General Relief

General Relief (GR) is a County-funded program that provides temporary cash aid to indigent (very low income) adults who do not qualify for Federal or State programs. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens or legal permanent residents to qualify.

GR is a short-term loan. All clients applying for GR are asked to sign a lien to reimburse the County for the aid received. The lien is imposed on future payments awarded from Worker's Compensation and Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) claims. Participation in the CalFresh Employment and Training (CFET) program will be counted to reduce the amount of repayment obligation.

Adults applying for GR fall under two categories: employable or unemployable.

Unemployable participants must provide proof of disability. Many people in this group are awaiting federal government approval of their total disability claims (SSI/SSP). Our SSI/SSP Advocates provide participants with assistance with the SSI/SSP application process. The SSI/SSP Advocates may also help participants get to appointments and stabilize their living situations until the disability income is approved. Unemployable participants are not required to participate in CFET.

Employable participants are required to participate in the CFET program. CFET is California's employment and training program for CalFresh applicants and recipients who do not receive assistance under the CalWORKS program. CFET activities include Workfare / Work Experience performing necessary labor at local community sites. Other employment services include referrals to Supervised Job Search offered by the Department of Social Services (DSS) or to America's Job Center of California (AJCC) services offered by the Workforce Development Board, where participants receive assistance in seeking and securing a job.

As an employable participant of the General Relief Program, you are required to watch the CalFresh / General Relief Orientation video (YouTube, 6 minutes). Once you have viewed the entire video, you must submit the W-684 Receipt of Online Video form (English, Spanish). You can submit the W-684 form online through OCTOPUS, or submit it to your local DSS district office (locations shown below) by mail or in person.

How can I apply?

For General Relief, you must apply in person at one of our three district offices in Santa Barbara, Lompoc, or Santa Maria, shown below. 

Social Services District Office Locations

City Location Days/Hours
Santa Barbara 234 Camino del Remedio
(805) 681-4401		 Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Lompoc 1100 W. Laurel Ave.
(805) 737-7080		 Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Santa Maria 2125 S. Centerpointe Pkwy.
(805) 346-7135		 Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Outstation Sites in the Community

City Location Days/Hours
Carpinteria Family Resource Center
5241 Eighth Street
(805) 681-4401		 Every Tuesday
9:00am-3:00pm
Santa Barbara Franklin Service Center
1111 E. Mason Street, Room 12
(805) 681-4401		 Every Wednesday
9:00am-2:00pm
Santa Barbara PATH/Casa Esperanza
816 Cacique Street
(805) 681-4401		 Every Wednesday
9:30am-11:00am
Santa Maria Marian Hospital
1400 E. Church Street
(805) 346-7135		 Every Monday 9am-12pm
Every Thursday 1pm-4pm
Solvang People Helping People
545 N. Alisal Road, Suite 102
(805) 737-7080		 Every other Tuesday
9:00am-noon