The Georgia Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program (EDWP) is a Medicaid-funded program that provides home and community-based services to elderly and disabled individuals who are at risk of entering a nursing home. This program is designed to help those in need stay in their own homes and communities by providing the necessary support services needed to make this possible. The program offers a wide range of services, including personal care, homemaking, meal preparation, transportation, and more. Please note that most Older Americans Act services in Georgia currently have a waiting list. Individuals who meet the high priority criteria may not receive services immediately; individuals who do not meet the high priority criteria are generally expected to have a waiting time of more than 12 months.
Financial Eligibility & Requirements
What if my income is too high or I have too many assets?
Not meeting all of the criteria does not mean one is ineligible or cannot become eligible for Georgia Medicaid. Review the Medicaid Planning Strategies section below for more information on how to qualify for Medicaid Home Care / Long-Term Care.
Gross income includes all income sources, such as Social Security, Pension Benefits, Annuity Payments, employment income, royalties, etc.
Income cannot exceed $2,829 for all sources of income combined. Individuals with a higher income should contact an attorney regarding a Qualified Income Trust if interested in receiving EDWP services.
For individuals whose gross income is above the current SSI limits ($943/month), there may be a cost share for services. The estimated cost share can be calculated by subtracting $943 from the gross monthly income (example: SSA income is $1,143 per month; after subtracting $943, the estimated monthly cost share for EDWP services would be $200).
- Some adjustments may be made to reduce cost share, including “spousal diversion” for individuals who are married and only one of the couple is participating in a Medicaid program.
There is a five-year lookback period for transfer of assets. Individuals who have transferred assets or property to another individual in the last five years may be subject to a period of disqualification for Medicaid waiver programs. This period of disqualification is based upon the value of the transfer and the date upon which the transfer occurred. You may still be eligible for services even if you have recently transferred assets to someone else.
How To Apply and Get Started
Caring Hands United is a provider of home care services, including EDWP funded home care services like SOURCE, CCSP, ICWP, and the Structured Family Caregiver programs, as well as the DBHDD programs COMP and NOW. If you or your family member meet the income requirements for EDWP and have not applied for Georgia Medicaid EDWP / home care services yet, we can assist you in getting started.
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- Traditional Home Care Services: Click here to begin our eligibility screening process.
- Family Caregiver Pay Services: Click here to begin our eligibility screening process.
Medicaid Planning Strategies: How To Qualify For Medicaid Long Term Care
There are many income and asset planning techniques used to qualify for long-term care Medicaid when one is over the limit(s), for example, Irrevocable Funeral Trusts and/or Spousal Asset Transfers. There are also planning techniques available to protect one’s home from Medicaid’s Estate Recovery Program. Some of these strategies are exceedingly complex, while others are surprisingly simple.
For planning resources and information, we recommend checking out the following sites:
