A step by step action plan on getting assistance in Paulding County, GA

1. Action Plan in Finding Assistance for Residents of
Paulding County, GA
There are many ways to get assistance within your county. The
following steps will explain how to find the assistance you qualify for
from public agencies as well as where to obtain assistance through
organizations in your community.
Step 1 – If you are out of work/lost your job – contact the Georgia
Department of Labor to find out your eligibility to file for
unemployment.
http://www.dol.state.ga.us/ - Georgia http://www.dol.gov/ - Federal
You can apply at any Unemployment Office – be sure to bring these documents:
• Your social security number. A claim cannot be filed without a social security
number.
• Employer-issued separation letter or notice, if one was provided.
• Names and addresses of all employers for the last 18 months and the dates worked
for each.
• Proof of immigration status if not a U.S. citizen.
• Personal check with account number and bank routing number if you want benefits
deposited
directly into to a checking or savings account.
• Claims are effective on the date they are filed and are not retroactive to the last day
worked.
You may be eligible for insurance coverage from your previous employer via COBRA.
Currently there is a reduction in Premium program available: (play pays approx 65% of the
premium for up to 15 months) – to learn more:
http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq-cobra-premiumreductionEE.html
Step 1 – Unemployment Notes:
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2. Step 2 – Apply for public assistance.
1. To apply for all public assistance programs to include Medicaid, Food Stamps, Childcare
Assistance, WIC, and/or TANF – go to:
http://dfcs.dhr.georgia.gov/DHR-DFCS/DHR-
DFCS_Food_Stamps/English.pdf
(download application form on this webpage and take with you to the DFCS
office in your area)
Click Here to find your local DFCS office
To apply online for food stamps only go to: dfcs.dhr.georgia.gov/
Click on the Compass icon (Common Point of Access to Social Services) and apply
To apply for programs in Paulding County – download application above, complete and take
to office:
Paulding County DFCS
1387 Industrial Blvd N.
P. O. Box 168
Dallas, Georgia 30132-0168
(770) 443-7810
FAX (770) 443-7820
Be sure to call ahead of time to see if you need an appointment at your DFCS office to apply
for assistance. When you apply take the following:
***Very important: Take a Picture ID, Social Security card for all people in household,
Green Card/immigration papers
Copy of bills – mortgage, utilities, car payments, insurance, child care bills, etc.
Proof of income for household (both spouses if married) – pay stubs for at least a month,
child support payments, alimony payments, etc.****
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families – Based on very low or no income for the
household
Food Stamps – You may qualify even if employed – based on total income for household
and expenses
Childcare Assistance – CAPS Program
Medicaid – Insurance for uninsured children – based on income
(if you do not qualify for Medicaid ask about Peachcare)
WIC – Food program for children under 4 years old
For more info: www.fns.usda.gov/wic
2. Health Department – 770-443-7881
451 Jimmy Campbell Parkway
Dallas, GA 30132 Hours: M&W 8-5, Tu 9-5, Th 8-7, Fr 8-2
Apply for WIC – a free food program for low-income pregnant women, mothers with
babies, and children up to age 5.
Also offers immunizations, screenings for hearing, vision, & dental, and other services.
For more info: www.fns.usda.gov/wic

3. 3. Paulding County Collaborative 770-443-1660
http://www.gafcp.org/fcnetwork/paulding
To access a complete list of agencies in Paulding for assistance: Paulding County
Resource Directory
also
Right from the Start Medicaid – 770-443-7838
445 Paulding Lane
Dallas, GA 30132
Referrals for service – also for Right from the Start Medicaid include: Medicaid eligibility
determined for pregnant women and children under 19 yrs; Georgia Partnership for Caring
Program (see more info under Step 2), and Peachcare (see more info under Step 2).
Help with diapers, formula, and children’s clothes.
For more Information: www.state.ga.us/departments/dhr/facright.html
4. Call 211 or http://211online.unitedwayatlanta.org/
United Way has lists of resources for assistance – check with them to see what other
assistance is available in your area of need.
5. Free School Lunch - if you have children in Public schools – obtain a application from
your school or cafeteria manager to apply for the free lunch program. If you are on food
stamps – you should automatically qualify for the free lunch program. (Be sure to fill in your
case number on the form to expedite)
To learn more: http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/lunch/
Step 2 – Public Assistance Notes:
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4. Step 3 –Finances/Bills/Budget
It is very important to contact your creditors and utility companies BEFORE you get
behind on payments. They may work out partial payment arrangements with you if
you are proactive and contact them before you become delinquent.
