AUGUSTA, GA –­­­ Richmond County Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) staff are again able to take walk-in customers following a fire that destroyed the county office at 520 Fenwick St. this week.

Beginning Friday, DFCS staff will accept applications and verification documents for economic assistance programs and as conduct in-person interviews to determine applicants’ eligibility from a temporary site at Augusta Technical College.

Staff are available in Building 400 of Augusta Technical College (3200 Augusta Tech Dr., Augusta, GA 30906) to accept paper applications for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or food stamps), Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS)  programs

Child Protective Services staff will also be housed at the temporary location.

The original DFCS office located at 520 Fenwick Street, will be closed indefinitely due to extensive structural damage caused by an overnight fire on June 12. However, Richmond County residents can continue to pick up and drop off applications for benefits at the original office location.

In addition to the temporary location, applications and verification documents can be picked up or left in a locked drop box at 520 Fenwick St. Applications and verification documents can also be mailed to Richmond County DFCS, P.O. Box 2277, Augusta, GA 30903.

To report instances of child abuse or neglect, please call the DFCS CPS Intake Communication Center at 1-855-GA-CHILD (1-855-422-4453). Those wishing to speak with Richmond County Staff may call 706-721-3000 and leave a detailed message, which will be returned within 24 hours. 

Ongoing updates will be posted at www.dfcs.ga.gov.