2741 Bayard St. East Point, GA 30344
Stepping Ahead II

About the Program

Many of us need financial assistance from time to time to help with rent/mortgage or utility payments. The Stepping Ahead II program provides help to those in need.
  • This program is only available to residents of the cities in South Fulton: Union City, Fairburn, Palmetto, College Park, East Point, Hapeville, City of South Fulton, and Chattahoochee Hills.
  • Please note – If you have received any type of assistance from Zion Hill CDC during the last 12 months you are NOT eligible.
  • To apply for assistance, you MUST:
      • Gather the following documents:
        • IDs of all of the adults in the household
        • Proof of ALL household income
        • Rent Assistance – Lease and Late Notice
        • Utility Assistance – Most recent utility bill(s)
        • Complete TWO online financial literacy courses and print/screenshot the completion certificates – FDIC How Money Smart Are You? – Games

    o   Once you have compiled all of your documents you can then complete our application and submit all the required documentation listed above. Link Assistance Application

  • If your application is missing any of the documents listed above your application will be denied.
  • Please understand that we receive too many requests to be able to respond to each request individually.
  • You will ONLY be contacted if you have been selected to receive assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

All South Fulton County residents – East Point, College Park, Union City, City of South Fulton, Chattahoochee Hills, Palmetto, Hapeville and Fairburn; however, you must be able to demonstrate that there is a need.

You are required to email us and submit all requested documentation.
Yes, you may be eligible to receive assistance for both rent and utilities as long as it does not exceed the maximum award amount. Example: If the award is $300, you are able to apply $200 towards rent and then use the remaining balance of $100 towards your electric bill (current charges only).
To receive assistance, you must email us at sa2@zionhillcdc.org. You will receive an automated response with the next steps.
The maximum award varies monthly and is based on available funding.
The number of people served varies from month to month based on funding provided.
Payments are made directly to the vendor after all requirements are met by the applicant. The entire process typically takes 2 weeks.
You may only receive assistance once every 12 months.
You can check the status of your application on the Neighborly Portal.
Yes, you must submit a new application. (SA2) Yes, you must submit a new application and upload the most recent late notice and/or bills

Reasons for denial:

  • You do not live in our service area
  • You received assistance within the last 12 months
  • You submitted an incomplete application
  • We have exhausted our fund for the cycle you are applying for
  • Application In Progress – Application started but not submitted
  • Application Submitted – Application submitted for review
  • Approved – Application approved, payment will be processed
  • Denied – Applicant does not qualify for the program
  • Denied – Out of Service Area
  • Denied – Incomplete Application
  • Denied – Received Assistance This Year