1. Call your mortgage company and ask if one payment can be added to the end of the
mortgage, if you can pay interest only payments for a specified time, or if they will
spread any past due amounts over the next few months. You can also ask about a
Forebearance or Loan Modification. If they will not work with you to come up with
a workable solution, contact NACA – www.naca.org and apply for the Home Save
program.
2. Contact your bank concerning any loans you have – and ask if a payment can be
added to the end of the loan – if a grace period can be extended – or if a lower
payment can be made until you are able to make full payments.
3. Contact Utility Companies BEFORE they become overdue and see if a payment
plan can be arranged. Also inquire about agencies that might assist you in paying
your bill.
4. Pay your bills with cash on hand – you can get assistance for food easier than for
money.
5. Trim excess expenses – go to standard cable, basic phone services, free or low-cost
internet services, and basic cell phone services or disconnect until you can afford it.
6. Look into a loan on your 401K if necessary.
7. Use the online budget calculator at http://www.crown.org/Tools/budgetguide.asp -
good baseline for developing a budget.
8. Contact Consumer Credit Counseling Service at 404-527-7630 – they will work with
your creditors and work out payment arrangements.
Note: The agencies below that will assist you with rent, utilities, etc. – however they
may only cover a bill for 1 month. Try to contact at the beginning of the month –
funds are usually dispersed then.
9. Contact Helping Hands of Paulding County – 770-443-1230
10. CAYA (Come as You Are) Reconciliation Ministries - 678-363-7366
Financial assistance toward rent, gas, and other utility bills. People can make their
requests over the phone.
* FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS ONE-TIME DEAL PER YEAR.
11. Contact St. Vincent De Paul Society – 770-443-1533
12. Tallatoona Paulding Human Resource Dev Center – 770-445-4171
13. Many agencies are low on funds – contact all local churches and speak to
their outreach ministry. Explain your situation – accept any amount offered
and that they can make checks out to your lender/complex, utility company,
etc. No matter the amount they can give – accept and put towards the bills.
Step 3 – Bills Notes:
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5. Step 4 – HealthCare and Prescription Coverage
If you have lost your job – check with the benefits department from your last
employer to find out the cost to continue your health insurance under Cobra (see link
in Step 1). You can usually extend your health insurance for 2 years – however if you
can not afford the premium – you can contact the agencies below to apply for
coverage. If you are employed but uninsured – contact the agencies below to see if
you and your family qualify for healthcare programs.
1. Call Powerline at 770-451-5501 or 800-822-2539. or www.hmhbga.org/powerline/
Georgia's only toll-free hotline dedicated to providing Medicaid approved healthcare
referrals and information for free or low-cost healthcare and public health programs (for
men, women, and children). (referral information in English and Spanish)
2. Insurance Coverage - Adults
If you have a doctor and have lost insurance coverage, check with their office to see if they
extend a cash pay option for visits.
If you are not eligible for public health coverage programs (Medicare or Medicaid) nor have
any private health care insurance - and total income for the applicant’s family is at or below
poverty level – you may qualify for assistance with a reduced fee or free doctors visit and
free medications (not all prescriptions) through the Georgia Partnership for Caring
Foundation. You can call 1-800-809-7276 to get a local phone number to contact a Right
from the Start Medicaid (RSM) Outreach Project worker. For more information:
www.gacares.org
3. Insurance Coverage – Children - (if the children do not qualify for Medicaid)
Low Cost HealthCare offered to uninsured Children, There is no cost for children under
age six. Currently, the cost per month for PeachCare for Kids™ coverage is $10 to $35 for
one child and a maximum of $70 for two or more children living in the same household.
Peachcare will cover all medical, dental, prescriptions, and optical– contact PeachCare – 877-
GA-PEACH (do ASAP – takes about 2 months to activate coverage). Once you receive
your cards – contact your primary care provider for your children – fill out paperwork and
submit to get a sticker for your card. Your child will not be covered unless you do this step!
For more information: www.peachcare.org – apply online!
4. Prescription Coverage
TIPS FOR SAVING MONEY ON PRESCRIPTIONS
Ask your physician’s office if there are any samples available.
Ask your physician if you can substitute a generic drug for the brand name.
Ask your pharmacist to recommend a less expensive substitute, then check with your
physician to make sure the substitutions are appropriate for you.
Shop around at different drug stores for the best price. Be sure the pharmacist knows all the
medications you are taking including any over the counter medications.

