General Assistance (GA) is a state-funded assistance program providing cash and other services for eligible persons. The GA program started in 1936 and was eliminated with Act 2012-80 (Act 80) as of August 1, 2012. On July 18, 2018, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania struck down Act 80, requiring DHS to reinstate the GA program.
Because GA is a totally state-funded category, the state also has the sole authority to establish the eligibility requirements for the program, based on the provisions of the Human Services Code.
The GA category applies to certain individuals who do not meet all of the requirements for TANF or Extended TANF. The category symbol is D.
Policy in this handbook chapter relates to GA cash assistance only. Cash policy that relates to both GA and TANF is described in other Cash Assistance Handbook chapters, with links from this chapter as needed. GA medical assistance requirements are found in the Medical Assistance Eligibility Handbook.
Each individual must provide certain information to enable the CAO to determine the program of assistance for which he is eligible.
Generally, an individual may receive assistance in only one Cash Assistance program at one time, with the exception of Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which may be received in conjunction with another program.
It is important that the category be determined correctly since the treatment of income and resources depends on the category.
The CAO will determine category based on the circumstances of the individual. In all cases, the CAO will first determine if the individual meets the conditions for a Federal category. The CAO will authorize GA only if the individual does not qualify for TANF including Extended TANF (C or U) and if all applicable eligibility criteria are met.
55 Pa. Code §141.61(a)(1)(xii)
An individual who is eligible for both TANF (including Extended TANF) and SSI may choose which benefit he wishes to receive. He may not receive both TANF and SSI at the same time.
REMINDER: An individual who is unable to engage in any gainful employment because of a disability must apply for SSI as a condition of eligibility unless the disability is expected to be temporary. An individual with a disability which is permanent or expected to last for 12 months or more must apply for SSI/SSDI and should be referred to the Disability Advocacy Program (DAP), see Supplemental Handbook Chapter 820, Disability Advocacy Program.
An individual who is eligible for more than one state-funded program may choose the cash assistance program to be authorized.
There are no age requirements for General Assistance (GA). GA is available to a person of any age who does not qualify for TANF. An emancipated minor may apply for GA for himself or on behalf of others as long as he is meeting GA categorical requirements. Some unemancipated minors may also be able to apply for themselves. See Section 106.31.
Interim assistance is General Assistance (GA), or State Blind Pension (SBP) granted to individuals:
These individuals must:
A GA individual whose SSI has been suspended must cooperate with the Social Security Administration in having his eligibility re-determined.
The CAO will authorize GA for those individuals who are eligible. The CAO will review the case to ensure that SSA is reevaluating the individual's eligibility. If not, the CAO will advise the individual that he is required to cooperate with SSA.
Certain SSI recipients may also qualify for interim assistance if their SSI or other income check is lost, stolen, or delayed, or if a change in circumstances would entitle them to a higher SSI payment.
GA and SBP individuals must sign a reimbursement agreement if:
These individuals are required to repay the amount of assistance granted to them pending their receipt of SSI.
The reimbursement forms OIG-176-SSI and FIRM 176 must be signed, as well as the PA 162-S, before authorizing interim assistance.
See Section 136.22 Reimbursement, General Assistance and State Blind Pension
Issued November 2, 2018