Georgia Government Assistance for Single Mothers: What's Available?

Navigating the challenges of being a single mother in Georgia can feel overwhelming, especially when financial stability is a concern. Securing support for your family is your top priority, and a network of government assistance for single mothers in Georgia exists to help you with fundamental needs.

These programs cover areas like food, housing, healthcare, and child care. They are designed to provide a safety net, offering a pathway to stability and self-sufficiency. This report serves as a clear, detailed roadmap, guiding you step-by-step through the benefits available and showing you exactly how to access them.

The Central Hub: Understanding Georgia Gateway

For many of the state's most critical assistance programs, your journey will begin at a single, centralized online portal: Georgia Gateway. This is the official state government website where you can apply for and manage benefits for several key programs.

These programs include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, and the Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program.

You can access the portal directly at gateway.ga.gov. A dedicated Online Services hotline is available at 1-877-423-4746 for any questions. The state also offers the Georgia Gateway mobile app, allowing you to manage your case and upload documents from your phone.

Navigating the System

While Georgia Gateway is the primary application point for many services, it is not the only one. Some programs, like utility bill assistance or WIC, are managed by local agencies and have a different application process.

This report is structured by your family's needs—food, housing, healthcare, and more. For each program, it will be clearly stated how and where to apply. This ensures you have the precise information needed to take the right action without confusion.

Core Financial and Nutritional Support

When facing financial hardship, your most immediate needs are often cash for essential expenses and ensuring your family has enough to eat. Georgia offers several foundational programs to provide this core support. It is crucial to apply for all programs for which your family is eligible, as benefits from a single program may not cover all expenses.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): Direct Cash Support

What is TANF?

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), also known as "welfare," is a state-run program providing temporary monthly cash assistance to low-income families with children.

These funds help cover essential living expenses like rent, utilities, and clothing. The program acts as a temporary bridge, helping families regain stability during periods of unemployment or underemployment.

TANF Benefit Amounts

The TANF benefit amounts in Georgia are modest. For a single mother with two children (a family of three), the maximum monthly cash benefit is $280. For a single mother with one child (a family of two), the maximum benefit is $235.

These benefit levels have not changed in over 30 years, causing their actual purchasing power to decrease significantly. TANF should be viewed as one component of a broader support strategy, not a family's sole source of income.

Key Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for TANF in Georgia, your family must meet several strict criteria related to income, assets, and family composition. Here are the key requirements:

• Income Limits: Your household's gross monthly income must be below a set limit. For a family of three, the income must be below $784 per month. For a family of two, the limit is $659 per month.
• Asset Limits: Your family's countable assets, including cash and money in bank accounts, must be less than $1,000.
• Residency and Citizenship: You must be a Georgia resident and either a U.S. citizen or a lawfully admitted resident alien.
• Child's Status: You must be pregnant or have a child under 18 (or 19 if they are a full-time high school student). The child must also be considered "deprived" due to the absence of one parent.
• Lifetime Limit: TANF cash assistance is limited to 48 months (four years) in a lifetime. Extensions are possible only in specific hardship situations, such as domestic violence.
• Child Support Cooperation: You must cooperate with the Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) to establish paternity and secure child support, unless you have a "good cause" reason not to.

The TANF Work Requirement

A critical part of TANF is its work requirement. Adult recipients must participate in approved work activities for at least 30 hours per week. These activities can include employment, job training, or job searching.

This requirement often creates a challenge for single mothers without affordable child care. The state recognizes this link. Meeting the TANF work requirement is often tied to securing a child care subsidy through the CAPS program (see Section 4.1). It is wise to apply for both programs at the same time.

How to Apply for TANF

The most efficient way to apply for TANF is through the Georgia Gateway online portal at gateway.ga.gov. You can create an account and submit your application electronically.

If you need internet access, computers are available at local Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) offices.

Alternatively, you can download and print a paper application (Form 297) to mail or drop off at your local DFCS office. An interview with a DFCS staff member will follow to determine your final eligibility.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Help with Groceries

What is SNAP?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or food stamps, provides monthly benefits to help low-income families afford groceries. Benefits are issued on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which works like a debit card at most grocery stores and farmers' markets.

