Atlanta Food Stamps Guide (2023)

If you are looking for help with food assistance in Atlanta, Georgia we can help. In this article, we will provide you with everything you need to know about Atlanta Food Stamps. 

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a government assistance program that helps low and limited-income households purchase food to meet their basic nutritional needs. 

If you live in Atlanta and are struggling to meet your basic food needs, there is help available to you. We will provide you with information on Atlanta GA food stamps eligibility requirements, how to apply for benefits, renew your benefits, GA Gateway login help, and Atlanta food stamps phone number.

This article will cover:

• Georgia SNAP Benefits Overview
• Atlanta Food Stamps Eligibility
• Georgia Food Stamps Income Limit
• GA SNAP Benefits Calculator
• Atlanta Food Stamps Application
• GA Gateway Login Help
• Atlanta DFCS Offices

For help with the Atlanta Food Stamps Program, please continue reading below.

Atlanta Food Stamps Guide for 2022-2023

Before we get into Georgia food stamps eligibility requirements, we’re going to cover who’s eligible to apply for SNAP benefits.

After that, we will review each of the eligibility guidelines in detail, including the Georgia food stamps income limit.

Once we’ve covered eligibility for GA food stamps, we will walk you through the steps to apply for benefits in Atlanta.

We will also walk you through how much you will receive in food stamp benefits if you are approved.

Additionally, we will review the Georgia Food Stamps renewal process in Atlanta and what you need to successfully complete your SNAP recertification.

Furthermore, we will explain how you can use your Georgia EBT card to buy food at grocery stores, restaurants and fast food places in Atlanta.

Lastly, we will provide the Atlanta DFCS contact information, including the phone number and mailing address. You can use this information to get additional help with any questions about the Georgia Food Stamps Program.

What is Georgia SNAP?

The Georgia Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) formerly known as food stamps is the state’s food assistance program. 

The Georgia Food Stamps Program provides low-income individuals and households with monthly cash benefits to purchase food.

Eligibility for Georgia SNAP benefits, as well as benefit amount, is based on your household’s size and income level.

A household can be one person, a group of people, a family, or any combination of people that buy and prepare food together.

Children living with their parents are considered part of the same household until age 22.

Furthermore, many legal non-citizens are eligible for Food Stamp benefits in GA.

Also, even if you can’t get SNAP benefits for yourself, other members of your household may be eligible.

Once approved monthly benefits are provided on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card that works just like a bank debit card. Your Georgia EBT Card can be used to buy food at most grocery stores, including some Farmers Markets.

Food Stamps in Atlanta (2023)

In Atlanta, the Food Stamps Program is managed by the Georgia Department Human Services Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS).

In addition to food stamp benefits, the Georgia DFCS also handles the following assistance programs:

• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
• Medicaid
• Medicaid for Pregnant Women
• Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP)
• Pandemic EBT (P-EBT)
• Emergency Food Assistance
• Foster Care Program
• Refugee Program

Furthermore, Georgia Gateway is the state website used to apply for and manage your assistance benefits online.

We will walk you through the steps to create your Gateway GA online account and complete the Georgia Gateway login.

Who is Eligible for Food Stamps in Atlanta?

The categories of people that are eligible for food assistance in Georgia include:

• Any Georgia household or individual (including homeless) with no or low income
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients
• College students who meet eligibility requirements
• Legal permanent residents and qualified immigrants
• Seniors (age 60 or older) and disabled household members

Georgia Food Stamps Eligibility Guidelines for 2022-2023

For help figuring out if your household qualifies for food assistance help, please carefully review the eligibility guidelines below.

Here’s what you’ll need to apply for GA Food Stamps:

Proof of Identity

Applicants must provide proof of their identity to show that they are the person they claim to be.

Identity may be verified through a variety of documents, including but not limited to,

• Government-issued ID or Driver’s License
• Work or School ID
• Voter Registration Card
• Birth Certificate

Social Security Numbers

Households applying for food stamp benefits in Georgia must provide the Social Security Number (SSN) for each household member, including children.

If you do not have a SSN but have applied for one, then proof of application is also eligible. 

Household members that are not eligible for Georgia food stamps do not have to provide a Social Security Number.

Residency

The applicant must live in the state of Georgia to qualify for Atlanta Food Stamps.

Individuals without a permanent residence or a fixed mailing address can get SNAP benefits as long as they can provide proof of residency.

Work Rules

There are special SNAP work requirements for those individuals receiving food stamp benefits in Georgia.

Food stamp recipients, who are between the ages of 16 and 59, must meet a work registration exemption or register for work.

If you are considered an able-bodied adults without dependent children (ABAWD), you will have additional work requirements to meet.

Able-bodied adults without dependents between the ages of 18 and 50, must meet certain requirements to receive benefits for more than three (3) consecutive months.

