WELFARE IN ORANGE COUNTY : SPELLING OUT RELIEF

RECIPIENTS: Orange County’s 2,252 general relief cases consist mostly of transients, refugees and older single people. According to county officials, 810 cases who are considered employable participate in the county’s general work relief program. Single-person households represent 89% of all cases who, due to age and other limiting factors such as illiteracy, no labor skills and physical disabilities, are seeking federal assistance through Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

ELIGIBILITY: Many general relief recipients “only own the clothes on their backs,” say county officials. The program’s strict requirements limit an individual’s net value of personal property to $1,000, $5,000 in real estate.

FINANCIAL AID/ASSISTANCE: As of July 1, 1987, Orange County adopted the state’s Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) assistance standards, thus increasing monthly grants from $289 to $311. This amount will increase on July 1, in accordance with state assistance standards for individuals and families. Also, individuals receiving Orange County general relief are eligible for up to $81 in federal food stamps.

SUPPLEMENTAL AID/SPECIAL PROGRAMS: Individuals seeking AFDC funds may not have income levels in excess of 185% of the basic care allowed. For example, an employed single mother with one child cannot have a monthly income more than $945, real and personal property value limits cannot exceed $1,850 and automobile ownership is limited to one car valued at $1,500.

As of February 2, refugees are eligible for 24 months of financial aid based on AFDC standards through the Refugee Demonstration Project (RDP), a 100% federally-funded program. Recipients who move to different states are entitled to benefits based on initial eligibility date in the originating state.

Source: Orange County Social Services Agency