Form 47 (Rev. 09/20) PAGE 1
Division of Family and Children
Services
IN
GEORGIA
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program-SNAP (Food Stamps)
Form 47 (Rev. 09/20) PAGE 2
THE FOOD STAMP (SNAP) PROGRAM IN GEORGIA
If you need help reading or completing this document or need help
communicating with us, ask us or call 1-877-423-4746. Our services, including
interpreters, are free. If you are deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or have difficulty
speaking, you can call us at the number above by dialing 711 (Georgia Relay).
WHAT IS THE FOOD STAMP (SNAP) PROGRAM?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as the Food
Stamp Program, is a federally funded program that provides monthly benefits to low-
income households to help pay for the cost of food. SNAP provides employment and
training opportunities to recipients who want to participate in the SNAP Employment and
Training (E&T) program. The program also provides nutrition education to low-income
households to promote healthy eating and healthy lifestyles. SNAP outreach activities
are provided through community partner agencies and the local community food banks.
WHAT IS A HOUSEHOLD?
A household may be one person living alone, a family, or several, unrelated individuals who
live together and routinely purchase and prepare meals together. Certain family members
or individuals who live together and do not routinely purchase and prepare meals together
do not have to be included in the household. For those individuals, social security numbers,
immigration status and citizenship do not have to be provided to the caseworker. The
decision of whether or not an individual must be included in the household is based on
federal regulations.
WHO CAN APPLY FOR FOOD STAMP (SNAP) BENEFITS?
Anyone may apply for SNAP benefits. The program helps households that have limited
income and resources. This includes households experiencing temporary crisis as well as
households whose income is at or below the poverty level.
WHAT IS AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE?
An authorized representative is a person your household allows to apply for, to obtain
and/or to use SNAP benefits on behalf of your household because you are unable to do so.
WHERE DO YOU APPLY?
Each county has a Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) office.
This department takes applications for food stamp (SNAP) benefits.
Form 47 (Rev. 09/20) PAGE 3
Look under the county government section online or go to the website of the Georgia
Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) at www.dfcs.dhr.georgia.gov/locations
to find the address and telephone number of your local county office.
WHEN CAN YOU APPLY?
All Department of Family and Children Services offices are open Monday through Friday,
except weekends and holidays. Office hours are usually from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Call your local county department for the office hours in your area. Online applications are
available via the Georgia Gateway website at: www.gateway.ga.gov.
HOW DO YOU APPLY FOR BENEFITS?
To apply for benefits, the head of household, a household member, or authorized person
representing the household may complete an application for assistance. An application can
be received from your local County Department of Family and Children Services or from the
DFCS website. You can go to the Gateway website or the local DFCS office to apply, call
the office to request that an application be mailed to your home address, or have someone
get a form for you. You may copy the blank application found on the website at:
www.dfcs.dhr.georgia.gov/foodstamps. Complete the form, mail or fax or take it to your
local county office.
HOW DO YOU APPLY FOR BENEFITS ONLINE?
You may also apply for Food Stamps (SNAP) online via the Gateway website at
https://gateway.ga.gov/access/. Gateway allows individuals to apply for Food Stamps
online. Applicants who create an account online may check the status of their application
and may also check their eligibility for other DHS programs via the Gateway Pre-screening
Tool. Additionally, Gateway allows food stamp recipients to report changes in household
circumstances and to renew their benefits online.
WHEN IS AN APPLICATION CONSIDERED FILED?
An application is considered filed when the application has the name of the head of
household, address, date, and signature of the head of household or another household
member and is received by the local county office. The application may be filed in person at
the local Department of Family and Children Services, by mail or fax or online. An
application should be filed at your local county Department of Family and Children Services,
but any Department of Family and Children Services can accept your application. You
should try to complete the entire application. It is very important that you give your
telephone number and/or address so that DFCS is able to reach you by phone.
Form 47 (Rev. 09/20) PAGE 4
WHAT HAPPENS ONCE THE APPLICATION IS FILED?
You or a household member (or someone authorized to make application for your
household) must be interviewed by a caseworker from DFCS. The individual who is
interviewed must know about your household situation. A phone interview is required.
For elderly/disabled individuals or individuals experiencing problems coming to the office,
the interview may be completed by telephone, a pre-arranged home visit, or an office visit.
Contact your local county office to find out about interviews.
WHAT HAPPENS IN THE INTERVIEW?
The caseworker will ask you questions about your household’s income, resources, rent or
mortgage, and utility expenses. Certain households may also be asked about medical
expenses, childcare and child support expenses. Proof of your household situation is
necessary, so if you have the following information, you may bring it with you:
❖ proof of your identity
❖ proof of your citizenship such as birth certificate, U.S. passport, hospital record, etc.
