Kemp's Cash Payments Of Up To $350 Begin This Week

ATLANTA, GA — Payments started rolling out this week for people who benefit from three specific state programs.

One-time payments of up to $350 are becoming available for people enrolled in Georgia's Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance programs.

Medicaid recipients can be enrolled in PeachCare for Kids.

People receiving the cash assistance had to be enrolled in one of the programs by July 31.

Gov. Brian Kemp announced in August his plan to send out more than $1 billion in cash assistance to families through the Department of Human Services.

Funding for the one-time payments comes from the State Fiscal Recovery Fund, which was part of President Joe Biden's American Rescue Plan Act.

The state began sending out payments Monday via prepaid virtual Mastercards to people who have opted in the Georgia Gateway portal to get email notifications.

People who do not get e-cards will get their prepaid Mastercards mailed to them.

In an August news release, Kemp's office encouraged people to ensure their personal information and contact preferences were current and up-to-date.

Georgia Human Services informed people that payments for people who have “email and U.S. mail” marked as their contact preference will not start being sent out until the week of Sept. 26.

There are a few stipulations for using the virtual Mastercard.

Cash cannot be transferred from the Mastercard into someone's bank account.

The cards can only be used where digital cards are accepted.

They can be used for online purchasing, or in-store through Google Pay, Apple Pay or Samsung Pay, where applicable. Card numbers must be entered manually, according to the department.

The department confirmed Thursday that the funds can be put in Walmart Pay accounts.

The cards can only be used in debit transactions, not credit.

According to Human Services, recipients who wish to use their cards for an online or phone purchase may be asked for the name and address of the person whose information appears on the card. This information has to match what's listed in the Gateway portal.

"If you attempt to transfer your card to Apple Cash, Cash App or Zelle, your payment will be declined per the cardholder agreement. Your payment will also be declined if you attempt to buy a money order," Human Services said Thursday in a Facebook post.

Find more information about the program.