You must register for work or be working at least 20 hours per week or an average of 80 hours per month to receive GA Food Stamp benefits.

Citizenship Status

U.S. citizens and legal non-citizens are eligible for Food Stamps in Atlanta.

Furthermore, even if some members of the household are not eligible, those who are may be able to get Georgia SNAP benefits.

Eligibility for Aged and Disabled Households

There are special rules for households with seniors and people who are disabled.

If you are age 60 or over, or you are receiving Social Security Disability or Medicare due to a disability, or a full VA pension here’s what you need to know.

You may be eligible with income over the regular limits if you pay very high rent and utilities and/or have medical expenses over $35 per month.

However, this must be computed on a case-by-case basis.

Asset Limits

There is no asset limit in Georgia.

If your household has an elderly or disabled member and does not meet the Gross Income Limit, there is an asset limit of $4,250.

Income and Deductions

To be eligible for Atlanta Food Stamps, your monthly gross income (before payroll deductions) must be the same or below the amount listed in the chart for your household size.

Georgia SNAP uses your total household income to determine your eligibility for food stamp benefits.

Most households must have a total gross monthly income less than or equal to 200% of the federal poverty level, to be potentially eligible for GA SNAP.

Gross monthly income is a household’s total income before subtracting any allowable deductions.

These deductions are particular expenses that are subtracted from the household’s monthly gross income. This will give you your total household’s net income.

Atlanta Food Stamps Income Limits for 2023

Your household’s total income is the single most important factor when determining if you qualify for Atlanta food stamp benefits.

The Georgia Food Stamps Income Limit for 2023 is based on your household’s total income and size.

Most households must have a total gross monthly income less than or equal to 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL), to be potentially eligible for GA SNAP.

If your household has a person who is 60 or older or disabled, only the net income limit must be met.

Use the Georgia Food Stamps Income Limit Chart provided below to see if your household income qualifies for benefits.

Georgia Food Stamps Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2023
Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023
Household Size	Monthly Net Income Limit (100% of FPL)	Monthly Gross Income Limit (130% of FPL)	Monthly Gross Income Limit (200% of FPL)
1	$1,133	$1,473	$2,266
2	$1,526	$1,984	$3,052
3	$1,920	$2,495	$3,840
4	$2,313	$3,007	$4,626
5	$2,706	$3,518	$5,412
6	$3,100	$4,029	$6,200
7	$3,493	$4,541	$6,986
8	$3,886	$5,052	$7,772
9	$4,280	$5,564	$8,560
10	$4,674	$6,076	$9,348
Each Additional Household Member:	+$394	+$512	+$788

Georgia SNAP Income Deductions

When determining your household’s total net income, you are asked to determine any allowable deductions your household may qualify for.

These deductions are subtracted from your household’s monthly gross income to arrive at the net monthly income.

Your household’s net income is used to determine eligibility and the amount of Georgia food stamp benefits you will receive each month.

The Georgia food stamps allowable deductions include:

• 20% deduction from earned income.
• Standard deduction of $193 for households with 1 to 4 people and $258 for households with 6 or more people. See the standard deduction for 2022-2023 in the chart below.
• Dependent care deduction when needed for work, training, or education.
• A deduction for elderly or disabled members medical expenses that exceed $35 a month (if not paid by insurance or someone else).
• Deduct any legally owed child support payments.
• Homeless Household’s shelter costs deduction of $166.81.
• A deduction for excess shelter costs that exceed more than half of the household’s income (after the other deductions listed above). This deduction cannot exceed $624 unless one of your household members is elderly or disabled. Allowable excess shelter costs include:
  • Mortgage or rent payments
  • Property taxes
  • Household utilities including electricity, water, fuel for heat, and a basic phone line

Once you have subtracted all eligible deductions from your household gross income, this will give you your monthly net income.

Atlanta Food Stamps Standard Deduction 2023

The food stamps standard deduction varies based on your household size and location. Please use the chart provided below to find the standard deduction amount for your household size.

SNAP Standard Deductions for Fiscal Year 2023 in Georgia
Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023
Household Size	Standard Deduction
1-2	$193
3	$193
4	$193
5	$225
6+	$258

How much food stamps will I get in Atlanta?

If you are approved for food stamps in Atlanta, the amount of benefits you receive depends on the:

• Number of people in your household,
• Total amount of your household’s income, and
• U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Thrifty Food Plan.

The Thrifty Food Plan is a government estimate of how much it costs to provide a household with nutritious, low-cost meals.

The table below shows the maximum GA SNAP benefits for households with zero income.

As your income increases, your food stamp benefit amount goes down.

Household Size	Georgia SNAP Maximum Monthly Allotment
1	$281
2	$516
3	$740
4	$939
5	$1,116
6	$1,339
7	$1,480
8	$1,691
Each Additional Member:	+$211

Apply for Food Stamps in Atlanta

There are three ways you can apply for food stamps in Atlanta – online, in-person, or by phone or fax.

