Last Updated on September 14, 2023 by Lori Pace
Georgia has a poverty rate of 16.9%. In the past year, 1,679030 residents of the 9,931,935 total reported having incomes below the poverty level. Georgia is ranked 42nd for Poverty Rate, with 16.9%. This is slightly higher than the national rate of 14.6%. Georgian women are 20% more likely than men to be poor. This makes single mothers in Georgia a weaker segment of society. Georgia has therefore created several programs that help single mothers and those in need.
Medicaid Program
Medicaid allows eligible individuals to receive free or low-cost health care. You can apply online for Medicaid in Georgia through Georgia Gateway. Medicaid offers support to pregnant women, children, and retirees over 65. It also provides assistance for people who are legally disabled or blind. Also, those who require nursing home care and have breast cancer or cervical carcinoma may qualify.
Georgia Medicaid requires your Social Security Number as well as proof of Georgia residence, citizenship, or qualified alien status. You will also need to provide your most recent pay slips. Medicaid pays for:
- Visits to the doctor
- Prescription drugs
- Doctors can order lab tests and X rays
- Hospital care
- Eye care
- Treatments
- Vaccinations
- Dental care
PeachCare for Kids
PeachCare for Kids provides comprehensive health care for children who are uninsured and live in Georgia. Health benefits include dental, vision, and specialist care, as well as primary, and preventive care, and specialists. PeachCare for Kids covers mental health, prescription drugs, hospitalization, and emergency room services. Each child is assigned a Georgia Families Care Management Organization, which coordinates the child’s health care.
PeachCare for Kids covers children aged 18 or younger (eligible up to the age of 19). PeachCare Kids is only available to children who are U.S. citizens or fit into an eligible legal migration category. To verify your child’s status, you may need to provide original documents. Parents do not need to confirm their own immigration or citizenship status.
Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS)
CAPS supports early education by helping low-income families pay for childcare costs while they are working, attending school, training, or other work-related activities. The CAPS program was developed because childcare is expensive, and it can be hard to find high-quality and safe childcare that’s affordable. This program has three main goals:
- Families with low income can access high-quality and affordable early childhood education.
- Support the Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) in its efforts to improve school readiness.
- Financial support is provided to help families achieve and maintain self-sufficiency.
Low Income Housing Assistance Program
Rents are greatly reduced for single parents, families, and low-income households. This program places you in housing owned by Local Housing Agencies. The living areas are usually apartments but can also be single-family houses or condos. Local housing agencies offer low-income families a safe, sanitary, and affordable place to live.
HOPE Atlanta Homeless Prevention Program
HOPE Atlanta provides a wide range of services such as shelter, other emergency services, and permanent supportive housing. It also offers case management, outreach on the street, homeless prevention and services for domestic violence, veterans, HIV/AIDS, HIV/AIDS treatment, reunification, and rapid rehousing. HOPE Atlanta helps a large number of people who are homeless or on the verge of becoming homeless.
Housing Choice Voucher Program
Georgia Housing Choice Voucher program offers to help low-income single parents or single mothers and families a greatly reduced rent payments. This program is similar to the Low-Income Housing Program. However, you can choose your own place of residence rather than living in a predetermined space as in the public housing program for low-income families.
Families applying for this program must meet these requirements:
- HUD defines family
- Income limits set by HUD
- You can qualify based on your citizenship or eligible immigrant status
- Give your social security number
- Sign the required consent forms
- You must pass the screening process
Georgia HOPE Grant
Georgia’s HOPE grant is available to Georgian students who are pursuing a Certificate or a Diploma in Georgia’s postsecondary public institutions. The amount of the grant awarded to each student can vary depending on which institution they attend and how many credit hours are taken. The number of credit hours a student can earn is limited to 63 quarter or 95 semester hours.
To be eligible for the HOPE grant, you must either fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid(FAFSA) OR the GSFAPPS online application.
Georgia HOPE GED Grant
Georgia HOPE GED grant is another grant offered by HOPE to students with a General Education Development diploma. Students who receive GED Grant can also be eligible for HOPE Grant. The recipient receives a $500 one-time award that can be applied to tuition, books, or other educational expenses at a public technical college, public or private university, or college.
Bottom Line: Help For Single Mothers In Georgia
There is a considerable variety to choose from when it comes to asking for assistance. The federal government and nonprofits work hard to support the community they are in, the best that they can. To learn more about other assistance offered to help single mothers in the state of Georgia, visit these articles:
