Financial Eligibility Requirements

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What are the financial eligibility requirements?

What non-liquid resources can I have?

What liquid resources can I have?

How is my income counted?

Frequently asked questions about financial eligibility

NOTE: Glossary words are highlighted. Click on any glossary word to see its definition.

What are the financial eligibility requirements?

There are two types of financial eligibility requirements: resources and income. 

Resources

When you apply for GA, you will be asked to demonstrate your liquid and non-liquid resources. 

·         “Non-liquid” resources means land and the structures, including mobile homes, and improvements that are on that land.

·         “Liquid” resources means all property (other than property such as real estate) and includes bank accounts, cash, motor vehicles, livestock, tools, equipment, and rights to receive money, such as stocks, bonds, contract rights, and insurance policies.

To be eligible, the value of all countable personal and real property that belongs to you or your benefit group, cannot exceed the liquid or non-liquid resource limits. The liquid resource limit is $1,500 and the non-liquid resource limit is $2,000.

If you have too many liquid or non-liquid resources, you will not be eligible for General Assistance. The benefits you receive from General Assistance are reduced the more income you have.

Household Size	85% Gross Annual Income Limit	85% Gross Monthly Income Limit
One person	$9,216	$768
Two persons	$12,396	$1,033
Three persons	$15,564	$1,297
Four persons	$18,744	$1,562
Five Persons	$21,936	$1,828
Six persons	$25,104	$2,092
Seven persons	$28,284	$2,357
Eight persons	$31,464	$2,622
For each additional person:	Add $3,180	Add $265

What non-liquid resources can I have?

The value of countable real property owned by or considered available to the benefit group, is considered in determining whether non-liquid resources exceed $2,000. Grazing permits are considered to be real property.

Your home is not included in your non-liquid resource limits. The value of your home is not considered in determining eligibility.  This includes the land that your home is on, any outbuildings like a barn or a garage, and anything necessary for the operation and maintenance of the home.

Also excluded from non-liquid resources are burial plots. One burial plot for each person in the benefit group are excluded; a burial plot shall consist of the space needed to bury a member of the immediate family.

What liquid resources can I have?

The value of liquid resources owned by or considered available to the benefit group cannot exceed $1,500. Liquid resources includes such things as cash, cash available in bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and other such negotiable assets, cash value of a life insurance policy, and lump-sum payments, such as gambling winnings.

The following types of resources are excluded when determining the value:

• Vehicles that are used to transport individuals who are part of the benefit group to and from work and school
• Vehicles that are specially equipped for the handicapped
• Individual development accounts (must be designated for a specific, qualified purpose)
• Prepaid funeral agreements
• Work-related equipment in an amount not to exceed $1,000
• Livestock

Recreational vehicles, such as an RV or boat, are counted in the resource limit.

How is my income counted?

The Human Services Department (HSD) looks at total monthly income to decide eligibility. Both earned income (such as wages from a job) and unearned income (such as VA benefits and unemployment insurance) are counted. Some types of income are not counted (such as SSI, and foster care payments you receive). There are special rules about housing subsidies, fuel assistance, and gifts of money or other items you receive from friends to help your family. Your HSD worker will explain these income rules to you.

If you have earned income, you are allowed certain deductions for work expenses and child care costs. Check with your HSD worker to make sure you are getting all the deductions you are allowed. Your total countable income minus these deductions is your net countable income.

To be eligible for General Assistance (GA), your net countable income has to be less than the GA standard of assistance for your family size. The standard of assistance differs depending on your living situation, how many people you live with, if you live with GA or TANF recipients, if you have shelter costs, or if you are homeless.

Frequently asked questions about financial eligibility

Once I have been approved for GA, what kind of changes can affect my eligibility?

• If you are receiving more or less income
• If your household has lost or gained members
• If you have changed your address

Can I receive GA if I receive other benefits?

Yes, you can have GA and other benefits. Some of the benefits you can also receive are food stamps, fuel assistance, and burial expenses. You cannot already receive:

• Another form of cash assistance
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) unless you are a disabled adult in a licensed care facility.
• Federally-funded benefits like TANF, Bureau of Indian Affairs-GA, or other tribal program.
• Government-funded adoption subsidies.
• GA from another state.