Georgia Financial Help
Georgia Financial Help, Food, Utilities & Basic Needs
A practical directory of rent and utility assistance, food banks, clothing closets, and basic-needs programs that people on probation, parole, or with a record in Georgia may be able to use. Many of these are open to the general public; a few are reentry-focused. Always ask if there are restrictions based on your charges, where you live, or supervision status.
Statewide & Online Access
Resources that serve all or most Georgia counties.
✅ Verified Core Financial & Basic-Needs Safety-Net
Georgia Gateway / DFCS – SNAP, TANF & Benefits Portal
Online portal to apply for food assistance (SNAP), cash assistance (TANF), childcare support and other DFCS-administered benefits. Having a record does not automatically disqualify you, but there are income and household rules.
Online portal to apply for food assistance (SNAP), cash assistance (TANF), childcare support and other DFCS-administered benefits. Having a record does not automatically disqualify you, but there are income and household rules.
Statewide
United Way 2-1-1 Georgia
Phone and online referral line connecting you to local rent/utility help, food pantries, shelters, and other community programs in your county.
Phone and online referral line connecting you to local rent/utility help, food pantries, shelters, and other community programs in your county.
Statewide
Feeding Georgia – Regional Food Banks
Network of regional food banks (Atlanta Community Food Bank, Golden Harvest, Second Harvest of South Georgia, and others) that supply pantries and feeding programs across the state.
Network of regional food banks (Atlanta Community Food Bank, Golden Harvest, Second Harvest of South Georgia, and others) that supply pantries and feeding programs across the state.
Statewide network
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – Georgia
Helps eligible households with a one-time payment toward heating or cooling bills during enrollment periods. Administered locally by community action agencies.
Helps eligible households with a one-time payment toward heating or cooling bills during enrollment periods. Administered locally by community action agencies.
Call your local community action agency or check DFCS/Georgia Power announcements
Statewide (local intake)
🛠️ Eligible Other Statewide & Online Supports
Goodwill & Thrift Store Assistance (Local Programs)
Many Goodwill and charity thrift stores in Georgia offer low-cost clothing and, in some cases, vouchers for people reentering the community or working with a case manager.
Many Goodwill and charity thrift stores in Georgia offer low-cost clothing and, in some cases, vouchers for people reentering the community or working with a case manager.
Ask your PO, reentry navigator, or nonprofit if they can issue a voucher referral
Statewide / Local
ID & Vital Documents Help (Various Providers)
Reentry and homeless-serving nonprofits around Georgia help people obtain state IDs, birth certificates, and Social Security cards — key for jobs, housing and benefits.
Reentry and homeless-serving nonprofits around Georgia help people obtain state IDs, birth certificates, and Social Security cards — key for jobs, housing and benefits.
Search 211 or ask local reentry programs for “ID assistance” options
Statewide / Local
Atlanta Metro
Counties: Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, Clayton and nearby.
✅ Verified Major Food & Basic-Needs Hubs
Atlanta Community Food Bank – Partner Pantry Network
Supplies hundreds of food pantries and meal programs across Metro Atlanta and North Georgia, with an online “Find Help” map and SNAP application support.
Supplies hundreds of food pantries and meal programs across Metro Atlanta and North Georgia, with an online “Find Help” map and SNAP application support.
Metro Atlanta
Atlanta Mission & Partner Shelters
Network of shelters in Atlanta providing meals, emergency beds, showers, clothing and case management. Some locations work regularly with people on supervision.
Network of shelters in Atlanta providing meals, emergency beds, showers, clothing and case management. Some locations work regularly with people on supervision.
Atlanta (Fulton)
St. Vincent de Paul Georgia – Local Conferences
Faith-based charity with neighborhood chapters that may help with partial rent, utilities, food and thrift store vouchers when funds are available.
Faith-based charity with neighborhood chapters that may help with partial rent, utilities, food and thrift store vouchers when funds are available.
Metro Atlanta / Statewide chapters
🛠️ Eligible Local Assistance & Reentry-Friendly Programs
Reentry & Workforce Programs with Basic-Needs Support
Several Atlanta-area reentry and workforce nonprofits provide transportation passes, work clothing, and small emergency assistance while you participate in their programs.