Income and Resource Limits

SNAP eligibility is based on your household's income and resources. Most households must meet both gross and net monthly income limits. Gross income is your total income before deductions, while net income is your income after certain deductions like those for dependent care or shelter.

Benefit Amounts

Your SNAP benefit amount depends on your household size and net income. The table below shows the maximum monthly benefit for fiscal year 2025. Your actual benefit will be calculated by subtracting 30% of your net income from the maximum.

SNAP Work Requirements

SNAP has work requirements for most able-bodied adults, but there are important exemptions for single mothers. The rules generally require registering for work and not voluntarily quitting a job.

However, you are exempt from these requirements if you are responsible for the care of a child under the age of six. Additionally, the stricter time limits for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) do not apply if you have a child in your household.

How to Apply for SNAP

The application process for SNAP is streamlined through the Georgia Gateway portal at gateway.ga.gov. After submitting your online application, you will complete an eligibility interview, usually over the phone.

You will need to provide verification of your income and identity. A decision is typically made within 30 days. If your need is urgent, you may qualify for expedited benefits within seven days.

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Nutrition for Mom and Kids

What is WIC?

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides nutritional support, health screenings, and education. It serves low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, as well as infants and children up to age five.

WIC provides an e WIC card to purchase specific healthy foods like milk, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and infant formula. The program's goal is to protect the health of mothers and young children during critical stages of development.

The Four Pillars of WIC Eligibility

To be eligible for WIC in Georgia, you must meet four requirements.

1. Categorical: You must be a pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding woman, or a child under five. Fathers or other guardians of a child under five can also apply.
2. Residential: You must live in Georgia.
3. Income: Your household's gross income must be at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). If you already receive SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF, you are automatically income-eligible.
4. Nutrition Risk: A health professional at a WIC clinic must determine that you or your child has a "nutrition risk." This can include medical conditions like anemia or dietary issues like a poor diet. The screening is free.

WIC Income Guidelines

WIC's higher income limit (185% FPL) makes it accessible to more families. The table below shows the monthly income limits for WIC eligibility for fiscal year 2025.

How to Apply for WIC

You do not apply for WIC through Georgia Gateway. Instead, you must contact your local WIC clinic to schedule an appointment.

You can find your nearest clinic by calling the statewide toll-free number: 1-800-789-5502. For your appointment, you will need to bring proof of identity, residency, and income.

Securing Your Home: Housing, Rent, and Utility Aid

Housing is the largest expense for most families. Georgia offers several programs to make housing more affordable, from long-term subsidies to emergency aid.

Long-Term Rental Support: Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)

What is It?

The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program, or Section 8, helps very low-income families afford safe housing in the private market. With a voucher, you can find your own housing, such as an apartment or house, as long as the landlord agrees to participate.

The public housing agency (PHA) pays a subsidy directly to the landlord. You then pay the difference, which is typically about 30% of your monthly adjusted income.

Eligibility

To be eligible for an HCV, your household must meet several criteria.

• Income: Your annual income must be below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI), which varies by county. PHAs must give 75% of vouchers to families with incomes below 30% of the AMI.
• Family Status: You must meet HUD's definition of a family, which can include a single person.
• Citizenship and Residency: You must be a U.S. citizen or eligible immigrant and a Georgia resident.
• Age: You must be 18 or older.

The Waiting List Reality and Application Strategy

Securing a voucher is a long-term process. Waiting lists are often years long and are frequently closed to new applicants. This program is not a solution for an immediate housing crisis.

The best strategy is to apply whenever a waiting list opens, even if you don't need it at that moment. Regularly check the websites of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and local PHAs for announcements.

How to Apply

Applications are managed by the DCA, which covers 149 counties, and local PHAs in larger metro areas.

Applications are accepted only when a waiting list is open and must be submitted online, typically through the DCA Applicant Portal. To learn about openings, check the DCA website or call (888) 858-6085.

Emergency Housing and Shelter

When You Need Help Immediately

If you are homeless or at risk of losing your home, immediate help is available. Georgia's Continuum of Care (CoC) network provides emergency shelter and services.

