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Cash Assistance for Individuals | General Assistance Nevada County, CA

Cash Assistance for Individuals | General Assistance Nevada County, CA

Phone number
530-265-1340
Category
Money
Auto tags
Eligibility
Nevada County, CA adult residents who are not eligible for CalWORKs, SSI/SSP, or other federal/state cash aid. Employable applicants must register with Cal-JOBS and complete weekly job searches.
Auto Summary
Nevada County's General Assistance (GA) is an emergency cash program for adults who don't qualify for CalWORKs, SSI/SSP, or other federal/state aid. It's a repayable grant — not an entitlement — that helps cover basic needs while you work on longer-term benefits or income. Employable adults must register with Cal-JOBS and turn in weekly job searches. Apply online at BenefitsCal.com, by phone at 530-265-1340, or in person at the Nevada City, Grass Valley, or Truckee public assistance office. Bring ID, proof of residence, immigration/citizenship, income, and property.
Value
Emergency supplemental cash assistance for individuals ineligible for federal or state aid programs
Espanol
Asistencia en Efectivo para Individuos | Asistencia General del Condado de Nevada, CA - El programa de Asistencia General del Condado de Nevada proporciona ayuda suplementaria de emergencia en efectivo a personas que no son elegibles para programas de ayuda federal o estatal como CalWORKs o SSI/SSP. Es un préstamo reembolsable, no un derecho adquirido. Los solicitantes pueden aplicar en línea en BenefitsCal.com o en persona en las oficinas de Truckee o Nevada City.
URL
https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/1626/Cash-Assistance-for-Individuals
Last verified 2026-05-17

What this is

Nevada County's General Assistance (GA) is an emergency cash program for adults who don't qualify for any other state or federal aid (like CalWORKs or SSI/SSP). It helps cover basic needs while you work on getting longer-term benefits or a job.
GA is a repayable grant, not an entitlement. The county can ask you to pay it back later (for example, if you get back SSI benefits or start earning income). [Source: nevadacountyca.gov/1626/Cash-Assistance-for-Individuals (accessed 2026-05-17)]

Who qualifies

  • You live in Nevada County, CA
  • You're an adult who is not eligible for CalWORKs, SSI/SSP, or other federal/state cash aid
  • You can prove residence, identity, citizenship or eligible immigration status, income, and property
  • If you can work, you must sign up for Cal-JOBS and turn in proof of a weekly job search
The county doesn't publish the monthly grant amount online. Call 530-265-1340 to ask what you'd get based on your situation.

What you get

  • A monthly cash grant to cover basic needs (housing, food, essentials)
  • Employment services and Cal-JOBS support if you're employable
  • The grant is repayable — keep records of what you receive

How to apply

You can apply three ways:
  1. Online: BenefitsCal.com — apply, upload documents, renew, or report changes
  1. In person at any of Nevada County's three public assistance offices (below)
  1. By phone: call 530-265-1340 to start

Bring these documents

  • Photo ID (driver's license, state ID)
  • Social Security card
  • Proof of where you live (rental lease, utility bills in your name)
  • Birth certificate or proof of citizenship/immigration status
  • Recent pay stubs or proof of any income
  • Bank statements
  • Proof of any property you own (including vehicles)
If you're missing some of these, apply anyway — staff can help you figure out what you need. [Source: nevadacountyca.gov/1626/Cash-Assistance-for-Individuals (accessed 2026-05-17)]

Where to go

Nevada County has three public assistance offices. The main phone for all of them is 530-265-1340. Staff speak English and Spanish; other languages are available through translation services. [Source: nevadacountyca.gov/903/Public-Assistance-Offices (accessed 2026-05-17)]
  • Eric Rood Administrative Center — 950 Maidu Avenue, Suite 120, Nevada City, CA 95959
  • Brighton Greens Resource Center — 988 McCourtney Road, Grass Valley, CA 95949
  • Joseph Center — 10075 Levon Avenue, Truckee, CA 96161

Common pitfalls

  • Missing the weekly job search. If you're employable, you must register with Cal-JOBS and turn in proof of job searches every week. Missing this can stop your benefits.
  • Forgetting it's a loan. GA is repayable. If you later get SSI back-pay or other lump-sum income, the county can collect what you owe.
  • Not reporting changes. Report income, address, or household changes through BenefitsCal.com or by calling 530-265-1340. Unreported changes can cause overpayments you'll owe back.
  • Skipping the application because you "won't qualify." Apply anyway. The eligibility worker will tell you what aid you actually qualify for — sometimes it's a different program (CalFresh, Medi-Cal, CAPI, etc.).

Other things to know

  • You can also use BenefitsCal.com to apply, upload documents, renew benefits, or report changes for other Nevada County aid programs
  • For a new BIC or EBT card, call 530-265-1340
  • To check your EBT balance, call 1-877-328-9677
  • Medi-Cal annual renewals resumed after the COVID-era continuous-coverage waiver ended in 2023. Watch your mail for renewal packets; update your address by calling 530-265-1340

Where to get help

  • Phone: 530-265-1340 (main Nevada County Public Assistance line)
  • Walk in to any of the three offices above
  • If your case is denied and you disagree, you have the right to a state hearing. Ask the office for the appeal form, or call 1-800-952-5253.

Sources