Georgia Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) #
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Georgia TANF is the monthly cash assistance program for poor families with children under age 18. The program goal is to provide necessary assistance to needy families with children on a temporary basis.
In Georgia, receipt of cash assistance is limited to 48 months in a lifetime. Recipients are also required to participate in a work program for at least 30 hours weekly.
How much do you get for TANF in Georgia?
Georgia pays a maximum of $280 a month to a family of three with a monthly income of $784 or less and countable assets of not more than $1,000.
How do I apply for TANF in Georgia?
To apply for TANF, contact the county Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) office in the county where you live or you may apply online via Georgia Gateway.
Georgia Food Stamps #
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Georgia Food Stamps (SNAP) provides monthly benefits to low-income families to help pay for the cost of food. The average family in Georgia on food stamps received about $402 a month.
Unless otherwise exempted, those receiving food stamps in 24 counties across the state must work at least 20 hours a week, be enrolled in state-approved job training, or volunteer for a state-approved non-profit or charity.
How do I apply for food stamps in Georgia?
You may apply for food stamps online with Georgia Gateway or call (404) 206-5300 to have an application mailed to you. After your application is filed, an interview will be arranged by a staff person from DFCS to determine your family’s eligibility.
Georgia Emergency Food Assistance Program #
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The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is one of the two Commodity Food Programs administered by the state of Georgia to help supplement the diets of low-income individuals in Georgia, including the elderly, by providing them with emergency food and nutrition assistance at no cost.
This program is available in all 159 counties in Georgia. To find a food bank in your area, click on the following link: Find Foodbanks in Georgia
Georgia Special Program for Women, Infants & Children (WIC) #
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WIC helps low-income families with checks or vouchers to buy healthy supplemental foods from WIC-authorized vendors, nutrition education, and help finding healthcare and other community services.
Georgia WIC serves women, infants, and children in Georgia whose income is at or below 185% of the federally poverty level; and who are at risk for nutritional deficiencies.
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How do I apply for WIC in GA?
WIC has local offices across the State of Georgia. Call 1-800-228-9173 to locate the WIC agency serving your area and set up your first appointment.
Georgia Medicaid #
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Georgia Medicaid is a health insurance program that helps eligible Georgians who can’t afford medical care pay for some or all of their medical bills.
It covers families with children, pregnant women, and people who are aging, blind and disabled.
As Georgia is not expanding Medicaid coverage, eligibility for non-disabled adults is limited to parents with incomes below 30% of poverty, or about $6,580 a year for a single mother of two.
Services include but are not limited to,
- Prescriptions
- Doctor visits
- Inpatient and outpatient hospital care
- Lab tests
- X-rays
- Home health care
- Hospice care
- Medical equipment and supplies
- Non emergency medical transportation services
- Dental care (up to age 21)
How do I apply for Georgia Medicaid?
To find out if you qualify for Medicaid or other medical assistance, call the DFCS information line at 1-877-423-4746 and speak with a representative at your local DFCS office.
You may also apply online at https://gateway.ga.gov. If you think you are pregnant, contact the Division of Public Health at 404-657-2700 to find out where to apply in your county.
Georgia PeachCare for Kids® #
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PeachCare for Kids® provides comprehensive health care to uninsured children through the age of 18 who do not qualify for Medicaid and live in households with incomes no more than 252% of the federal poverty level.
There is no cost to families for children under age 6. 1
For children ages 6 or older, a co-payment is required for some medical services. Starting at age 6, premiums are $11 to $36 per child and a maximum of $72 for two or more children living in the same household.
Due to the COVID-19 state of emergency, PeachCare for Kids® premiums will be waived effective with the March 1, 2020 until the last day of the month that the COVID-19 emergency is declared over.
If you have any questions about PeachCare for Kids®, please call
1-877-GA-PEACH (427-3224)
Georgia Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) #
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Subsidized child care in Georgia is provided through the Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program to help low income families afford quality child care. The CAPS program is administered in all 159 Georgia counties through the county Department of Family and Children Services.
Families that qualify for the CAPS program can choose their own child care provider. The CAPS program will reimburse child care providers up to a certain amount.
How do I apply for child care assistance in Georgia?
Georgians are now able to check their potential eligibility and apply for child care online with Georgia Gateway — the only authorized website to apply for public assistance benefits in Georgia.
If you need assistance in submitting an online application, call 1-833-4GACAPS (1-833-442-2277).
Georgia Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) #
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LIHEAP is a federally-funded program that assists low-income, elderly and disabled Georgians with heating bills. Depending on income and household size, those who qualify receive between $350 and $400 toward their home heating bills.
To qualify, a family’s annual income must be less than or equal to 60 percent of the median income for a Georgia family. For a family of three, the current income threshold is $24,240.
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How do I apply for LIHEAP in Georgia?
Applications for LIHEAP must be made through a local Community Action Agency. Due to limited funding, LIHEAP applicants are served on a first-come, first-serve basis by each agency, for the counties that they serve.
To find a Community Action Agency in your area, call
404-657-3427
Georgia Unemployment Insurance #
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Unemployment insurance benefits provide temporary financial assistance to unemployed Georgians through no fault of their own — up to a total of 26 weeks since the pandemic. 2
To be eligible for unemployment benefits, you must be able to work, available for work, and actively seeking work each week that you file a weekly claim for benefits.
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Where do I file for unemployment in GA?
Claims for weekly benefits may be filed online (a PIN is required) or at any Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) Career Center. Georgia law requires all applicants to sign an Application Affidavit Status.
Georgia HOPE Grant #
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Georgia’s HOPE Grant is available to all students from Georgia who are working towards a Certificate or Diploma at Georgia’s public postsecondary institutions.
The amount awarded to each student may vary depending on the institution and the no. of credit hours in which a student is enrolled — but is capped at 63 semester or 95 quarter hours.
To determine the HOPE Grant award amount you may receive, please review the attached chart here.
In order to be considered for HOPE Grant, you can either complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) OR complete the GSFAPPS electronic application.
Georgia HOPE GED Grant #
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Another grant within HOPE called Georgia HOPE GED Grant is available to students who earned a General Education Development (GED) diploma. Students receiving GED Grant may also qualify for HOPE Grant.
Recipients receive a one-time award of $500 toward that can be used towards tuition, books, or other educational costs at an eligible public technical college or public or private college or university.
- There are no premiums or co-payments charged for children that are under six years old, children in foster care, American Indians and Alaskan Natives.
- Georgia was providing 14 weeks of UI, but in the COVID-19 emergency that has risen to 26 weeks.