Georgia Child-Only TANF Application for Relative Caregivers

What Is a Child-Only TANF Grant in Georgia?

When a grandparent or relative takes over raising a child in Georgia, the state does not expect them to prove they are low-income to get cash help for the child. A child-only TANF grant covers the child alone — the caregiver applies as a "non-needy caretaker relative," meaning DFCS never counts the caregiver's Social Security, pension, wages, or savings when deciding eligibility.

The only income that matters is the child's own: child support payments, Social Security survivor benefits paid under the child's number, or any earnings the child has. For most kinship households, the child has zero countable income, so the family qualifies for the maximum monthly grant.

Georgia limits child-only TANF to specified-degree relatives — grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, step-relatives, and great-grandparents. Family friends with no legal or blood tie cannot apply through this pathway.

How to Apply Through Georgia Gateway

Applications go through the Georgia Gateway portal at gateway.ga.gov or on a paper Form 297 at your county DFCS office. Here is the sequence:

1. Create or log in to a Georgia Gateway account. Use the child's information to start a new TANF application.
2. Select "cash assistance" as the benefit type. When the portal asks about household members, list only the child (or children) in the assistance unit and yourself as the non-needy caretaker relative.
3. Upload or bring verification documents. DFCS will need proof of the child's identity (birth certificate or Social Security card), proof of your relationship to the child, proof of residency in Georgia, and documentation of any income the child receives.
4. Attend the mandatory interview. DFCS schedules a phone or in-person interview after receiving the application. This is where a caseworker confirms the living arrangement and reviews your documents.
5. Respond to any written verification request by its due date. DFCS must allow at least 14 days to provide requested verification. The notice gives your specific deadline.

DFCS's application processing standard is 45 calendar days from receipt of the signed application. If you applied online and have not heard back by then, call your county DFCS office directly.

Documents to Gather Before You Apply

Pull these together before starting the application to be ready for any verification request:

• Child's birth certificate or hospital birth record
• Child's Social Security card (or SSN)
• Proof of your relationship (your own birth certificate showing a common parent, marriage certificate connecting you to the child's family, or a court order)
• Proof of Georgia residency (utility bill, lease, or a letter from the person you live with)
• Any documentation of income the child receives (child support order, Social Security award letter)
• Photo ID for the caregiver

If the child was placed with you informally — no court order, no DFCS involvement — that is fine. Georgia allows child-only TANF for informal kinship arrangements as long as you meet the relationship requirement.

Non-Needy Caretaker Rules: What DFCS Ignores

The "non-needy" designation means DFCS does not examine the caregiver's financial situation at all. Your retirement account, your spouse's income, your home equity, and your monthly pension are irrelevant. There is no asset limit for the caregiver in a child-only case.

The practical effect is significant: a grandparent receiving $2,500 a month in Social Security retirement benefits can qualify for the same child-only TANF grant as a grandparent with zero income. The grant amount depends solely on how many children are in the assistance unit and how much income the children have in their own names.

Non-needy caretaker relatives are also exempt from TANF work requirements. You will not be asked to attend job training, submit job search logs, or participate in work activities. The 48-month lifetime limit on TANF benefits does not apply to child-only cases — the grant can continue until the child turns 18 (or 19 if still in high school).

What Happens After Approval

Once approved, benefits are loaded monthly onto a Georgia EBT debit card. You can use the card at ATMs to withdraw cash or at retailers that accept EBT. DFCS sends a notice of approval showing the monthly amount, the children covered, and the date benefits begin.

You will need to recertify periodically — DFCS sends a renewal notice before the deadline. Keep your contact information current in Georgia Gateway so you do not miss it.

If DFCS denies the application, the denial letter explains the reason. You have the right to request a fair hearing to appeal, and the appeal must be filed within 30 days of the denial notice.

For a complete walkthrough of every financial program available to Georgia kinship caregivers — including GRG supplements, Medicaid, SNAP, and childcare subsidies — the Georgia Kinship Financial Help Guide organizes each program's rules, documents, and application steps in one printable reference.

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