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.
barista Alex Camardelle

State of Working Georgia Before and During COVID-19

April 17, 2020
This blog was co-authored by Senior Policy Analyst Alex Camardelle and Research Associate Ray Khalfani On March 13, ...
college students outside Coronavirus

Federal Relief Not Enough to Meet College Students’ Financial Needs

April 17, 2020
Since publication of this blog post, the federal Department of Education allocated a second pot of relief dollars ...
Mother puts mask on daughter Blog

Implement Immigrant-Inclusive Policies During the COVID-19 Crisis

April 15, 2020
Key Takeaways Thus far, many state and federal efforts to mitigate the health and economic effects of COVID-19 ...
For Rent Sign Blog

Support Healthy Communities in Georgia with a Temporary Eviction Ban

April 9, 2020
An extensive body of research shows that poor housing conditions and housing instability are associated with worse health ...
Family walking outside Alex Camardelle

TANF Funding and COVID-19: A Critical Opportunity

April 8, 2020
  Gap Between Black and white children The COVID-19 pandemic will have an outsized impact on Black Georgians, ...
a-5 Blog

Online Instruction Could Leave Rural Schools, Vulnerable Students Behind

April 8, 2020
Recently, Gov. Kemp ordered the state’s public schools to close for the remainder of the academic year in ...

Policy Priorities

Recent Press

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:
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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
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    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
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    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
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    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

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    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.

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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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:

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    Critical SNAP Updates

    The Georgia Department of Human Services has clarified that SNAP recipients can use their EBT card with any unspent SNAP benefits in November.  

    DHS states: “Households may continue to redeem benefits issued to their electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card prior to Nov. 1, 2025, at any SNAP authorized retailer.” 

    However, as DHS reported before, the November SNAP benefits will be suspended until federal funds are available. 

    If you are in need of food, you can find a local food bank here.  

    Submit your comment on the Georgia Pathways to Coverage Program

    Submit public comment on Georgia’s Pathways to Coverage program extension by February 20th – just complete this easily fillable form:

    Submit Comment