Atlanta area Catholic Charities financial assistance programs.
Many people are contacting Catholic Charity locations in Atlanta and Fulton County for assistance. Some of the most common requests are from individuals who need help with needs such as housing, food, rent, utility bills, and overall self-sufficiency. Requests are coming from the low income and working poor, and many individuals have never requested assistance before and are now doing so because of the weak economy. Information on assistance programs are offered in English and Spanish. Case managers from the Atlanta Catholic Charities can help families stabilize their current living situation, and importantly provide services and resources to help people gain self-sufficiency.
A service known as EarnBenefits is offered by Catholic Charities Atlanta. This is a screening process for public, state of Georgia and federal government benefits and programs. Staff can also help people apply if they are found to be eligible. Up to twenty different services can be applied for, including public such as Food Stamps, WIC, LIHEAP, and more.
Information and Referral Services is similar to above. The Catholic Charities office works with agencies across Fulton County and the state of Georgia to ensure low income families, seniors, and others get the aid and support they need. It can include rent help from housing vouchers, or credit and mortgage delinquency counseling from government approved counselors. A number of resources and programs are offered, as the agency realizes the importance of making sure there is a good service match for individuals.
All residents and Catholic Charity clients who are seeking referral assistance or information will be scheduled to meet with a coordinator. The case manager will meet one on one with the applicant. This entire process is confidential. Together the case manager and the individual will conduct a thorough intake and assessment of their current financial situation.
At the conclusion of this process, they will decide the best service agency to help assist with those needs, whether they are financial for paying bills, or others such as non-monetary like clothing. The Catholic Charity Information & Referral Coordinator will also help the individual access community services and apply for government assistance, and they will advocate on behalf of the applicant. The case manager will also conduct follow-up services. This will help ensure the family obtains all of the assistance that is needed.
The main goal of the referral program is to help empower the client, and give them or enhance their decision making and problem solving skills, along with building self-esteem. These are the beginning steps to help families and individuals work towards self-sufficiency.
The case manager from the Catholic Charities can help people apply for the following federal government or state of Georgia assistance programs. TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families); prescriptions from Together RX; Food Stamps; LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program); PeachCare; Medicaid/ Right from Start Medicaid; and financial help for paying utility bills. Read more on Georgia public assistance.
Fulton County homeowners can also access the Catholic Charities Default/Delinquency and Foreclosure Intervention and Prevention Workshops. These programs may be able to help people get back on track with paying their home loan, or help them avoid a foreclosure.
The Catholic Charities Atlanta agency is a federal government HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agency. They provide free or low cost counseling for homeowners of all income and backgrounds who are having trouble making their monthly mortgage payments.
Each homeowner will have their financial situation reviewed, and the housing counselor will work with the homeowner in determining possible solutions and options. Services can include developing a budget, creating an action plan, and they will provide information about the foreclosure process, as well as your rights as a homeowner.
If you qualify for additional services and need help, the counselor may also facilitate and work with national and local lenders and banks to explore alternatives offered by them to solve current loan defaults. A Catholic Charity specialist may help people catch up on their mortgage adjust their monthly payment to affordable terms through modifications or principal reductions. The staff at the Atlanta Georgia locations are highly trained and qualified to assist homeowners in keeping their home and addressing budget situations or other credit items that may impact their ability to pay their monthly mortgage payment.
Full documentation will need to be provided, including but not limited to a copy of your mortgage statement, foreclosure notice, and any other correspondence from an attorney or your lender, recent pay stubs and tax forms, copies of utility bills showing homeowner name and property address, all credit card statements, and more. Click here for more details on the Catholic Charity mortgage assistance programs.
Foreclosure Prevention Workshops are facilitated by Catholic Charities across Fulton County and Atlanta Georgia. The sessions provide participants information on the foreclosure process and government mortgage programs. This can include insight into the basic steps necessary to save your home from foreclosure. Certified Housing Counselors will hold the workshops, and they have relationships and experience in working with banks, lenders and experience in dealing with the foreclosure process. As with a counseling session above, bring all relevant financial documentation, proof of hardship, and come prepared to the workshop.
Individual Development Account (IDA) and the Savings Match Program is offered by Catholic Charities. This service provides financial education and practical skills, including a savings account match. Programs are related and focused on the home-buying process in the state of Georgia, and methods to save money and build a solid financial foundation.
Immigration Legal Services is provided to thousands of Georgia families per year by Catholic Charities. A multi-lingual staff provide affordable yet high quality and comprehensive immigration legal services to help eligible families and individuals obtain their permanent legal status. This can include providing legal representation during deportation proceedings and assistance for clients with the naturalization process. The nationally-recognized Accredited Representatives and attorneys are experienced in representing immigrants who are the victims of domestic abuse, trafficking, crimes and other civil issues.
Immigrants and refugees can get help with the following. Work Permits; Obtaining legal status; Naturalization; Asylum; Violence Against Women Act (VAWA); Adjustment of Status; and Family Petitions.
Location of Catholic Charities in Atlanta Georgia and Fulton County
- 680 West Peachtree Street Northwest, Atlanta, Georgia 30308, call (404) 881-6571
- 5238 Peachtree Road, Chamblee, dial (770) 429-2369
- 119 Sycamore Drive, Suite 3, Athens, GA 30606, 706-548-9421
- Northlake Office Park, 2305 Parklake Drive, Suite 150, Building 9, Atlanta, Georgia 30345
- St. John Newman Catholic Church, 801 Tom Smith Road, Lilburn, Georgia 30047, 678-735-4540
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