6. Find out how long you will have to take the prescribed medication so you do not end up
with more of the medication than you may need.
Ask if your pharmacist is willing to match a lower price offered by another
pharmacy/drugstore.
Ask your pharmacist about senior discounts.
You may be able to purchase less than the full prescription, if you are only able to buy a
portion of the medication at a time. Discuss this with your pharmacist.
If you/or your spouse have been in the military, you may be able to get your medications at
lower cost. Contact the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System to update your
address at 1-800-538-9552. Tricare is the Pharmacy program for the military and can be
reached at 1-800-903-4680. You may also contact the Atlanta VA at 404-321-6111.
MANUFACTURERS’ AND STORE DRUG DISCOUNTS
Call for further information or check their websites to ask about specific drug coverage
on these programs.
• Publix.com - 14 day supply of select antibiotics for FREE
• Walmart.com - 30 day supply of select generic drugs for $4
• Target.com - 30 day supply of select generic drugs for $4
• Kmart.com - 3 month supply of select generic drugs for $15
• Pharmacy Discount Network - Get a free pharmacy savings card that you can use instantly
and start saving up to 75% on thousands of prescription drugs.
• pparx.org - find the RX program for your state
• Eli Lilly - With the "LillyAnswers" discount card, low-income seniors can get a 30-day
supply of Lilly retail drugs such as Prozac and Vista, an osteoporosis drug for just $12 a
month. To qualify for the card, seniors must have income of less than $18,000 a year as
singles or $24,000 as couples. The card will be honored at CVS, Longs and Wal-Mart
pharmacies. Call 1-877-RX-LILLY to apply.
• GlaxoSmithKline - GSK is starting the "Orange Card" program, which gives elderly people
who qualify 25 percent off their prescriptions. You must be 65 or older and have annual
incomes of at or less than $26,000 for individuals or $35,000 for a couple. Check back to this
site for updates on how to register. To read an article about the GSK plan, click here.
• Together Rx Card: - Call 1-800-865-7211 for more information. Receive 20% - 40%
savings on select drugs. Several drug companies participate: Abbott Laboratories,
AstraZeneca, Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, GlaxoSmithKline,
Johnson & Johnson, Novartis. Annual Income Below: $28,000/Individual or
$38,000/Couple.
• Phizer – savings programs
http://www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com/pages/Find/FindAll.aspx

7. • Rxaminer - For a $10 fee, Rxaminer will permit users to enter all current prescriptions and
returns a list of available generic or other suggested brands for less money.
• The Medicine Program - The prescription discount program is available to those with
family incomes ranging from below the national poverty level to $60,000 who don't have
health insurance. Call 573-996-7300 and ask for an application. Or, check the Phrma Web
site Phrma.org for a list of drug companies.
More tips to consider:
• Consider online purchases that could typically save 20% to 30%.
• Many consumers find very low prices purchasing prescription drugs from
Canada.
• Are you over age 50? AARP offers discounts on mail-in orders.
• Are you a member of a managed care health program? Consider a 90-day
supply of your medicine vs. a one-month supply. You'll pay one co-
payment vs. three.
• Ask if your medication is cheaper in a higher milligram dose. Then, cut
the tablet as needed for your proper dose. This method can save up to 75%
of the cost.
• Always ask if a generic brand of your prescribed medicine is cheaper.
Step 4 - Healthcare & Prescription Notes:
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8. Step 5 – Food and Clothing Assistance
Contact the agencies below – the food is at no cost or you can purchase for a small
fee.
Community Outreach Church of God in Christ of Hiram
http://www.communityoutreachhiramga.org/
34 Church St.
Hiram, GA 30141 (770) 439-5655
$20.00/$10.00/or no donation option
Get a wonderful selection of veg, fruit, can & pkg goods, dairy (milk and cheese), meats,
bakery items
Held Saturdays at 1:00 (encourage you to get there early)
Warehouse of Hope, Inc.
www.warehouseofhope.org
100 Hunter Road
Douglsaville, GA 30134
770-489-0509
The suggested donation to shop is $7.00. Shopping is not based on income, anyone may
come once a week and pick up a free box of food without any donation as well.
