General Relief

The county-funded General Relief program offers small short-term loans to adults without children, who need assistance to meet their most basic shelter and personal needs. Adults applying for General Relief fall under two categories: employable or unemployable.

Employable participants are required to repay the county funds issued by participating in a Work Project -- performing necessary labor at local sites, such as the Social Services or Parks departments or a local homeless charity. Other employment services include referrals to Job Club and Job Search, where participants receive four weeks of assistance in seeking and securing a job.

Unemployable participants must provide proof of disability. Many people in this group are awaiting federal government approval of their total disability claims (SSI/SSP). Participants must sign an agreement to repay the county funds issued by deductions from future disability benefits. Our SSI/SSP Advocates provide participants with assistance with the SSI/SSP application process, and can help clients get to appointments and stabilize their living situations until the disability income is approved.

How can I apply?

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

Social Services 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