Several Atlanta-area reentry and workforce nonprofits provide transportation passes, work clothing, and small emergency assistance while you participate in their programs.
Ask your PO or job counselor which programs are active this year
Metro Atlanta
County-Specific Aid Funds & Church Outreach
Counties and churches sometimes run short-term relief funds for utilities, eviction prevention, and food boxes; availability changes month to month.
Counties and churches sometimes run short-term relief funds for utilities, eviction prevention, and food boxes; availability changes month to month.
Use 211 and county websites; be honest about supervision status when asked
Fulton / DeKalb / Cobb / Gwinnett / Clayton
Central Georgia / Macon Area
Counties: Bibb, Houston, Peach and nearby.
✅ Verified Food Banks & Community Action
Middle Georgia Community Food Bank – Partner Pantries
Regional food bank serving Macon and surrounding counties through local pantries, mobile food distributions, and community partners.
Regional food bank serving Macon and surrounding counties through local pantries, mobile food distributions, and community partners.
Central Georgia
Regional Community Action Agencies
Nonprofits contracted to run LIHEAP, weatherization, and limited rent/utility help for low-income residents in Central Georgia counties, including people on supervision.
Nonprofits contracted to run LIHEAP, weatherization, and limited rent/utility help for low-income residents in Central Georgia counties, including people on supervision.
Search “community action agency” plus your county name for intake details
Bibb / Houston / Surrounding counties
🛠️ Eligible Churches & Charities
Church-Based Food & Clothing Closets
Macon-area churches operate food pantries, clothing banks, and small benevolence funds. Some are open-door; others require a referral or proof of address.
Macon-area churches operate food pantries, clothing banks, and small benevolence funds. Some are open-door; others require a referral or proof of address.
Call ahead to confirm hours, documents needed, and any child-related restrictions
Central Georgia
Augusta & Central Savannah River Area (CSRA)
Counties: Richmond, Columbia, Burke and nearby.
✅ Verified Food & Emergency Help
Golden Harvest Food Bank – Find Help
Regional food bank serving the CSRA with partner pantries and mobile distributions in Augusta and surrounding counties.
Regional food bank serving the CSRA with partner pantries and mobile distributions in Augusta and surrounding counties.
Augusta / CSRA
The Salvation Army – Augusta Area Command
Provides food, emergency shelter, and sometimes limited financial assistance for utilities or rent when funds allow.
Provides food, emergency shelter, and sometimes limited financial assistance for utilities or rent when funds allow.
Ask what documentation is needed (ID, lease, disconnection notice, etc.)
Augusta
🛠️ Eligible Local Ministries & Case Management
Reentry-Friendly Ministries & Day Centers
Some Augusta ministries focus on people returning from jail or prison and may help with basic clothing, hygiene items, and job-readiness materials.
Some Augusta ministries focus on people returning from jail or prison and may help with basic clothing, hygiene items, and job-readiness materials.
Ask your PO or jail-reentry staff which groups are currently active
Augusta & CSRA
Savannah & Coastal Georgia
Counties: Chatham, Liberty, Glynn and nearby.
✅ Verified Food Banks & Outreach
America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia
Regional food bank serving Savannah, Brunswick and surrounding counties with partner pantries, kids’ feeding programs and mobile food distributions.
Regional food bank serving Savannah, Brunswick and surrounding counties with partner pantries, kids’ feeding programs and mobile food distributions.
Coastal Georgia
Savannah Outreach Ministries & Shelters
Local shelters and day centers in Savannah provide meals, showers, mail service, casework and referrals to longer-term housing and benefits.
Local shelters and day centers in Savannah provide meals, showers, mail service, casework and referrals to longer-term housing and benefits.
Check 211 or city homelessness resources for current list
Chatham County
🛠️ Eligible Small-Town Help & Churches
Local Churches & Civic Groups
In smaller coastal towns, churches and civic groups often run food distributions and small emergency-assistance funds for utilities or prescriptions.
In smaller coastal towns, churches and civic groups often run food distributions and small emergency-assistance funds for utilities or prescriptions.
Call ahead; ask if a referral from DFCS, VA or PO is required
Liberty / Glynn & nearby
Columbus & West Georgia
Counties: Muscogee, Troup and nearby.
✅ Verified Food & Financial Help
Feeding the Valley Food Bank
Regional food bank serving Columbus and West Georgia with partner food pantries and mobile distributions in multiple counties.
