The past year was not easy for the residents of the U.S. from middle and low-income households in America. It was marred by supply chain issues, drastically increasing the prices of commodities.
As residents across the country struggled to cope with the price increases, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent sanctions imposed on Russian oil imports sent the economy into a descent, with gas prices reaching record highs in the following months.
California was one of the worst hits, with the average price of a gallon of gas exceeding $6, making it the most expensive state to fill up your car.
With inflation reaching 40-year highs, the Federal Reserve intervened with a series of interest rate increases, which somehow lessened the impact of the inflation rate. While gas prices continue to fall, America remains in a cost-of-living crisis, with interest rate hikes now putting the economy on the verge of a recession.
Given the current state of affairs, many residents have turned to welfare programs to help them meet their basic daily costs. The General Assistance program is one of California’s lesser-known schemes.
What is General Assistance?
General Assistance is a program in California that provides cash assistance to underprivileged adults and emancipated minors who cannot sustain themselves financially and reside in Almeda County.
It’s important to remember that GA isn’t a welfare program, and the amount given to eligible individuals is classified as a loan.
The maximum allowance under the GA scheme is $336 per month for single individuals and $548 per month for couples. People who are eligible for the program can take advantage of it. This may not be much, but it helps alleviate their financial crisis.