❖ immigration papers for persons applying for benefits, who are not U.S. citizens
❖ social security numbers for persons applying for benefits
❖ proof of income for each household member (check stubs, award letters for social
security or veteran’s administration, unemployment benefits, contributions from
family or friends, child support, etc.)
❖ last month's rent receipt or mortgage payment book
❖ medical bills for persons age 60 and older and/or disabled
❖ childcare receipts for children whose parents are working, in school, or in training
❖ additional information and proof may be required depending upon your situation.
If you do not have all the information when you first apply, you are given 10 days from the
date of the interview to provide the required proof.
The interview is an official and confidential discussion of the household’s circumstances.
The interviewer must not simply gather and review information but must explore and resolve
unclear or incomplete information.
If an individual in your household does not want to give us a social security number or
information about immigration status or citizenship, the individual will not be eligible for food
stamp benefits. Other household members may still be eligible for benefits.
An individual is not reported to the Department of Homeland Security, United States
Citizenship and Immigration Services, for choosing not to give a social security number or
immigration status.
Form 47 (Rev. 09/20) PAGE 5
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE?
YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR FOOD STAMP (SNAP) BENEFITS IF:
• you are a citizen of the United States or have a certain legal alien status
• you provide all of the required documents as proof of the household's
situation
• you and/or other household members comply with work requirements
• the household's monthly income does not exceed the income limits based on
the number of people who live in the household
• the rent or mortgage payment, utility bills, and in some cases medical,
childcare and child support expenses are considered in the eligibility
determination process if proof of these expenses are provided.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET FOOD STAMP (SNAP) BENEFITS?
The application must be processed and benefits available within 30 days from the date the
application is filed. If your household has little or no income and meets specific criteria, the
application must be processed and benefits available within 7 days. A notice is sent to
each household stating whether the household is eligible for SNAP benefits. If eligible, the
notice states the amount of benefits the household will receive and how long the household
will receive benefits before having to reapply.
HOW MUCH WILL YOU RECEIVE?
The amount of benefits your household receives depends upon the number of individuals in
your food stamp household, the amount of household income and the amount of
deductions used in the budgeting process. The date of application affects the amount of
benefits received by the household in the first month. As long as your household remains
eligible, benefits are provided each month. Benefits remaining in your EBT account can be
obtained until they are used up even if your food stamp case closes.
HOW LONG DO YOU GET FOOD STAMP (SNAP) BENEFITS?
If eligible, your household can receive SNAP for one month to one year before reapplying.
In the last month of the certification period, your household should receive an appointment
letter from DFCS. The letter tells you that your certification period is about to end and that
your household must reapply.
If your response to this letter is timely, your benefits will continue if your household is still
eligible. If you do not respond to the letter, your benefits will stop.
Form 47 (Rev. 09/20) PAGE 6
HOW ARE FOOD STAMP (SNAP) BENEFITS ISSUED TO YOU?
Benefits are issued using an electric benefit transfer (EBT) card and Personal
Identification Number (PIN).
If you are eligible for benefits and have never received as the head of a household, an
EBT card will be mailed to you. The household uses the EBT card in authorized stores
to purchase food. When the total amount of the food benefit purchase is determined at
the check out counter, you swipe your EBT card through a point of sale device and
enter your PIN number. The amount of the purchase is deducted from your total
monthly allotment.
WHEN ARE BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO THE HOUSEHOLD?
Benefits are credited to the EBT account from the 5
th
through the 23
rd
of each month. To
access your benefits, you need your EBT card and PIN. If your EBT card is lost or stolen or
you forget your PIN, call the EBT customer service help line at 1-888-421-3281. Your lost or
stolen card will be cancelled. A new EBT card and/or PIN will be issued to your household.
To obtain information on-line about your EBT account, log on to www.ebt.acs-inc.com.
Using your card number and Personal Identification Number (PIN), you can:
• Check your current account balance
• Review your transaction history
• Change your PIN
• Contact Customer Service
You must have your card number ready to access your information. Remember to keep
your EBT card and PIN in a safe place. If someone gets your EBT card and PIN, that
individual is able to obtain your benefits. Benefits taken from your EBT account are not
replaced by DFCS.
WHERE CAN YOU SPEND FOOD STAMP (SNAP) BENEFITS?
Food stores which are authorized by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA),
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) may accept EBT transactions to purchase food. Most
stores provide signs to indicate that food stamp benefits may be used to purchase food
products.
