 7, but doesn't see an Intake EW until August 12. She clears eligibility on August 25. The beginning date of aid is July 17 (the tenth day following the date of filing a signed application).

Immediate Need/Emergency Payment

The EW will be responsible for making immediate need determinations whenever the client claims to be in immediate need. Refer to Presumptive Eligibility in the Payment chapter.

Interview Requirements

Clients have the option of in-person interviews or telephone interviews. The application will be denied if the client fails to attend their scheduled interview appointment.

Clients may request to change their interview appointment and a new appointment date may be given within 45 days from the date of application. The application shall be processed using the original application date.

[Refer to "Intake Interview Process" in the DEBS BP].

Withdrawal of Application

Applicants who decide to withdraw their applications for GA or refuse to apply for a program for which they are potentially eligible, shall be requested to complete a “Withdrawal of Application” (SCD 166).

The EW must document the withdrawal/refusal from the program(s) as well as the receipt of the signed SCD 166 (or the applicant's refusal to sign the SCD 166) in a CalSAWS Journal Entry.

[Refer to "General Case Rejection Criteria" in the DEBS BP].

Reapplication

If the applicant reapplies within 30 days of denial, the applicant will be referred to the same Intake EW if possible, otherwise they will be referred through the normal intake process.
If the client reapplies after being discontinued, the Intake EW will only be responsible for the case until the effective date of discontinuance.

Reapplication after Sanction

If a sanction is imposed and a reapplication is filed fifteen (15) days before the end of the sanction period, the application will be processed before the end of the sanction period. The beginning date of aid will be the first day following the end of the sanction period.
If a sanction is imposed and a reapplication is filed more than fifteen (15) days before the end of the sanction period, the application will be denied.

Important: At no time shall GA become effective before the end of the sanction period.