Facts

The Public Interest Law Project (PILP), Paul Hastings, and Bay Area Legal Aid, brought suit on behalf of six indigent residents of Contra Costa County for allegedly unlawful delays in providing General Assistance (GA) benefits, which is a last resort aid for severely indigent residents.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
PILP claimed that the average six-month delay in the subsistence of benefits for assessments, interviews, and numerous meetings was unlawful. PILP further claimed that the county denied any retroactive benefits to those ultimately found to be eligible.

Result

The parties settled the matter. The County agreed to: bring application time down to 30 days after a 45-day transition period to process applications; eliminate requirements for job searches, medical evaluations, and meetings before aid begins; make retroactive payments; provide awards for waiting time; disperse GA funds beginning in January 2010; and, attempt to locate those no longer receiving GA benefits but still entitled to a waiting time award.