WHAT IS PURCHASED WITH FOOD STAMP (SNAP) BENEFITS?
Benefits may only be used to buy food and plants or seeds that grow food, for your
household to eat. Certain food supplements such as Ensure may be purchased with food
stamp benefits.
Form 47 (Rev. 09/20) PAGE 7
Ice, water and cold or room temperature foods, which are not designed to be consumed in
the store, may be purchased with food stamp benefits.
WHAT IS NOT PURCHASED WITH FOOD STAMP (SNAP) BENEFITS?
Food stamp (SNAP) benefits cannot be used to buy alcoholic beverages, cigarettes or
tobacco, household supplies such as soap and paper products, medicines, vitamins, pet
foods, or any non-food items.
WHAT ARE YOUR RIGHTS?
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO:
• receive an application on the day you ask for it.
• request assistance filling out this form and free language assistance services
(interpreters, translated materials, or direct in-language services) if you have
trouble reading, writing, speaking, or understanding the English language.
• request auxiliary aids and services and reasonable modifications if you or
someone in your household has a disability.
• have your application accepted when you file it.
• have an adult apply for your household if you cannot get to the food stamp office.
• have a home visit or telephone interview if you are 60 or older or are disabled and
cannot find someone to apply for you.
• have your EBT card and PIN within 30 days of the date you file your application, if
eligible, or
• have your EBT card and PIN within 5 days of the date you file your application, if
eligible for expedited services.
• receive fair treatment without regard to age, sex, race, color, handicap, religious
creed, national origin, or political beliefs.
• have a fair hearing if you disagree with any action taken on your case.
• examine your case file and the rules of the program.
• be notified in advance if your benefits are reduced or stopped due to a change
that is not reported in writing.
WHAT ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES?
· You must answer all questions completely.
· You must sign your name to certify, under penalty of perjury, that all answers
are true.
· You must provide proof that you are eligible for benefits.
· Do not sell, trade, or give away your food stamp benefits.
· Use food stamp benefits to buy only eligible items.
Form 47 (Rev. 09/20) PAGE 8
WHEN RECEIVING BENEFITS WHAT CHANGES MUST YOUR HOUSEHOLD
REPORT?
Simplified Reporting Households – All food stamp (SNAP) households in Georgia have
simplified reporting requirements.
• This means you must report when your household’s total monthly gross income is
more than 130% of the federal poverty level for your household size.
• If you are a working adult between the ages of 18-49 with no children, you must
report when your work hours are less than 20 hours a week, averaged 80 hours per
month, within 10 days from the end of the month in which the change occurred.
• You must report when your household receives substantial lottery and gambling
winnings. This is a cash prize won in a single game. If you or a household
member receives lottery or gambling winnings, gross amount of $3500 or more
(before taxes or other amounts are withheld), you must report these winnings within
10 days from the end of the month in which the household received the winnings.
Your caseworker will explain this requirement to you. You may report changes to the DFCS
Call Center at 1-877-423-4746 or at https://gateway.ga.gov/access/.
WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES FOR BREAKING THE RULES?
You may lose your benefits or be subject to criminal prosecution for knowingly providing
false information.
• Do not give false information or hide information to get benefits your household
should not get.
• Do not use Food Stamps (SNAP) or EBT cards that are not yours and do not let
someone else use your card.
• Do not use Food Stamps (SNAP) to buy nonfood items such as alcohol or
cigarettes or to pay on credit cards.
• Do not trade or sell Food Stamps (SNAP) or EBT cards for illegal items such as
firearms, ammunition, or controlled substance (illegal drugs).
Any household member who breaks any of the food stamp rules on purpose can
be barred from the Food Stamp Program for one year to permanently, fined up to
$250,000, imprisoned up to 20 years or both. She/he may also be subject to
prosecution under other applicable Federal and State laws. She/he may also be
barred from the Food Stamp Program for an additional 18 months if court
ordered.
Any household member who intentionally breaks the rules may not get Food
Stamps for one year for the first offense, two years for the second offense, and
permanently for the third offense.
Form 47 (Rev. 09/20) PAGE 9
If a court of law finds you or any household member guilty of using or receiving
food stamp benefits in a transaction involving the sale of a controlled substance,
you or that household member will not be eligible for benefits for two years for
the first offense, and permanently for the second offense.
If a court of law finds you or any household member guilty of having used or
received benefits in a transaction involving the sale of firearms, ammunition or
explosives, you or that household member will be permanently ineligible to
participate in the Food Stamp Program upon the first offense of this violation.
