Hurricane Relief
- Hurricane evacuees seeking assistance
- Services for children with special needs
- Where to get help
- Hurricane Relief volunteers seeking to help
- Georgia Office of Homeland Security (GEMA)
- Expedited Food Stamp Program
- Frequently Asked Questions
Hurricane evacuees seeking assistance
- To find the nearest DFCS office for shelter, food or to complete a food stamp application, click here.
- To get the latest news on DHR assistance activities, click here.
- To find information on the location of loved ones, call:
- Alabama, 1-866-GET-INFO;
- Louisiana, 1-225-925-7345;
- Mississippi, 1-866-438-4636;
- and the Salvation Army HOTLINE for public use, (678) 225-0885 (8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 7 days a week).
- To get information about shelters provided by the Red Cross, call 1-866-269-7505.
- To report complaints about gas prices call the Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs at (404) 651-8600 or 1-800-869-1123.
- To find your nearest Public Health Department, click here.
- To locate the Local Area Agencies on Aging near you, click here.
- To find one of Georgia's Mental Health regional hospitals, click here.
- To have your child support checks sent to your current location in Georgia call 404-657-3862.
How can I get services for my child with special needs?
For services for infant and toddlers with developmental delays/disabilities or for children birth to 21 years of age with chronic medical conditions, contact the DHR Division of Public Health Office of Children with Special Needs at 404.657.2726 or toll free 1.888.651.8224 OR Parent to Parent at 1.800.229.2038 or in Atlanta 770.451.5484. Additional information is available at http://health.state.ga.us/programs/specialneeds/.
Children birth to age 3 who were enrolled in early intervention programs in affected states (Louisiana: Early Steps, Mississippi: First Steps, and Alabama: Alabama Early Intervention System - AEIS) are being accepted into Georgia's Babies Can't Wait program with relaxed requirements.
Children birth to 21 years of age who were enrolled in programs for children with chronic medical conditions in the affected states (Louisiana: Children's Special Health Services - CSHS, Mississippi: Children's Medical Program, and Alabama: Children's Rehabilitation Services - CRS) are being accepted into Georgia's Children's Medical Services program with relaxed requirements.
Parents, health care providers, and other community child-serving agencies can refer children, birth to age 5, at risk for poor health and developmental outcomes to
Children 1st for screening, assessment, referral, and monitoring services. In Louisiana, System Point of Entry (SPOE), is similar to Children 1st.
Parents, and health care providers can refer infants and children, birth to age 3, who are in need of a hearing screen to detect hearing loss or other hearing services to the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and Intervention program (Louisiana: Sound Start, Mississippi: Early Hearing Detection and Intervention, Alabama: Universal Newborn Hearing Screening).
For additional information about Children 1st and Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and Intervention, contact the DHR Division of Public Health, Office of Infant and Child Health at 404.657.4143 or Powerline number at 1.800.822.2539, or visit http://health.state.ga.us/programs/childrenfirst/ or http://health.state.ga.us/programs/unhs/.
Where to get help
If you need economic assistance, help with substance abuse, mental retardation services, counseling, or medical help, you can find the locations for these services on this map. This is for the 15 counties in and around metropolitan Atlanta and includes county health departments, Community Service boards, DFCS offices and federally qualified health centers.
Hurricane Relief volunteers seeking to help
- To learn about the American Red Cross, click here.
- To get information if you would like to volunteer at a local shelter, contact your nearest DFCS office for shelter. Click here.
Georgia Office of Homeland Security (GEMA)
- For the latest summary of what ALL Georgia agencies and local governments are doing, check the "Features Issues" secton in the upper right portion of the screen.
- For links and phone numbers to agencies and organizations assisting the hurricane victims, check the "Quick Links" section.
- For private individuals, organizations, or faith-based communities who want to assist, please contact the American Red Cross through their website (www.redcross.org) or by calling at 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669).
The Department of Human Resources’ Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) is providing expedited Food stamp assistance for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Those storm evacuees who were not already receiving food stamp benefits in their home states and now require assistance are being asked to contact the local DFCS office in their temporary county of residence. Click here. There, evacuees can apply for assistance. Evacuees should call Constituent Services at 404-651-6316 for details.
