If you are struggling to meet your basic food and nutrition needs, there is help available to you. The Georgia Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food assistance help to eligible low-income households. If you want to know if you qualify for food stamp benefits in Georgia, this article will provide you with the Georgia Food Stamps Eligibility Requirements.
This GA Food Stamps Eligibility Guide will cover the requirements for fiscal year 2024.
In addition, this article will cover:
- Food Stamps Eligibility in Georgia for 2024
- Georgia Food Stamp Eligibility Requirements
- SNAP/Food Stamps Gross and Net Income Limit
- How to Calculate Gross and Net Income for Food Stamps
- How Much Food Stamps you will get in Georgia
- Georgia Food Stamps Vehicle Asset Test & Work Requirements
- How to Apply for Food Stamps in Georgia
- What Happens After you Apply for GA SNAP
Alert: Learn more about the Georgia Food Stamps Increase for 2024.
Georgia Food Stamps Program
The USDA Food Assistance Program provides monthly benefits to low-income households struggling to meet their nutritional needs.
If you are struggling to afford food, then applying for Georgia food stamp benefits could provide your household with some much-needed relief.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps provides monthly cash benefits to eligible households in Georgia.
In Georgia, SNAP is administered by the Georgia Department of Human Services Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) through the GA Gateway online portal.
If you meet the Georgia eligibility for food stamps, you will receive a special debit card, called an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Card.
The Georgia EBT Card is loaded with your cash and food benefits each month.
Monthly food stamp benefits can be used to purchase eligible food items at grocery stores, markets, gas stations, seafood markets, bakeries and more.
Households approved for the Georgia food stamps could receive over $1,500 in benefits each month.
The amount of food stamp benefits a household gets depends on three things:
- Household income from all sources (earned and unearned), such as money you get from a job, Social Security, SSI, or child support.
- How many people live in your household
- Where you live
If you want to apply for SNAP benefits in Georgia, you must make sure you meet the Georgia eligibility for food stamps.
There are strict eligibility guidelines that you must meet to receive Georgia food stamp benefits.
To find out if you qualify for the Georgia Food Stamps Program, continue reading below.
Georgia Food Stamps Eligibility Guide for 2024
To be eligible for the Food Assistance Program in Georgia, you have to meet the eligibility requirements established by the USDA.
The Georgia Food Stamps Eligibility Guidelines will help you determine if you will qualify for SNAP benefits.
Do I qualify for Georgia Food Stamps?
To qualify for the Georgia Food Stamps and EBT Card benefits, you must:
- Be a U.S. Citizen or Legal Non-Citizen (eligible individuals can also apply)
- Live in the state of Georgia
- Meet the SNAP Income Limit
In addition to the eligibility requirements listed above, your household must also meet the three income and resources tests.
Income is the most important requirement when it comes to qualifying for Georgia food stamp benefits.
SNAP/Food Stamps Income Tests
The three tests that determine your Georgia eligibility for food stamps include your household’s gross monthly income, net income, and assets.
We’ve provided more information about each of the three tests below:
Gross Monthly Income — is your household’s total income before any deductions. This includes money earned from work and other assistance such as unemployment, Social Security and child support.
Net Income — is your household’s total income after all allowable deductions.
Assets — is your household’s total resources that are considered available to purchase food, such as bank accounts and cash.
To learn more about each of the Georgia SNAP eligibility tests including how to calculate them for your household, continue reading below.
GA Eligibility for Food Stamps
To help determine if you qualify for Food Stamps in Georgia, we’ve explained each of the three SNAP eligibility tests below.
Test 1 – Gross Income Test
The first test you must meet is the gross monthly income test. This is a household’s income before any allowable deductions are applied.
The USDA requires that a household’s income must be at or below 130 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for 2024.
In fiscal year 2024, the poverty line amount for an individual is $1,215. Therefore, 130 percent of that level is $1,580.
Furthermore, an individual applying for Georgia food stamps must have a gross monthly income of $1,580 or below to qualify.
For a family of three, the poverty line is $2,072 a month. Therefore, 130 percent of that is $2,694 a month, or about $32,328 a year.
The poverty level is higher for bigger families and lower for smaller families.
