Save General Assistance Unemployable

Remy Trupin, Executive Director of the Washington State Budget and Policy Center, had an Op Ed published in the Seattle Times citing the importance of GAU.  You can read the piece here.

You can watch a short film about GAU and clients served by Washington State’s GAU program by going here.

The legislature will soon release its budget.  The deficit has only grown worse while the need – especially for GAU – has remained  This is especially true for the countless veterans who have served in the military, sustained combat injuries, cannot work, and are waiting for veterans benefits.

here are a few more stories from real GAU clients in Washington State.

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The Budget and Policy Center released an analysis on the general assistance programs across the country and found 31 states have some sort of GA program.  You can read their analysis here.

The coalition to save GAU has been busy at work collecting and recording the true stories of GAU clients from across Washington State.  Here are just a few stories.

GAU clients come from all walks of life and very different circumstances.  Each client has one thing in common though – they are unable to work because of a disability.  GAU clients are some of the neediest among us.  They depend on GAU medical and on the small $339 a month stipend they receive each month.

Check back frequently for more stories and information on General Assistance Unemployable.

This recipient is fifty-five. She has been receiving GAX for four years. In that time she has applied for SSI and been denied twice. Her appeal is pending. She would like to return to work part-time, and is working with a psychiatrist on her mental health issues. She also suffers from addiction. The medical benefits pay for her to get treatment.

This recipient lives in the Union Gospel Mission in Pasco, WA. He suffers from depression, a learning disability, and possibly bi-polar disorder. His access to GAU benefits helps him to survive.

This interview is with the ex-wife of a current GAU recipient. Although she is no longer married to him, she has taken him in to her home because he is too ill to live alone. He was hit in a car crash in 2004. He suffered head trauma. This causes him to have seizures; he has also suffered a stroke, dementia, and diabetes. He is eligible for SSI, and has an application pending.

This recipient is a victim of domestic violence, from which she has sustained nerve damage. She also has breast cancer. Her GAU benefits allow her to get the physical therapy she needs, and to get treatment for her cancer. She is currently living in a homeless shelter, and saving her cash benefits for her own home.

This recipient has two- month-old twins and a sixteen-month-old. He suffered traumatic brain injury in a car accident, and now has both short-term and long-term memory loss. He is awaiting SSI.

Interviews conducted by Robin Zukoski and Diane Garcia.  Editing done by Lucas Cuellar.