If a court of law finds you or any household member guilty of having trafficked
benefits for an aggregate amount of $500 or more, you or that household member
will be permanently ineligible to participate in the Food Stamp Program upon the
first offense of this violation.
If you or any household member is found to have given a fraudulent statement or
representation with respect to identity (who they are) or place of residence (where
they live) in order to receive multiple Food Stamp benefits, you or that household
member will be ineligible to participate in the Food Stamp Program for a period of
10 years.
Form 47 (Rev. 09/20) PAGE 10
Notice of ADA/Section 504 Rights
Help for People with Disabilities
The Georgia Department of Human Services and the Georgia Department of
Community Health (“the Departments”) are required by federal law* to provide persons
with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in and qualify for the Departments’
programs, services, or activities. This includes programs such as SNAP, TANF and
Medical Assistance.
The Departments provide reasonable modifications when the modifications are
necessary to avoid discrimination based on disability. For example, we may change
policies, practices, or procedures to provide equal access. To ensure equally effective
communication, we provide persons with disabilities or their companions with disabilities
communication assistance, such as sign language interpreters. Our help is free. The
Departments are not required to make any modification that would result in a
fundamental alteration in the nature of a service, program or activity or in undue
financial and administrative burdens.
How to Request a Reasonable Modification or Communication Assistance
Please contact your caseworker if you have a disability and need a reasonable
modification, communication assistance, or extra help. For instance, call if you need an
aid or service for effective communication, like a sign language interpreter. You may
contact your caseworker or call DFCS at 404-657-3433 or DCH at 678-248-7449 to
make your request. You may also make your request using the DFCS ADA Reasonable
Modification Request Form, which is available at your local DFCS office or online at
https://dhs.georgia.gov/forms-notices, or you may obtain the DCH ADA Reasonable
Modification Request Form at the DCH Katie Becket Team office or online at
https://medicaid.georgia.gov/programs/all-programs/tefrakatie-beckett, but you do not
have to use a form.
How to File a Complaint
You have the right to make a complaint if the Departments have discriminated against
you because of your disability. For example, you may file a discrimination complaint if
you have asked for a reasonable modification or sign language interpreter that has been
denied or not acted on within a reasonable time. You can make a complaint orally or in
writing by contacting your case worker, your local DFCS office, or the DFCS Civil
Rights, ADA/Section 504 Coordinator at 2 Peachtree Street N.W., Ste 19-454, Atlanta,
GA, 30303, 404-657-3735. For DCH, contact the KB TEAM ADA/Section 504
Coordinator at 5815 Live Oak Pkwy Suite 2-F, Norcross, GA, 30093, 678-248-7449.
You can ask your case worker for a copy of the DFCS civil rights complaint form. The
complaint form is also available at https://dhs.georgia.gov/documents/dfcs-
discrimination-complaint-form-0.
Form 47 (Rev. 09/20) PAGE 11
If you need help making a discrimination complaint, you may contact the DFCS staff
listed above.
Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing or who may have speech disabilities may
call 711 for an operator to connect with us.
You may also file a discrimination complaint with the appropriate federal agency.
Contact information for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is within the “USDA
Nondiscrimination Statement” included within.
*Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990;
and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 ensure persons with
disabilities are free from unlawful discrimination.
Under the Department of Human Service (DHS), you may also file other discrimination
complaints by contacting your local DFCS office, or the DFCS Civil Rights, ADA/Section
504 Coordinator at 2 Peachtree Street N.W., Ste 19-454, Atlanta, GA, 30303, 404-657-
3735. For complaints alleging discrimination based on limited English proficiency,
contact the DHS Limited English Proficiency and Sensory Impaired Program at: Two
Peachtree Street, N.W., Suite 29-103 N.W., Atlanta, GA 30303 or call 404-657-5244
(voice), 404-463-7591 (TTY), 404-651-6815 (fax).
Under the Department of Community Health (DCH) policy, the Medical Assistance
programs cannot deny you eligibility or benefits based on your race, age, sex, disability,
national origin, or political or religious beliefs.
To report Medicaid eligibility or provider discrimination, call the Georgia Department of
Community Health’s Office of Program Integrity (local 404-463-7590) or (toll free) 800-
533-0686. You may also report suspected Medicaid fraud by calling (toll free) 1-800-
533-0686.
Form 47 (Rev. 09/20) PAGE 12
Nondiscrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees,
and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from
discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, religious creed, disability, age,
political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or
activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program
information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should
contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are
deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal
Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made
available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program
Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at:
https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint, and at any
USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the
information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866)
632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
2. fax: (202) 690-7442; or
3. email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