How to Calculate Gross Income
Use the example provided below to help you calculate your household’s gross monthly income.
|
How to Calculate Gross Income for Food Stamps in Georgia |
|
| Gross Income Calculation: | Example: |
| Determine household size . . . | 4 people with no elderly or disabled members. |
| Add gross monthly income . . . | $1,500 earned income + $550 social security = $2,050 gross income. |
| If gross monthly income is less than the limit for household size, determine net income. | $2,050 is less than the $3,250 allowed for a 4-person household, so determine net income. |
Georgia SNAP Income Limit
The SNAP Income Limit Chart, also known as the Georgia Food Stamp Eligibility Chart will help determine your household’s eligibility for benefits.
First, calculate your household’s gross income, then use the chart below to determine if it meets the income limit for Georgia food stamp benefits.
What is the income limit for food stamps in Georgia for 2024?
The Georgia Food Stamp Income Limit Chart shows both the gross and net monthly income based on your household size.
The food stamp Georgia income limit for 2024 is based on your household size.
Use the chart provided below to determine if your income qualifies:
| Georgia SNAP Income Limits for Fiscal Year 2024 | ||
| Effective October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024 | ||
| Household Size | Monthly Net Income (100% of FPL) | Monthly Gross Income (130% of FPL) |
| 1 | $1,215 | $1,580 |
| 2 | $1,644 | $2,137 |
| 3 | $2,072 | $2,694 |
| 4 | $2,500 | $3,250 |
| 5 | $2,929 | $3,807 |
| 6 | $3,357 | $4,364 |
| 7 | $3,785 | $4,921 |
| 8 | $4,214 | $5,478 |
| Each Additional Household Member: | +$429 | +$557 |
Test 2 – Net Income Test
The Net Income, or household income after deductions are applied, must be at or below the poverty line for your household size.
To find out how to calculate your net income with the allowable deductions, continue reading below.
Georgia Food Stamp Allowable Deductions
Certain deductions are allowable to be taken from the gross income to arrive at the net income amount.
The following deductions are allowed for all households depending on the living situation and expenses:
- 20% deduction from earned income to account for work-related expenses and payroll taxes.
- Standard deduction of $198 for households with 1 to 3 people and $279 for households with 6 or more people. See the standard deduction for 2024 in the chart below.
- Dependent care deduction for out-of-pocket child care or when needed for work, training, or education.
- Child support deduction for any legally obligated child support that a member of the household pays.
- A deduction for elderly or disabled members medical expenses that exceed $35 a month (if not paid by insurance or someone else).
- Homeless Household’s shelter deduction of $179.66.
- 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 $672 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.
Georgia SNAP Standard Deduction
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.
| Georgia SNAP Standard Deductions for Fiscal Year 2024 | |
| Effective October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024 | |
| Household Size | Standard Deduction |
| 1-2 | $198 |
| 3 | $198 |
| 4 | $208 |
| 5 | $244 |
| 6+ | $279 |
How to Calculate Net Income
Use the example provided below to help you calculate your household’s net monthly income based on a 4-person household with a $2,050 gross income.
| Net Income Calculation | Example for a 4-person household |
|---|---|
| Subtract 20% earned income deduction… | $2,050 gross income $1,500 earned income x 20% = $300. $2,050 – $300 = $1,750 |
| Subtract standard deduction… | $1,750 – $208 standard deduction for a 4-person household = $1,542 |
| Subtract dependent care deduction… | $0 |
| Subtract child support deduction… | $0 |
| Subtract medical costs over $35 for elderly and disabled… | $1,557 – $300 excess medical costs = $1,242 |
| Excess shelter deduction… | See below |
| Determine half of adjusted income… | $1,247 adjusted income/2 = $621 |
| Determine if shelter costs are more than half of adjusted income… | $700 total shelter – $621 (half of income) = $79 excess shelter cost |
| Subtract excess amount, but not more than the limit, from adjusted income… | $1,257 – $79 = $1,163 net monthly income |
| Apply the net income test… | Since $1,163 is less than $2,500 allowed for 4-person household, this household has met the income test. |
What Counts As Income?
For your SNAP application, cash from all sources will count towards your income limit including:
- Earned income (before payroll taxes are deducted)
- Unearned income, such as cash assistance, Social Security, unemployment insurance, and child support are all counted towards your income for food stamps purposes.
Georgia SNAP Net Income Limit for 2024
Once you have calculated your household’s net income, use the chart below to determine if your household meets the Georgia food stamp income limits for 2024.
| Georgia SNAP Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2024 | |
| Effective October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024 | |
| Household Size |
Monthly Net Income (100% of Federal Poverty Level)
|
| 1 | $1,215 |
| 2 | $1,644 |
| 3 | $2,072 |
| 4 | $2,500 |
| 5 | $2,929 |
| 6 | $3,357 |
| 7 | $3,785 |
| 8 | $4,214 |
| Each Additional Household Member: | +$429 |
For more information on the Georgia Food Stamps income requirements, check out out complete article on the Georgia Food Stamp Income Limit for 2024.