For the purposes of receiving aid, applicants will be treated as if they are Georgia residents and will be able to receive these expedited Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards (food stamps) benefits at the county DFCS office. Applicants may receive the maximum benefit allowed for their household size. Once recipients have these EBT cards in hand, they must call the toll-free number listed on the card to set a personal identification number (PIN). The benefits will be available within 2 days. In the meantime, DFCS is providing immediate assistance, such as food, clothing and shelter for all evacuees who need assistance.
How do I get food stamps?
Apply at the office of DHR’s Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) for the county where you are staying. To locate the county office, call 1-866-752-3442 or 404/651-6316, or you can find your local office at www.dfcs.dhr.georgia.gov and click on county offices.
If I have my food stamps EBT card from Louisiana, Mississippi or Alabama can I use it here?
Yes, EBT cards work in any state.
If I receive food stamps, but I don’t have my card, can I use my food stamp benefit?
Yes, if you know your card number and PIN. If you are from Alabama, Mississippi or Louisiana and have lost your card but have your number, you can key in your number at the grocery store without the card; enter your PIN and make a purchase. After September 30, you will need to have your card with you to make a purchase.
Alabama: 1-800-997-8888 for account information or card number
1-866-465-2285 or email fs@dhr.state.al.us for replacement card
Mississippi: 1-866-512-5087 for account information or card number
1-866-449-9488 or ebt@mdhs.state.ms.us for replacement card
Louisiana: 1-888-997-1117 for account information or card number
1-866-334-8304 for replacement card
(If you do not have your card number to key in, wait until you hear the voice prompt asking you to indicate that your card has been lost or stolen. Follow instructions to talk with a representative.)
How can I get food if I don't have food stamps, or while I am waiting for card?
Contact the county DFCS office for the county where you are staying to find the food bank nearest you and any other resources for emergency assistance with food.
Where can I get help with more permanent housing?
Check the following website for information: www.hurricanehousing.org or call the Georgia Department of Community Affairs at 1-800-359-4663 or 404-679-4940 in the metro Atlanta area.
How can I get prescriptions filled?
If you have your prescription information with you, Wal-Mart will provide a complimentary 7-day supply at no cost. CVS and Walgreens will access your information if your prescription was previously filled in one of their stores.
If you have a Medicaid, Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield or other prescription card issued from another state, you can use it in Georgia to get your medications.
Numbers to call for prescription assistance:
- Georgia Cares: 1-800-669-8387 for assistance with Medicare or Medicaid coverage for prescriptions for Seniors.
- Georgia Partnership for Caring Foundation provides medications to anyone in need. Call 678-578-2920 (in Atlanta area) or 1-800-982-4723 or go on line www.gacares.org.
What about Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)?
If you have minor children, you may qualify for TANF benefits. Go to the county DFCS office for the county where you are staying to apply.
If you have been receiving TANF benefits in your state, call to verify receipt of benefits or to replace a lost EBT card.
- Alabama:
334-242-1773 - to certify TANF benefit
1-866-465-2285 - to replace EBT card
- Louisiana: TBD
- Mississippi:
601-359-4810 - to certify TANF benefit
1-866-449-9488 - to replace EBT card
How do I get my children registered for school?
Contact the Georgia Department of Education at 404-656-2800 in the metro Atlanta area or
1-800-311-3627.
Where do I apply for unemployment benefits?
Contact the Department of Labor at 1-877-709-8185 for referral to your nearest Career Center.
Where do I go to find a job?
Contact the Department of Labor at 1-877-709-8185 for referral to your nearest Career Center. Or call 404-232-3540 or 404-656-6000.
Where can I find information about free or low-cost health care?
Public Health's medical toll-free number: 1-866-752-3442
Powerline: 1-800-822-2539
Georgia Partnership for Caring: 1-800-982-4723 or 678-578-2920 in Atlanta area.
Where do I go to find missing relatives?
Contact the American Red Cross at 1-866-GET INFO (438-4636) or www.redcross.org and click
on Family Links Registry.
Other locations include:
www.CNN.com Click on Hurricane Katrina.
Next of Kin Registry at www.nokr.org, or call 504-658-8700, 504-658-8721, or 504-658-8714.
Other resources for assistance with needs:
- United Way: 211 (Available 24-hours a day)
- American Red Cross: 1-866-269-7505 (Hurricane Call Center)
- Salvation Army: 1-888-363-2769
- Community Action Agencies: 1-800-869-1150
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