Georgia Client Assistance Program

06/01/2026

📚 Did you know that regular reading during the summer can help students maintain and strengthen important literacy skills while school is out?

Georgia's public libraries invite readers of all ages to participate in the 2026 Summer Reading Program: Unearth a Story. Through books, activities, and community events, students can continue building vocabulary, reading comprehension, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning.

Benefits of summer reading include:
✅ Preventing summer learning loss
✅ Strengthening reading and comprehension skills
✅ Expanding vocabulary and knowledge
✅ Encouraging creativity and imagination

This year's dinosaur and archaeology-themed program offers opportunities to explore new stories, discover new interests, and earn prizes for reaching reading goals.

Contact your local library for schedules and registration information.

05/29/2026

Did you know? The Georgia Dream Homeownership Program helps make homeownership more accessible by offering:
✔️ Affordable financing options
✔️ Down payment assistance
✔️ Closing cost assistance
✔️ Homebuyer education

Special down payment loan options are available for:
🇺🇸 Active military members
👮 Public protectors
📚 Educators
🏥 Healthcare providers
♿ Residents with family members living with a disability

Learn more at: https://georgia.gov/apply-georgia-dream-homeownership-program

The Georgia Dream Homeownership Program provides affordable mortgage financing for eligible homebuyers.

05/28/2026

Looking for accessible ways to stay active & improve your health? 💪♿The University of Alabama at Birmingham has developed an innovative online exercise platform for people with disabilities called Fit With Us.
It offers:
🎥 Recorded exercise videos
👥 Group live exercise classes
🧑‍💻 One-on-one live exercise training

To participate, you must:
✅ Live with a permanent physical disability that limits mobility
✅ Be at least 18 years old
✅Have access to a computer or smartphone
✅Have internet access

Participants will receive:
📱 A six-month telehealth program
⌚ A physical activity tracker like a FitBit
💵 Compensation for completing the study

Participants may also receive:
🏋️ Access to exercise trainers
🩺 Access to health coaches
📚 Educational materials

Apply at: https://fitwithus.org



{Top image: a young African American female manual wheelchair user wearing athleisure; Bottom image: a middle-age Caucasian man wearing a gray polo and headset seated at a table in front of a laptop extending his arms in front of him.}

05/27/2026

The Center for the Visually Impaired will host “Living with Vision Loss: How to Continue Doing the Things You Love” on June 1st at 10:30AM.
📍 Location: 29 Hospital Rd, Newnan, GA 30263

This event will provide valuable info about:
✔️ Low vision resources
✔️ Support services
✔️ Maintaining independence
✔️ Strategies for improving quality of life while living with vision loss

Whether you are experiencing vision changes yourself or supporting a loved one, this event offers helpful tools & community resources.



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05/26/2026

📣 Georgia Legal Services Program will host a free estate planning seminar on June 25th at 10AM at the Heard County Senior Center (202 Steve Lipford Drive, Franklin, GA 30217). This informative event will cover important topics including:
✔️ Wills
✔️ Powers of Attorney
✔️ Estate planning basics
✔️ Other important legal planning tools

For more information, contact:
📞 Eric A. Von Hacke — 404-563-7703
📧 [email protected]



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05/25/2026

Our office is closed today in observance of Memorial Day.

05/22/2026

Join Choose Work! on May 27th at 3PM for a WISE webinar on "Ticket to Work - Support on Your Employment Journey". Register at: https://choosework.ssa.gov/wise/

Attend a free Work Incentive Seminar Event (WISE) online webinar to learn about the Ticket to Work program or Work Incentives.

05/21/2026

Did you know? The Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE) allows many students receiving SSI to work & earn income without reducing their monthly SSI benefits — up to certain limits. This work incentive helps eligible students:
✅ Gain job experience
✅ Build financial independence
✅ Explore career interests
✅ Continue receiving important benefits while working

To qualify, a person must generally:
📚 Be under age 22
📚 Regularly attend school or a training program
📚 Receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

SEIE can be a powerful tool for students with disabilities who want to work while pursuing their education & future goals. https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/spotlights/spot-student-earned-income.htm

The student earned income exclusion allows a child under the age of 22 and regularly attending school to exclude earnings from income.

05/20/2026

Under federal vocational rehabilitation law, clients have the right to informed choice when selecting employment outcomes, services, & providers. While agencies may apply reasonable cost and procurement policies, GVRA cannot deny support for a program solely because an institution is not yet in the vendor system — without first:
✔️ Attempting vendorization, or
✔️ Considering whether the program uniquely meets the client’s disability-related needs and employment goals

Informed choice is a key protection designed to help individuals access services that best support their path to meaningful employment and independence. Understanding your rights can make a difference in advocating for appropriate VR services.



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05/19/2026

Looking for an empowering summer experience for youth with physical disabilities? Camp Phoenix will take place June 14th–19th in Rutledge, GA. This exciting opportunity allows campers to build confidence, independence, friendships, & leadership skills through adaptive sports/recreational activities.

More info at: https://blazesports.org/event/camp-phoenix/

Join us for Camp Phoenix 2026, where kids with physical disabilities thrive through adaptive sports and friendship.