Option 1 – Online at Georgia Gateway

The easiest and quickest way to apply for Atlanta Food Stamps is online at the Gateway.GA.gov website.

Click here to apply for Georgia Food Stamps online. 

Option 2 – By Phone 

You can call your local Atlanta, Fulton County, or DeKalb County DFCS office to apply for food stamp benefits by phone or to have an application mailed to you.

Here is the number to call:

Atlanta DFCS Customer Service Phone Number: (404) 657-3459

You can complete the paper SNAP Application and return it to the Atlanta DFCS office for processing.

Atlanta Food Stamps Application

If you are completing your Georgia SNAP Application by phone or fax, download the Georgia SNAP EBT Application for Benefits.

Option 3 – In Person

Lastly, you can apply for Atlanta food stamps in-person at any of the Division of Family and Children Services offices.

To locate the Georgia DFCS Office in Atlanta near you, continue reading below.

After you submit an application, you will be contacted by an eligibility worker to complete the online application.

Atlanta DFCS Office Locations

Here’s the list of southern region Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) Office locations in Atlanta. 

All of the Atlanta DFCS office locations handle Georgia food stamp applications and benefits.

Atlanta Division of Family and Children Services Office

2 Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30303

Phone Number: (404) 657-3459

 

Fulton SW County DFCS Office

515 Fairburn Road SW
Atlanta, GA 30331

Phone Number: (404) 206-5778

 

Fulton South County DFCS Office

5710 Stonewall Tell Road
College Park, GA 30349

Phone Number: (404) 206-5778

 

Fulton NW County DFCS Office

1249 Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30318

Phone Number: (404) 206-5778

 

DeKalb County DFCS Office

2300 Parklake Drive NE
Atlanta, GA 30345

Phone Number: (404) 370-5000

Get the complete list of all the Georgia DFCS office locations here.

Georgia DFCS Community Partner Agency

In addition, you can visit a local community partner agency for more help with your food stamps, cash assistance, or Medicaid benefits.

Local community partner agencies help the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) provide access to public assistance services.

Georgia Gateway Login Instructions

If you live in Atlanta, then you can use the Georgia Gateway online portal to apply for and manage your food stamp benefits.

Follow the instructions below for help logging into Gateway GA online account.

Step 1 – Visit the Georgia Gateway Website

To start the login process for your Georgia Gateway online account, visit the website at: gateway.ga.gov.

Once you are on the homepage you will need to click the “Manage my Account/Login” button located on the right-side of the page.

For help, please refer to the screenshot below:

Step 2 – Enter your Account Information

Next, you will be taken to a page where you will be required to enter your GA Gateway User ID and Password information.

You will have to enter a valid User ID and Password in order to gain access to your benefits online.

Once you enter the correct account information, click “Sign In” button.

Step 3 – View your Account

If you entered the correct password, you will be automatically taken to your Georgia Gateway account homepage.

Once there, you can perform a variety of tasks as listed above, including:

• See if you are eligible for benefits
• Apply for Benefits
• View or Continue an Application
• Submit verification documents
• Learn about other benefit programs

Forgot Gateway.GA User ID and Password

If you do not remember your Georgia Gateway login credentials, follow the provided instructions below.

Forgot GA Gateway User ID

If you do not remember your User ID, we can help. The first thing you want to do is click the “Forgot User ID” link located on the login page.

After that, you can use your email address, phone number, or account security questions to obtain your Georgia Gateway User ID information.

Georgia DFCS Customer Service Phone Number

For help with your Atlanta Food Stamps including how to apply for benefits, questions about your food stamps, renewal, SNAP payments, and more, please call the Georgia DFCS Customer Call Center.

Georgia DFCS Customer Service Number: 1-877-423-4746

For deaf or hearing impaired, you can call the Georgia Relay 711 number for help.

Customer Service agents are available to answer your questions Monday through Friday from 7am to 6pm ET.

Atlanta Food Stamp FAQs

Check out our list of frequently asked questions related to the food stamps in Atlanta.

What time will my GA EBT Benefits be Deposited?

Georgia Food stamps benefits are available on your EBT Card by 6am EST on your scheduled deposit day. Your Georgia EBT Deposit Date varies based on the last two-digits of your Georgia Food Stamps ID number.

In order to determine when you receive your Georgia food stamps, you must have your ID number. If you cannot locate your ID, you can find it by logging into your Georgia Gateway online account or on your Georgia SNAP Approval Letter that you received in the mail.