You must go through a local CoC provider to access these resources. To find the provider for your area, call the statewide Balance of State Toll-Free Hotline at (844) 249-8367. If you are in a situation involving domestic violence, call the confidential Georgia Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-334-2836.

Key Shelters for Women and Children in Metro Atlanta

Several organizations in the Atlanta area specialize in providing shelter for single mothers.

• Atlanta Mission - My Sister's House: This overnight shelter for women and children provides meals, counseling, medical care, and childcare. Contact them at (404) 367-2465.
• Our House: This organization focuses on families with children under five, providing shelter, free early childhood education, and employment training.
• Well root Family Services: Well root offers temporary housing and support services to families at imminent risk of homelessness, helping them achieve permanent housing.

Help with Energy Bills: LIHEAP and Utility Discounts

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income households with their energy bills. It can provide a one-time payment to your utility company for heating or cooling costs and offers crisis assistance to prevent disconnection.

LIHEAP has seasonal application periods.

• Heating Assistance: Applications typically open in December for priority groups and in January for all other eligible households.
• Cooling Assistance: Applications typically open in April for priority groups and in May for all other eligible households.

Eligibility is based on your household's gross annual income, which must be at or below 60% of the Georgia State Median Income (SMI).

To apply, you must contact your local Community Action Agency (CAA), not Georgia Gateway. You can find your local CAA by calling (877) 423-4746.

Direct Utility Provider Assistance

Many utility companies offer their own assistance programs.

• Georgia Power Income-Qualified Discount: Georgia Power provides a monthly discount of $33.50 to qualifying low-income customers who are over 65, receive disability benefits, or participate in Section 8.
• Project SHARE: Administered by The Salvation Army, this program provides emergency funds for utility bills, rent, food, and medical care.

Health Coverage for You and Your Children

Ensuring you and your children have access to medical care is critical. Georgia offers several public health insurance programs with different eligibility rules.

Medicaid for Pregnant Women and Parents

Coverage for Pregnant Women

If you are pregnant, you may be eligible for Medicaid if your household income is at or below 220% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). This higher income limit allows many working pregnant women to qualify. Your coverage will continue for a full 12 months after your pregnancy ends, regardless of income changes. Georgia also offers Presumptive Eligibility (PE), which can grant you immediate, temporary Medicaid coverage while your full application is processed, ensuring you get prenatal care without delay.

Coverage for Parents

Once you are outside the 12-month postpartum period, the income limit for a parent to qualify for Medicaid drops to below 38% of the FPL. For a single parent with two children, this is less than $7,600 per year. This extremely low threshold creates a "coverage gap" for many working parents.

Georgia Pathways to Coverage™

Georgia Pathways to Coverage™ is a limited form of Medicaid for adults who fall into the coverage gap.

Key Requirements

To qualify for Georgia Pathways, you must meet several conditions.

• Age: Be between 19 and 64.
• Income: Have a household income of up to 100% of the FPL (about $26,650 per year for a family of three).
• Qualifying Activities: Complete and report at least 80 hours per month of activities like work, job training, or education.
• Other Eligibility: You cannot be eligible for any other category of Medicaid.

Peach Care for Kids®: Health Insurance for Your Children

Peach Care for Kids® is Georgia's State Children's Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP), providing low-cost health insurance for uninsured children.

Who is Eligible?

Your child may be eligible for Peach Care for Kids® if they are:

• Under the age of 19.
• A resident of Georgia and a U.S. citizen or eligible immigrant.
• Uninsured and not eligible for Medicaid.
• Living in a household with an income of up to 247% of the FPL.

Costs

Peach Care for Kids® is low-cost but not free. Monthly premiums are based on a sliding scale, ranging from $11 to a maximum of $72 per family. There may be small co-payments for some services, but children under six are exempt.

How to Apply for Health Coverage

The application for all of these health programs—Medicaid, Georgia Pathways, and Peach Care for Kids®—is centralized through the Georgia Gateway portal at gateway.ga.gov. The single online application will screen you for all programs for which you and your children may be eligible.