Food Ministry - Hours of Operation
(Open to the Public)
Tuesday: 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Wednesday: 9:00 am to 2.00 pm
Thursday: 9:00 am to 2.00 pm
and 4.30 pm to 8.00 pm
Clothing Ministry - Hours of operation
(Open to the Public)
Tuesday: 9:00 am to 1:30 pm - Wednesday: 9:00 am to 1:30 pm
Thursday: 9:00 am to 2.30 pm and 4.30 pm to 7.30 pm
Angel Food Ministries (Douglasville) - $21 for fresh meats, fresh and frozen fruits,
vegetables, and staple items. 770-942-3121
To find closest location: www.angelfoodministries.org/default.htm
Helping Hands of Paulding County
240 Professional Court
Dallas, GA
770-443-1230
Help with food, rent, utilities, meds, etc.
CAYA (Come as You Are) Reconciliation Ministries 678-363-7366
Give out bread and pastries weekly, groceries once a month, delivery of groceries to people's
homes when possible. Clothing Closet.
***PEOPLE CAN CALL FOR PRAYER AND COUNSELING.
Bethany Christian Church
3264 Villa Rica Highway
Dallas, GA 30157
770-445-3181
Food Pantry is open Thursday 5:00PM to 8:00PM.

9. New Beginnings Food Outreach, Inc.
4375 Cobb Pkwy Acworth 770-386-3419 or 770-529-5828 or 770-974-0076
Fridays - 11:00 to 2:00 PM
Allatoona Community Clothing & Food Ministry
Redemption Baptist Church
4160 New Hope Road (off Glade Road)
770-529-0509 770-974-4454
Food available to needy families Thursday 11AM.
St. Vincent De Paul Society – 770-443-1533
680 West Memorial Drive Dallas, GA 30132
Emergency assistance with food, rent, utilities or medicine.
Tallatoona Paulding Human Resource Dev Center
329 S. Johnston Street Dallas, GA 30132
770-445-4171
Emergency Utilities, Rent, surplus food, winter energy assistance program, and takes
applications for local Head Start and Pre-K program.
If a woman is in need of emergency housing - contact:
Sheperd’s Rest Ministries Battered Women’s Shelter – 770-443-5213
The shelter provides women and children with emergency housing, emergency
transportation, food, and clothing. Also counseling and assists women with employment
search.
To get assistance with child support - contact Paulding’s Georgia Child Support
Enforcement Office
1387 Industrial Blvd N
Suite 102
Dallas GA 30132-
Phone: 770-443-7841
Fax: 770-443-7888
Customer Service Hotline 1-800-227-7993
For more information: http://www.cse.dhr.state.ga.us/index.html
Pregnancy Support – contact Paulding Pregnancy Services, Inc.
1899 Lake Road. Suite 120 Hiram, GA 30141
770-222-6911
Free Pregnancy Tests, On-going counseling, Maternity clothes, Baby Items - For more
information: www.pauldingpregnancy.com
Step 5 - Notes:
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10. Step 6 – Be sure to make time for fun and relaxation
When going through difficult times – it is important to find time to relax and to have
fun - it can help you keep a positive attitude. Some great ideas – free or low-cost:
1. Go to your local library and check-out books and videos. There is no charge for
checking out videos – pop some popcorn and have a movie night!
2. Look through your paper (online - AJC.com – AccessAtlanta.com) and find free
events in your community – concerts – art exhibits – parades – much to do in Metro
Atlanta!
3. Contact your counties Parks and Recreation Department and see if they have any
free activities for families.
4. The Georgia Parks Department offers events at parks throughout our state. Go to
their website for more information:
http://www.gastateparks.org//
5. Pack a picnic and go to a favorite spot outdoors for dinner – enjoy a sunset…
6. Go to your Chamber of Commerce and get a guide to your county – make a trip to
see historic sites.
7. Take your bike and ride on the Silver Comet Trail – beautiful scenery and good
exercise!
8. Go camping – great way for a family to get away and enjoy the outdoors (at one of
our state parks – link is above) or even camp in your backyard – make Smore’s - look
at the stars…
9. Contact Local Churches and find out what activities they have for members in your
family.
10. Go to a local high school ball game –- bring a thermos filled with hot chocolate to a
football game – and feel the enthusiasm!
11. A good way to reduce stress – EXERCISE - take a walk – or ride a bike – jog –
swim at a city pool…
12. Volunteer – in helping others you will find great reward.
13. Attend a service at a local church. The messages can be very inspiring and can really
make a difference in your week.
Remember – God loves you – and is there for you during this difficult time.
“If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to Me and I will give you
rest... rest for your soul.”
Matthew 11:28-30
If you have a specific need that is not addressed in this action plan please contact:
EMAIL: THELIFEBOAT.INFO@COMCAST.NET