NEED HELP?
You don't have to face the storms alone.
The Ark is here with support that meets both the urgency of today and your hopes for tomorrow. Please read and apply below.
HOW THE ASSISTANCE PROCESS WORKS
Step ONE: Understanding we are a loss based agency, we will need to be able to document and verify you have had a recent and unexpected loss of income within the last two to three months. Please read "how we help" and "eligibility" information below.
Step TWO: Fill out the application below if you have had a recent and unexpected loss of income and have read the “how we help” and “eligibility” section below. In the application you will be guided to select your specific loss of income or unexpected expense, please pay attention closely to your selections as your selections will lead you to your next steps for your specific situation.
Step THREE: You will be given a list of documentation, to document your loss of income, at the end of the application. Please take a picture, screenshot, or write down this list. You will need to collect ALL documents and once you have done so, you can call us to schedule an appointment.
HOW WE HELP
Each year, The Ark provides emergency rent and utility assistance to hundreds of individuals who are experiencing a recent and unexpected loss of income. Whether you are out of work due to medical reasons, laid off from your job, or have other unforeseen but necessary expenses, we are here to provide guidance and resources, including emergency financial assistance. The Ark serves Clarke, Madison, Oconee and Oglethorpe counties.
ELIGIBILITY
The Ark may help with rent, utilities and mortgage when a recent loss of income occurred through no fault of the neighbor within the last 90 days – this typically includes job lay off, reduction in hours at work, being out of work for illness or injury and unexpected necessary expenses due to a home or car repairs, fire, flood, and/or unexpected medical expenses.
In order to receive financial assistance, eligible neighbors are required to document the loss of income.
At this time, The Ark can not assist with the following: phone/cable/internet bill, auto insurance, bills of someone not living in the home, bills in the name of a minor child, deposits for housing or utilities, shelter or hotel vouchers. Please see our resource list for agencies who may be able to meet those needs.
APPLY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Please fill out the application link below and read the instructions carefully.
Assistance is by appointment only. No walk in appointments are available at this time.
OTHER SERVICES OFFERED AT THE ARK
fOODbANK
REFERRALS
For information on obtaining a foodbank referral, please contact the Athens Area Emergency Foodbank at 706-353-8182.
For information on free financial education services, please click here:
For information on our loan program, please click here:
Community Resources
Area Resources for Rent/Utility Assistance
Action, Inc. – 248 North Avenue, 706 – 227-7969 https://actionathens.org/
DFCS – Department of Family and Children’s Services – 284 North Avenue. (706) 227-7000 https://dfcs.georgia.gov/
Ebenezer Baptist Church, West – 883 Reese Street. (706) 543-9644 https://ebcw.org/
Salvation Army – 484 Hawthorne, 543-5350 https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/georgia
St. Joseph Charities –535 Hawthorne Avenue - 706-850-7777 https://www.stjosephcharitiesathens.com/
Area Resources for Housing
Athens Area Homeless Shelter - 620 Barber Street Athens, GA 30601, (706) 354-0423 https://www.helpathenshomeless.org/
Advantage Behavioral Health Clinic- 240 Mitchell Bridge Rd, Athens, GA 30606, 706-389-6789 https://advantagebhs.org/
Athens Land Trust- 685 N Pope St, Athens, GA 30601, 706-613-0122 https://athenslandtrust.org/
Family Promise- 205 Bray St Building 100, Athens, GA 30601, 706-425-1881 https://www.familypromiseathens.org/
Project Safe- 706-425-8863 https://www.project-safe.org/
Area Resources for Food
Food Bank of Northeast Georgia- 890 Newton Bridge Rd, Athens, GA 30607, 706-354-8191 https://foodbanknega.org/
For all other Area Resources please dial 211 or visit https://www.unitedwaynega.org/impact/211-2/