Test 3 – Assets Test
The final test to determine if you’re eligible for food stamp benefits is the assets test. This test determines if your total household assets fall below the acceptable limit.
Households with a member who is elderly (age 60 or older) or disabled, must have assets or countable resources of $4,250 or less.
Households without an elderly or disabled member, must have assets of $2,750 or less.
What counts as an Asset?
For your application, resources that could be available to the household to purchase food are counted towards your asset limit.
This includes:
- Bank accounts
- Stocks
- Bonds
- Real estate other than your home
- Income you earn from assets (like interest earned on savings and dividends you receive).
What does not count as an asset?
Certain items do not count as an asset. These are typically resources that are not accessible, such as the household’s home, personal property, and retirement savings*.
*Please note that withdrawals from these accounts may count as either income or resources depending on how often they occur.
Additionally, most automobiles do not count as an asset. However, there are special rules around vehicles. To learn more about this, continue reading below.
Do vehicles count as an asset for Food Stamps?
Vehicles count as a resource for SNAP purposes. However, most vehicles do not count towards the food stamps resources limit.
Please note that this rule varies based on the state you live in. Georgia is responsible for determining how vehicles may count toward household resources.
Vehicles are NOT counted if they are:
- Used for Income – taxi, truck, delivery vehicle, Uber, etc.
- Annually producing income consistent with their fair market value
- Needed for long distance travel for work (other than daily commute)
- Used as the primary residence or home
- Needed to transport a physically disabled household member
- Needed to carry most of the household’s fuel or water
- If the sale of the vehicle would result in less than $1,500
In Georgia, the value of vehicles is excluded from the Food Stamps resource limit.
How much Food Stamps will I get in Georgia Food Stamps?
The amount of food stamps you will receive comes down to a few major factors – your household income, household size, expenses and resources.
Household expenses include your rent or mortgage, gas, electric, water, sewer, phone, and medical expenses.
In addition, any child support or child care payments are counted as expenses.
Household resources include cash, bank account savings, and stocks.
Additionally, your monthly household income includes money earned from work, as well as payments from Social Security, Unemployment, and SSI.
All of these factors play a role in how much you will get in Georgia food benefits each month.
In January 2024, the average monthly SNAP EBT payment for a 3-person household was $586.
Use the table below to find out the maximum amount of Georgia food stamp benefits you could receive each month.
| Maximum SNAP Benefit Amount by Household Size for Georgia | |
| Effective October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024 | |
| Household Size | Maximum SNAP Benefit Allotment |
| 1 | $291 |
| 2 | $535 |
| 3 | $766 |
| 4 | $973 |
| 5 | $1,155 |
| 6 | $1,386 |
| 7 | $1,532 |
| 8 | $1,751 |
| Each Additional Household Member: | +$219 |
To find out exactly how much you can expect to receive in Georgia food stamp benefits each month, check out our Georgia Food Stamps Calculator.
How to Apply for Food Stamps in Georgia
There are four ways you can apply for food stamps in Georgia – online, in-person, and by phone or mail.
For help completing your Georgia SNAP Application for food stamp benefits, follow the instructions provided below.
GA Food Stamps Application Guide for 2024
Here are the four ways you can apply for Georgia food stamp benefits:
Option 1 – Online via Georgia Gateway
The first option is to apply online using the Georgia online portal, GA Gateway. You can access the Georgia website by visiting gateway.ga.gov.
If this is your first time using the Georgia Gateway online portal, you will first have to create a GA Gateway online account.
Creating a Georgia Gateway account is quick, easy, and should only take a few minutes.
Once you have created your account, you can apply for food stamp benefits online by submitting your GA Food Stamps Application.
If you are having issues using the Gateway.GA.gov online platform, please contact their Help Desk by calling 1-877-423-4746.
Customer service agents are available Monday through Friday from 8am – 5pm.
Option 2 – In Person at Georgia DFCS Office
The next way to apply for food stamps in Georgia is in-person at your local county Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) office.
Click here for a full list of Georgia DFCS Office locations.
Option 3 – By Phone
If you do not have access to a computer or transportation, you can also submit your GA SNAP Application by phone.
To apply for Georgia food stamps by phone, please call 1-877-423-4746.
If you are deaf or hearing impaired, please call GA Relay Services by dialing 7-1-1 on your phone.
