Human Services
The Department of Human Services provides Georgia with customer-focused human services that promote child and adult protection, child welfare, stronger families and self-sufficiency. DHS includes the Division of Aging Services, the Division of Child Support Services, and the Division of Family and Children Services. DHS delivers a wide range of human services designed to promote self-sufficiency, safety and well-being for all Georgians.
The department is one of the largest agencies in state government with an annual budget of $1.8 billion in fiscal year 2017 and nearly 9,000 employees. DHS is comprised of three divisions and 11 offices, including the Division of Aging Services, the Division of Child Support Services, and the Division of Family and Children Services.
Division of Family and Children Services
The Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) investigates reports of child abuse; finds foster and adoptive homes for abused and neglected children; issues SNAP, Medicaid, TANF and child care assistance to low-income families; helps out-of-work parents get back on their feet; and provides numerous support services and innovative programs to help families in need.
Georgia Gateway is the home of Georgia's eligibility determination system for a number of social benefit programs. The Georgia Gateway website serves as a single point of entry for a wide range of programs. If you have trouble while using Georgia Gateway, please call the Online Services hotline at 877-423-4746. If you have a hearing impairment, call Georgia Relay at 800-255-0135. Services are free.
Participating agencies with Georgia Gateway include:
Guide to Services
If you have been laid off and are in need of assistance with food, health care or other types of social services, see this guide.
Division of Aging Services
The Georgia Department of Human Services Division of Aging Services manages a vibrant statewide system to help older Georgians and adults with disabilities live longer, live safely, and live well. Contact the department at: 1-866-55AGING or 1-866-552-4464
As part of the national aging network, the Division of Aging Services, Georgia’s 12 Area Agencies on Aging, and local service providers collaborate to...
- Make aging services convenient, flexible, targeted, and affordable;
- Help families and leaders create age-friendly communities; and
- Give people tools to form caring circles around family, friends, and neighbors.
Division of Child Support Services
The Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) helps children by enforcing parental responsibility to pay financial support.
All Georgia families have access to DCSS services, which include assistance with locating non-custodial parents, confirming paternity, establishing and enforcing child support and medical support orders, and collecting and distributing payments. DCSS also provides the Georgia Fatherhood Services Network and the Access and Visitation Program, both devoted to increasing non-custodial parent involvement in a child’s life.
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Division of Family and Children Services
The Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) is the part of DHS that investigates child abuse; finds foster homes for abused and neglected children; helps low income, out-of-work parents get back on their feet; assists with childcare costs for low income parents who are working or in job training; and provides numerous support services and innovative programs to help troubled families.