benefits programs: snap / medicaid

There are a couple of options. First, you can utilize a Gateway Community Partner like our Benefits Outreach team.  You can call, fill out our referral form so we can contact you, or set up an appointment to come directly to the Food Bank in person for application assistance with SNAP and/or Medicaid.  The second option is you can complete the application yourself at gateway.ga.gov. 

Bring the following items (if applicable):

• Photo ID
• Other unearned income
• Lease or mortgage
• Utility bills
• Pay stubs (past month)
• Medical bills (seniors and disabled only)
• Social Security/S.S.I. award letter

Generally, SNAP cases have 30 days to be processed and Medicaid cases have 45 days to be processed. In some situations, the timeline may be shorter or longer for SNAP cases. We try to make sure all individuals who receive application assistance from us understand what is most likely with their given situation so they know what to expect.

If we submitted your application for you, we can look up the status within Gateway. Otherwise, the best way to find out the status would be to call DFCS’s (Georgia Division of Family & Children Services) hotline – 1-877-423-4746.

Not everyone needs to be a citizen. Legal residents who’ve been in the country for at least 5 years are eligible for benefits. Refugees may also be eligible, without being citizens, for benefits. Undocumented individuals are not eligible for SNAP or Medicaid benefits but individuals within the household, if citizens or legal residents for at least 5 years, could still be eligible. DFCS considers that a mixed status family and will award the benefit amount (for SNAP), if approved, based on the number of eligible individuals within the household.  For individuals who are undocumented we may still be able to provide assistance for other forms of medical coverage.