Atlanta Emergency Aid Ministry

Family Housing Ministry

Women's Community Kitchen

Children's Ministry

Atlanta Emergency Aid Ministry Policies on Food, Rent/Utilities,
and Transportation Assistance

We limit all modes of assistance to people living in zip codes 30306, 30307, 30308, 30309, and 30312, and anyone with proof of HIV+ status.

Food
Because of the great number of food requests and the limited resources of AEAM, people requesting food assistance must provide a written referral to substantiate need for each request (see exceptions). AEAM can provide food up to four times per year, and no more than once per month. We accept referrals from the following agencies:

• Food Stamp Office, verifying that a person has applied for food stamps or has had stamps delayed or has had assistance cut off.
• Health Care Facility, explaining a person’s health problem(s).
• Former Employer, stating the date and the reason for loss of job.
• Shelter or Transitional House, verifying that person is a resident and does not receive meals there.
• Alcohol/Drug Treatment Facility, verifying that the person is currently in treatment.
• Red Cross, if emergency is due to natural disaster (such as house fire).
• Churches, verifying the person’s need and that he/she lives within zip code range.
• Other Social Service Agencies, verifying the person’s needs and that he/she lives within zip code area.

Referrals should also indicate the number of people to be supplied with food. If a referral does not have that information, the number of persons should be confirmed with the person who wrote the referral or by the client through identification cards, Social Security cards, etc.

Exceptions:
Food can be given to senior citizens and those suffering from a chronic or life threatening illness once a month, based on need as stated in a referral from a doctor, social worker, or other appropriate agency.

While we ask for referrals, there are some necessary and understandable exceptions.

At his/her discretion, the AEAM Coordinator can provide small bags of snacks to people without referrals.

Rent/Utilities:
Assistance with rent and/or utilities is limited to once every six months. Assistance is limited to $50 per request and must be made out to the agency to whom the person owes money. While we can make exceptions in an emergency for senior citizens and persons with medical conditions, we should not become a consistent housing subsidy for them; better they find permanent assistance and a stable living situation with another agency. We provide assistance primarily for people in month-to-month leases, but will also consider giving assistance to people living in rooming houses or other short-term rental situations in special circumstances.

Persons requesting assistance with rent and/or utilities must provide documentation of their situation. This may be a past due notice, a receipt for payment, a letter from a landlord, etc. All such correspondence should be on company letterhead, to avoid a friend or relative posing as a landlord for the client.

Persons must also have proof that they have either the ability to pay the remainder of the debt themselves or a commitment from another agency to do so, particularly if the assistance is to be applied to rent.

If the client is not able to pay the remaining debt immediately, the AEAM coordinator may commit to “reserve” assistance money for the person for two weeks. If at the end of that time the client either does not return for the check or is unable to pay the rest of the debt, the coordinator may use the allocated money to assist another client.

Utility companies will occasionally agree to postpone cancellation of service if a portion of the bill can be paid, but the client should have proof of that agreement prior to receiving funds.

MARTA Cards:
Money for MARTA cards is limited to once every six months, and is restricted to those who are starting a new job or are searching for work. Persons requesting MARTA cards must provide appropriate documentation of their situation. Once again, we can make exceptions, but because of limited resources, we should avoid becoming the means for day-to-day transportation. The standard amount is $12, which buys a one-week card. Checks should be made out to MARTA.