COVID-19 in Georgia

Overview

As we continue to monitor developments with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the GBPI staff are focused on the effects of COVID-19 on Georgians across the state. We will continue to provide updates and recommendations for the best ways our state can mitigate harm and protect Georgians through this public health emergency. Our team is working with partners and communities on the ground to understand what’s happening and translate that need into proactive solutions. Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for news and updates on COVID-19 in Georgia. You can also subscribe to our newsletter to receive our analysis and latest research each week. The GBPI staff continue to work remotely during this public health emergency. The best way to reach us is via email, and you can find our staff contact information here.

Blog

Long-term Health Impact of COVID-19: Planning for Children Who Have Lost a Caregiver and Adults Experiencing Long COVID

Leah Chan October 3, 2022

Thank you to Mandy Alderman of COVID Survivors for Change for sharing her personal story. In 2021, COVID-19 …

Coronavirus

GBPI Letter Urges Senators to Pass Comprehensive COVID-19 Relief

Alex Welch December 8, 2020

December 4, 2020 Senator David Perdue455 Russell Senate Office BuildingWashington DC 20510 Dear Senator Perdue, The holiday season …

Budget and Taxes

Federal Funding Given to Georgia in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Danny Kanso August 14, 2020

As of August 1, 2020, the federal fiscal response to the COVID-19 pandemic includes two major legislative packages: …

Alex Camardelle

New Support for Students Who Receive Free and Reduced-Price Lunch

Alex Camardelle August 11, 2020

A Spanish-Language PDF is also available here. From now until Sept. 18, families of school children who receive …

Blog

Georgians Need Congress to Prioritize Bipartisan Relief Package

Taifa Smith Butler August 3, 2020

Georgians have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and the deepest economic downturn since the Great Depression. Infection …

Cash and Safety Net

Spread the Word: COVID Relief Plan Must Meet the Need of Georgians

Jennifer Crane July 28, 2020

Millions of people are struggling to feed themselves and their families, falling behind on rent and losing their …

Policy Priorities

Recent Press

As student loans mount for Black women, leaders are split on how to help

August 28, 2023

CNN: Georgia is now the only state with work requirements in Medicaid

August 9, 2023

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp dangles the possibility of increased state spending after years of surpluses

August 2, 2023

GBPI Recommendations

GBPI continues to evaluate the state’s public health emergency and propose solutions to help working families weather layoffs and lost wages. Below is a list outlining GBPI’s proposals thus far. State leaders should:

Take advantage of Medicaid’s flexibility and the increased federal match rate by:

Expanding Medicaid to those making less than 138 percent of the federal poverty line

Streamlining enrollment by expanding presumptive and retroactive eligibility for faster Medicaid enrollment at hospitals, allowing enrollees to self-attest their eligibility and delaying the annual renewal process to ensure continuous coverage

Implementing new state plan amendments and/or seeking new federal waivers to support home- and community-based services, allow more providers to participate in Medicaid and waive authorization requirements

Use new funding available for health care to:

Increase the Department of Public Health’s (DPH) capacity for testing and monitoring efforts

Increase hospital capacity

Purchase items like respirators, ventilators and personal protective equipment

Further improve access to SNAP by:

Restoring cuts to SNAP caseworkers in the FY 2021 budget

Extend SNAP benefits for all current recipients through June 2020 to stabilize family income and increase access for new SNAP applications

Waive the signature requirement so benefits outreach workers can submit applications on behalf of clients

Waive the signature requirement directly for all SNAP applications

Minimize all verification and accept self-attestation wherever possible, including elimination of verification of shelter expenses

Rapidly and comprehensively promote access to SNAP via the DFCS website

Add contact information for community organizations that can assist with screening, assuring that complete applications are submitted with all relevant documentation

Help families access unemployment insurance through:

Appropriating emergency funds to meet higher demand for unemployment insurance

Extending duration of unemployment assistance from 14 to 26 weeks (Update: The Georgia Department of Labor extended eligibility to 26 weeks on March 26, 2020)

Waiving work-search requirements for all claimants

Relaxing the earnings threshold to include low wage workers

Allowing contract workers to access benefits

Resources for Georgians

Health

The Georgia Department of Public Health created a COVID-19 page with updates from the governor, information on how to prevent the spread of the virus and other guidance for individuals during this public health emergency. They also have a daily status report site to track confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the state.

Disconnected Services

The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency put together a list of all Georgia services that have suspended disconnections. If you don’t see your service listed, the state has advised to contact your utility or service provider directly as some businesses are offering alternate payment arrangements for this situation.

Education

Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) has a comprehensive resource page for COVID-19 that includes the latest state news, school closure information, online learning resources and more. GaDOE is also adding individual school district COVID-19 resource pages as more are created.

Unemployment

The Georgia Department of Labor is providing online access to unemployment services, partial claim access for employers and other reemployment services. You can learn how to file unemployment and other claims here at the DOL’s website. If you need legal support, Georgia Legal Services Program (GLSP) offers free assistance to Georgians in 154 counties outside of metro Atlanta whose earnings do not exceed 200 percent above the federal poverty line or are 60 years or older. You can check your eligibility here. If you live in a county they do not serve, GLSP can provide an appropriate local number to refer you to. Atlanta Legal Aid can be reached through their regular email and phone numbers at their five locations in the metro Atlanta area. You can find their contact information here.

Food

Many Georgia families will be able to pick up school meals for their children during state-mandated closures. Georgia Public Broadcasting has compiled a list of school districts and their meal pick-up procedures. You can find that list here. FoodFinder also provides an easy tool to locate free food resources. You’ll find pantries, ministry services, co-ops and more by searching your zip code.

Resources for Immigrants

The Center for Pan Asian Community Services (CPACS) has put together in-language resources on COVID-19. Information includes in-language information on how to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and what to do if you believe you are sick. Other resources include information from local governments in metro-Atlanta about changes in the community concerning the coronavirus, including curfews and changes in businesses. You can access all their multilingual resources here. CPACS also provides low-cost immigration consultations as well as these organizations: