State aid/housing questions...

[single_cj]

Hi!! DH & I are physically, but not legally, separated and I've been living with my parents and children for the last few months (about 1000 miles away from STBX). The job market down here (in GA) is crappy and I'm having a hard time finding work. I'm either "overqualified" for the lower income jobs or for the higher pay jobs (like what I was doing before I had kids) don't want to take a chance on a women who hasn't worked in almost 5 years (SAHM).

ANYWAY, assuming I DO find a job, I'm not anticipating making more than $20K/year to begin which would qualify me, I think, for state aid programs. The only ones I'm really interested in are child care help & housing help.

How does a housing voucher work?? The house across the street from my folks is vacant; it's 3B, 2.5B and normally rents for around $800. I know the owner, though, since I grew up across the street from her!, and she may be willing to give me a reduced rent in exchange for work done on the house. It hasn't been updated in like 50 years. Harvest gold oven & everything.

Regardless, if she's willing to rent it to me & I qualify for housing help, do I talk to HER about accepting the voucher??? Or do I have to use housing provided by the state?? And, do they pay X% of the rent based on your income??

Can you tell I'm feeling a little flustered by all this??

[*MamaJen*]

Here's some info. Good luck! I know there is typically a super long waiting list for housing assistance programs. Often the waiting lists aren't even open.
http://www.dca.state.ga.us/housing/r...vp_program.asp
ETA: Yeah, looking at the list of counties, it looks like almost none of the counties even have their wait lists open, so realistically, it would probably be years before you could get into the program. As far as child care vouchers go, I know that Texas counties don't usually have funds available for new clients, unless they're getting off of welfare.
Unfortunately, you can't pick and choose your social services. What you would need to do is go here: https://compass.ga.gov/selfservice/
and see what you might be eligible for. Realistically, you should talk to someone in the social services office. Also, are you getting child support? I would highly, highly recommend a free consult with a lawyer. Depending on the county you live in, there may be free legal clinics as well.