You will be walked through the steps on how to apply for Georgia SNAP benefits by phone.
Option 4 – By Mail
The last option for completing your Georgia SNAP Application is by mail. In order to complete your application by mail, you must download the Georgia SNAP Application online.
To apply for Georgia food stamps by mail, click here to download the Georgia SNAP EBT Application for Benefits
Once completed, you can upload your Georgia SNAP Application online or mail the completed application to the Division Children and Family Services.
To submit your Georgia Food Stamps Application by mail, send it to your local GA DFCS office.
Be sure to include copies of any requested verification documentation with your Georgia Food Stamps Application.
What you Need to Apply for Georgia Food Stamps
Before apply for food stamp benefits in Georgia, it’s important that you gather all the necessary documents needed to complete your application.
Here is a list of information you will need to complete your Georgia SNAP Application:
- Social Security Number (SSN) or proof that you’ve applied for one
- Identity and Date of Birth (DOB) such as a Driver’s License or State ID
- Income information such as pay stubs, tax records, or child support notices
- Resource or asset information such bank accounts (checking, savings accounts), vehicles, homes, land or life insurance
- Housing expenses such as rent and utilities
- Any child care or dependent care costs
- Child support you pay for children not living with you
- Medical expenses (including prescriptions) for those with disabilities or 60+ years old
- Health Insurance information
Once you have gathered this information, you can now begin your Georgia Food Stamps Application.
Please note, the DFCS may verify the information you provide by contacting other people or agencies.
In addition, your local DFCS may ask you to provide other documents.
If you need help getting any documents, be sure to tell your SNAP food stamps caseworker.
What Happens After you Apply for Georgia Food Stamp Benefits
After you apply for food stamps in Georgia, you must complete an interview with your assigned caseworker at your local county Georgia DFCS office.
Your interview may be over the phone or face-to-face. You will receive a letter in the mail with more information regarding your food stamps interview.
If you are elderly or physically unable to travel for a face-to-face interview, you can apply for a waiver, which is granted on a case by case basis based on hardship.
If your waiver request is granted, the face-to-face interview will be replaced with a phone interview.
During the interview, you will be required to provide verification of your income and expenses.
How long will it take to receive Georgia Food Stamp benefits?
If your Georgia SNAP Application is approved, you will start receiving benefits within 30 days from the date you submitted your application.
In addition, once you are approved for Georgia food stamp benefits, you will receive a Georgia EBT Card in the mail.
An EBT Card, also known as an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Card is similar to a bank debit card.
You will use the Georgia EBT Card to access your monthly food stamp benefits. Benefits can be used at local grocery stores and select online retailers.
Your monthly benefit will be loaded onto your Georgia EBT Card on an assigned date between the 3rd and the 21st of each month.
Your Georgia EBT Deposit Date is based on the last digit of your GA Gateway ID Number.
Georgia Emergency Food Help
If you are facing a life-threatening situation and need immediate help with food, there is assistance available to you.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) provides low income and elderly Georgia residents with immediate access to nutritious meals at no cost.
Families with resources worth $100 or less, and monthly income less than $150 will qualify for Emergency Food Assistance in Georgia.
In Georgia, food is distributed by local Community Action Agencies.
To apply for Emergency SNAP benefits in Georgia, read our complete guide on Emergency Food Stamps in Georgia.
In addition, there is immediate help available at participating Georgia food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens and other feeding sites.
To learn more and find out how to get help, find a Georgia food bank near you.
Georgia Food Stamps Customer Service Information
For additional help completing your Georgia Food Stamps Application, contact your local county assistance office (DFCS).
In addition, you can contact the Georgia SNAP by calling their customer service phone number at 1-877-423-4746.
Georgia Food Stamps Customer Service representatives are available to help you Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6 p.m.
If you are hearing impaired or deaf, please contact GA Relay Services by calling 711.
Georgia Food Stamps Eligibility Questions
We hope this article on the Georgia Food Stamps Eligibility Guidelines for 2024 was helpful to you!
If you need additional help determining your eligibility for food stamps in Georgia, please let us know in the comments section below.
If you found this article helpful, we encourage you to please share it with someone using the “Share this” button below.
In the meantime, be sure to check out our other articles on Georgia Food Stamps and EBT:
Georgia Food Stamps Income Limit (2024)
GA Food Stamps Calculator for 2024
2024 Georgia Food Stamps Increase
Georgia EBT Card Discounts
Amazon Prime Discount for GA EBT