Support for Working and Student Mothers

Several programs are designed to support single mothers in achieving long-term stability through work and education, recognizing that affordable child care is the critical link.

Affordable Child Care: The CAPS Program

What is It?

The Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program is Georgia's child care subsidy program. It provides financial assistance, or a voucher, to help low-income families afford quality child care.

Eligibility

To qualify for a CAPS scholarship, you must meet income and activity requirements.

• Income: Initial eligibility is generally at or below 50% of the State Median Income (SMI).
• Activity: The parent must participate in an approved activity, like work or school, for an average of at least 24 hours per week.
• Priority Groups: Due to limited funding, priority is given to families with the greatest need, such as very low-income families or student parents.

How it Works

If approved, CAPS pays a subsidy directly to your chosen child care provider. You are responsible for paying the remaining portion, known as the "family fee." This fee is capped at 7% of your family's annual income, making it a predictable expense.

How to Apply

You can check your potential eligibility and apply for the CAPS program online through the Georgia Gateway portal at gateway.ga.gov. For assistance, call the CAPS support line at 1-833-442-2277.

Education and Job Training Resources

Pursuing higher education or job training is a powerful way to increase your earning potential. Several resources in Georgia are designed to help single mothers go back to school.

Nana Grants

Nana Grants is a non-profit that pays for child care so that low-income single mothers can attend college. This program embraces a two-generation approach, understanding that a mother's success impacts her children's future.

A Nana Grant can cover 100% of your child care costs until you graduate from an accredited college or job training program in Georgia. To be eligible, you must be a low-income single parent enrolled in a Georgia college, maintain a 2.0 GPA, and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Applicants must first apply for the state's CAPS program.

Workforce Development Programs

Local Work Source Georgia offices offer a range of services through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). These programs provide tuition assistance for training in high-demand fields like nursing and welding.

They may also offer financial help for books, tools, travel, and child care, with a specific focus on helping single parents. You can find your local Work Source office through the Georgia Department of Labor website.

Protecting Your Rights: Free Legal Aid

When navigating public benefits, housing disputes, or family law, you may need legal advice. Free legal assistance is available from non-profit organizations if you cannot afford a private attorney.

When You Need a Lawyer but Can't Afford One

Civil legal aid organizations provide free legal help to low-income families for non-criminal legal problems. Their attorneys and paralegals are experts in the laws that affect people with limited income, ensuring your rights are protected regardless of your ability to pay.

Key Organizations

Georgia is primarily served by two major legal aid organizations.

• Georgia Legal Services Program (GLSP): GLSP provides free legal services in the 154 Georgia counties outside of the metro Atlanta area. To apply for help, call their intake line at 1-833-GLSPLAW (1-833-457-7529) or apply online.
• Atlanta Legal Aid Society: This organization serves low-income residents of Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Cobb, and Clayton counties. To apply, call the office that serves your county. The main number is (404) 524-5811.

Types of Cases They Handle

These organizations handle a wide variety of civil legal issues relevant to single mothers.

• Housing Law: They can represent you in eviction cases, help you get necessary repairs from a landlord, or assist with issues related to subsidized housing.
• Public Benefits: If your application for SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid is unfairly denied or your benefits are cut, a lawyer can help you appeal the decision.
• Family Law: They can provide assistance with certain family law matters, especially those involving domestic violence or child support orders.

Legal aid is a powerful tool you can use to secure and protect all the other benefits in this report. If you are unfairly denied benefits or face an illegal eviction, these attorneys can act as your advocate.

Conclusion: Your Path Forward

The journey to financial stability as a single mother in Georgia is challenging, but you are not alone. A network of federal and state programs exists to provide the support you and your children need to thrive.

The key is to combine multiple programs into a comprehensive safety net. No single benefit is designed to solve every problem, but together, they can provide the foundation for a secure future.

For many essential benefits—including TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, and CAPS—your first step is the Georgia Gateway portal at gateway.ga.gov. For other aid, such as LIHEAP or emergency shelter, your local Community Action Agency or CoC provider is the correct starting point. This report has provided you with a map of the resources available. Taking that first step is a move toward empowerment, security, and a brighter future for your family.

Frequently Asked Questions