Board advances changes to general assistance ordinance to ease funeral-assistance barriers

Board members reviewed proposed edits to the county’s general assistance ordinance aimed at clarifying who may apply for limited funeral assistance and when exemptions to the work-seeking requirement should apply.

Staff recommended allowing next of kin to apply for funeral assistance when the deceased lived alone and permitting a funeral home to apply on behalf of a deceased person when no next of kin or household member is available. The board also discussed exempting newly widowed spouses from the work-seeking requirement when they were not employed or seeking employment prior to the decedent’s death; members framed the change as a narrowly tailored exception for cases of recent bereavement.

Board members and staff emphasized coordination with other benefit programs (veterans benefits, community services) to avoid duplication; staff will draft ordinance language and return the amendment for a formal hearing and adoption.

"Allow next of kin to apply for funeral assistance if the deceased lived alone," staff read as a recommended change during the discussion. The board asked staff to refine language so the county does not provide duplicate benefits to nonresidents and to clarify income and utility inclusions in the ordinance.