Georgia State Government Bill Assistance Programs

State Government Assistance Programs

Here is a list of state bill assistance programs. Municipal government or non-profit organizations may also offer bill assistance options.

The Housing Choice Voucher Program is part of Georgia’s comprehensive housing program administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA). This is a tenant-based assistance program that assists low income individuals and families rent safe, decent, and sanitary dwelling units in the private rental market. The program was created by the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 and is funded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The mission of the Department of Human Services (DHS) Afterschool Services Programs to strengthen Georgia families by expanding afterschool and summer services available to school age youth. Administered by the DHS Division of Family and Children Services’ Office of Family Independence, the Afterschool Services program is designed to support DHS’s broader goal of promoting self-sufficiency within families and ending intergenerational poverty.
Structured afterschool and summer programs can play a critical role in motivating youth to reach a high level of educational success, as well as provide youth with an opportunity to improve physical fitness activity and gain exposure to good nutrition habits.

PeachCare for Kids is a program that provides health coverage to low-income Georgia children under the age of 19 who are not eligible for Medicaid and who are not currently covered by health insurance. Children of state employees are not eligible for PeachCare for Kids.
A child whose family has a household income below 235% of the federal poverty level is eligible for Georgia PeachCare for Kids
There is no cost for children under age 5.
PeachCare for Kids covers medical, vision and dental care.

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.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), commonly known as welfare, is the monthly cash assistance program for poor families with children under age 18.
Cooperation with Office of Child Support Services is a requirement of receiving TANF benefits.

The Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) is available for eligible seniors (65 years and older) and the general public to assist households who have received a disconnection notice or the service has already been disconnected.
These households are considered to be facing an energy crisis due to the lack or the threat of loss of natural gas services in their homes.
Eligible households will receive assistance to prevent their service from being interrupted or to restore service to the home. The Public Service Commission funds are available to provide assistance to households who use natural gas supplied by one of the 8 natural gas marketers. These funds are used only for households facing an energy crisis.

This financial assistance will be primarily in the form of locally issued checks to home energy suppliers on behalf of eligible households.
The amount of assistance to both homeowners and non-subsidized renters who receive a bill for their fuel cost will depend on the projected total gross annual household income, household size and payment schedule or increased cost of home heating energy.
Subsidized housing tenants whose fuel cost is included in their rental payment are ineligible to receive assistance. These households are considered to be the least vulnerable for home energy assistance.
The Regular Energy Assistance element benefits will range from $158 to $200 and are projected to average approximately $179 for a one-time benefit payment to approximately 61,000 low-income households.

Tagged with