Here is the Georgia SNAP EBT Deposit Schedule for 2023:

If your ID Number ends in:	Benefits are deposited on the:
00-09	5th of the month
10-19	7th of the month
20-29	9th of the month
30-39	11th of the month
40-49	13th of the month
50-59	15th of the month
60-69	17th of the month
70-79	19th of the month
80-89	21st of the month
90-99	23rd of the month

Once your benefits are deposited into your account, you can begin using them with your Georgia EBT card to purchase eligible food items.

If you need additional help, including how to find your GA SNAP ID Number, check out our Georgia EBT Payment Schedule for 2023.

What does Georgia EBT not cover?

Your Georgia EBT Card can not be used to purchase any hot or prepared food item, as well as any non-food items.

Here is a list of items that your EBT does not cover:

• Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco
• Soaps, paper products, cosmetics, grooming items
• Pet food (for example, dog food, cat food, etc.)
• Vitamins or medicines
• Food that will be eaten in the store
• Hot foods

Other Items you cannot buy with your EBT Card include:

• Charcoal
• Cod liver oil
• Cough drops
• Crabs (cooked and hot)
• Diapers
• Dietary Supplements (for example, GNC, and most protein powders)
• Dry ice
• Energy drinks with Supplement Information labels (for example, 5-Hour Energy)
• Fertilizer and insecticides
• Flax oil
• Fountain Drinks
• Gift baskets (if the food part of the gift basket is less than 50% of the total price)
• Ice cream cone/sundae
• Livestock (for example, live animals or birds)
• Cakes (that are more than 50% non-edible)
• Toilet paper

If I get more benefits than I’m due, will I have to repay the extra food stamp benefits?

Yes, if you happen to receive too much in Georgia food stamp benefits, you will be required to pay those benefits back.

This is considered an over-payment.

Even if you did not cause the error that led to the overpayment, you will be required to pay back the extra SNAP benefits.

If this happens, you will be notified in writing and provided with options for repayment.

Repayment options include a reduction in your regular allotment each month until the balance has been paid.

To help prevent possibly over-payments, please report your income and household information.

What Farmers Markets Accept Food Stamps in Atlanta?

Georgia food stamp benefits are accepted at many Farmers’ Markets throughout Atlanta.

When you use your Georgia EBT card at Farmers Market in Atlanta, you can get an extra $10 for free, fresh produce when you spend $10 with your SNAP EBT Card.

The program, Georgia Fresh for Less makes healthy, nutritious food choices affordable for low-income families and brings a new customers to local farmers.

To learn more about the program, watch the video below:

Here are three reasons why you should use your Georgia EBT Card and food stamp benefits at Farmers’ Markets:

1. Produce may cost less than at the grocery store
2. Farmers’ Market produce is grown locally and fresh
3. You help support the local Georgia economy and small farms

Farmers’ Markets that Accept EBT in Atlanta, GA

There are 21 farmer’s markets in Atlanta that double your SNAP EBT Dollars with Georgia Fresh for Less.

Find the Atlanta farmer’s market that accepts GA EBT near you below:

• Aluma Farm
• Candler Black Market
• Carver Market
• Castleberry Farmers Market
• East Atlanta Village Farmers Market
• Freedom Farmers Market
• MARTA Markets
• Good Samaritan Urban Farm
• Grant Park Farmers Market
• Morningside Farmers Market
• Oakhurst Farmers Market
• Oxford College Market & Farm
• Patchwork City Farms
• Peachtree Road Farmers Market
• Ponce City Farmers Market
• The Sun Market
• The Green Market At Piedmont Park
• Unearthing Farm and Market
• Virginia Highland Farmers Market
• West End Farmers Market ATL
• Westside Growers Market

To get a complete list of all the farmer’s markets that accept EBT in Georgia, check out our complete article on 100 Farmer’s Markets that accept EBT in Georgia.

For more help with your Atlanta Food Stamp benefits or Georgia SNAP EBT, check out our complete list of Georgia EBT Card FAQs here.

Immediate Food Help in Atlanta GA

If you are in need of urgent help with food in Atlanta, there is help available to you. There are several food pantries and food banks in Fulton and DeKalb County, Georgia that can provide you with food. Use our complete list of Food Bank in Atlanta, GA.

If you need help with food stamps in another Georgia county, check out our other Food Stamp Guides below:

• Guide to Georgia EBT
• Georgia P-EBT Benefits Guide

Atlanta Food Stamp Questions

We hope our Atlanta Food Stamps Guide was helpful to you! If you found this article helpful, please share it using the “Share this” button below.

If you have more questions about the Georgia food stamp program or your SNAP EBT benefits, please let us know in the comments section below. We’re here to help! 

In the meantime, be sure to check out our other articles on Georgia Food Stamps and GA EBT Card:

Georgia EBT Card Discounts & Freebies
How to get Free Internet in Georgia
Georgia stores that accept EBT on Instacart
Free Admission with GA EBT Card
Stores that accept EBT online in Georgia
How to sign-up for Georgia EBT Discount on Amazon

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