Regional food bank serving Columbus and West Georgia with partner food pantries and mobile distributions in multiple counties.
Columbus & West GA
Local Missions & Salvation Army – Columbus
Provide meals, shelter, clothing, and limited utility or rent assistance when funds allow.
Provide meals, shelter, clothing, and limited utility or rent assistance when funds allow.
Ask about any restrictions tied to sex-offense or violent convictions
Columbus Area
🛠️ Eligible Reentry-Focused Nonprofits
Reentry & Case-Management Programs (West Georgia)
Some West Georgia nonprofits provide case management, small emergency funds, transportation help, and work clothing for people leaving prison or jail.
Some West Georgia nonprofits provide case management, small emergency funds, transportation help, and work clothing for people leaving prison or jail.
Ask your PO or prison reentry coordinator which programs currently have slots
West Georgia
North & Northwest Georgia
Examples: Whitfield (Dalton), Floyd (Rome), Hall (Gainesville), Bartow (Cartersville).
✅ Verified Food Banks & Community Action
Regional Food Pantries & Mobile Distributions
Partner agencies of Atlanta Community Food Bank and other regional banks operate pantries and mobile markets in Rome, Dalton, Gainesville and smaller towns.
Partner agencies of Atlanta Community Food Bank and other regional banks operate pantries and mobile markets in Rome, Dalton, Gainesville and smaller towns.
Search food bank sites or 211 for pantries in your county
North & Northwest GA
Community Action Agencies – North Georgia
Administer LIHEAP, weatherization and sometimes rental assistance across multiple northern counties.
Administer LIHEAP, weatherization and sometimes rental assistance across multiple northern counties.
Look up the agency that covers your county and ask about open programs
North Georgia
🛠️ Eligible Churches, Civic Groups & Mutual Aid
Local Benevolence Funds & Mutual-Aid Groups
Many towns have ministerial associations or mutual-aid groups that help with small utility bills, gas cards, or grocery support when funds are available.
Many towns have ministerial associations or mutual-aid groups that help with small utility bills, gas cards, or grocery support when funds are available.
Call early in the month; funds often run out quickly
North & Northwest GA
South & Rural Georgia
Examples: Dougherty (Albany), Lowndes (Valdosta), Thomas, Tift and nearby.
✅ Verified Regional Food & Assistance Programs
Second Harvest of South Georgia
Food bank serving Albany, Valdosta, and surrounding rural counties with partner pantries, mobile food distributions, and kids’ feeding programs.
Food bank serving Albany, Valdosta, and surrounding rural counties with partner pantries, mobile food distributions, and kids’ feeding programs.
South Georgia
Community Action & DFCS-Linked Programs
Rural counties rely heavily on community action agencies and DFCS-linked programs for LIHEAP, weatherization and occasional rent or emergency funds.
Rural counties rely heavily on community action agencies and DFCS-linked programs for LIHEAP, weatherization and occasional rent or emergency funds.
Ask about waiting lists and what documents to bring to your intake appointment
South & Rural GA
🛠️ Eligible Local Churches & Rural Outreach
Rural Church Food Boxes & Outreach Ministries
Many South Georgia churches host monthly food-box distributions or provide small amounts of gas money, work clothes, or hygiene items to neighbors in crisis.
Many South Georgia churches host monthly food-box distributions or provide small amounts of gas money, work clothes, or hygiene items to neighbors in crisis.
Check flyers, 211, and social-media pages for schedules and eligibility
South & Rural GA
Important: These programs are separate from your court and supervision payments. Using help with food, rent, or utilities usually does not change what you owe in restitution, court costs, or supervision fees unless the court orders otherwise.
- Keep receipts, letters, and appointment cards in your OACRA folder.
- Tell your officer about any address changes, new roommates, or loss of utilities.
- If a program pays rent or utilities directly, make sure your name and case number stay accurate.
OACRA is information only: We do not approve or deny benefits and we cannot guarantee funding. Programs change and funds run out. Always call ahead, ask what documents you need, and be honest about your supervision status.
Get listed or updated: Are you a Georgia agency or nonprofit offering financial or basic-needs help to justice-involved individuals? Email contact@oacra.app with your details so we can review your listing.
