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Douglas County considers new General Assistance rules as budget strains mount; public hearing left open
Summary
Director Melissa Sewick proposed rewriting General Assistance eligibility into two pathways (medically unable to work — ongoing; medically able to work — up to three months/year) and raising the maximum shelter payment from $800 to $850 to address budget shortfalls; the board left the public hearing open and scheduled final action for Dec.16.
Melissa Sewick, director of Douglas County General Assistance, presented proposed guideline revisions on Dec. 2 that would narrow ongoing eligibility and create two eligibility tracks: continuous assistance for those medically unable to work (pending Social Security outcomes) and a limited-term, annual cap for those medically able to work.
Sewick told commissioners that "department's funding levels are not sufficient to sustain the program in its existing form" and that the county will face continuing budget pressure without changes. She said 961…
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