Poor, needy get help via general relief policy
COUNTY – The poor and needy in Shelby County are helped in numerous ways by local taxpayers under a county relief ordinance last reviewed in 2008.
General assistance is available to families or individuals who are poor and needy, when their own means, relatives or other public or private resources does not support the person.
General relief is a short term emergency assistance program that is understood to be the “payer of last resort,” and it’s not intended to provide on-going aid to any family or individual.
Indigent persons or families are able to receive food assistance; rent and shelter assistance; heat, light and water/sewer assistance; medical services, dental services and prescriptions; and even clothing vouchers, emergency telephone service and transportation assistance.