Georgia Medicaid home care help
Last checked: May 18, 2026
Georgia Medicaid waiver programs may help an older adult, adult with a disability, person with an intellectual or developmental disability, or medically fragile child get care at home or in the community instead of an institution.
This guide explains where to start, what to ask for, what services may help family caregivers, and what to do if there is a waitlist or denial.
Quick answer
In Georgia, the main Medicaid home and community-based services path for many older adults and adults with physical disabilities is the Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program, which includes CCSP and SOURCE. Georgia also has the ICWP for some adults with severe physical disabilities or traumatic brain injury, NOW and COMP for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, and GAPP for medically fragile children.
Many waiver programs have limited slots. A family should start with the right Georgia entry point, ask for a waiver screening, keep copies of all notices, and ask how to appeal if the answer is no.
Start here
- If the person is 65 or older, or an adult with a disability who may need nursing home level care: call Georgia’s Aging and Disability Resource Connection through the Area Agency on Aging at 1-866-552-4464. Ask for an EDWP, CCSP, or SOURCE screening.
- If the person has an intellectual or developmental disability: apply through DBHDD’s I/DD application path for NOW or COMP, or call the DBHDD regional field office for help.
- If the person does not already have Medicaid: apply through Georgia Gateway or DFCS, and also ask the waiver office what Medicaid category is needed for long-term care.
Rules can change. Counties, health plans, waiver contractors, and agencies may use different names. Confirm the current route with Georgia Medicaid, Georgia DHS Division of Aging Services, DBHDD, or the local Area Agency on Aging before you make a care decision.
Main programs and where to start
| Program or route | Who it may help | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program, often seen as CCSP or SOURCE | Older adults and some adults with disabilities who meet Medicaid rules and need nursing home level care, but want care at home or in the community | Call the Area Agency on Aging / ADRC at 1-866-552-4464 and ask for an EDWP, CCSP, or SOURCE screening |
| ICWP | Some adults who apply between ages 21 and 64 and have severe physical disabilities or traumatic brain injury | Contact Alliant Georgia Medical Care Foundation, also called GMCF, using the numbers listed on Georgia Medicaid’s waiver page |
| NOW and COMP | People with intellectual or developmental disabilities | Apply through DBHDD’s I/DD application process, Individual IDD Connects, or call the DBHDD regional field office |
| GAPP | Medically fragile children with skilled nursing or personal care needs | Contact a GAPP provider agency directly, as Georgia Medicaid directs |
| Non-Medicaid caregiver help through the aging network | Family caregivers who need respite, adult day services, support groups, or information, even if waiver help is delayed | Call the local Area Agency on Aging and ask about caregiver programs and respite |
What an HCBS waiver is
HCBS means home and community-based services. A Medicaid HCBS waiver is a way for Medicaid to pay for some long-term care services outside an institution.
In plain English, a waiver may help pay for care at home, in an adult day setting, in some community living settings, or in a caregiver’s home. It is often for people who would otherwise need a nursing home, hospital level care, or another institutional level of care.
A waiver is not the same as regular doctor coverage. It has extra rules. The person usually must meet Medicaid financial rules, meet medical or care-need rules, and qualify for the specific waiver group.
Waivers can also have waiting lists because states have a limited number of funded slots. That is why it is important to ask for a screening and get on the right list as soon as the need is serious.
For a broader guide, see Medicaid HCBS Waivers Explained.
Main waivers in Georgia
EDWP, CCSP, and SOURCE
The Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program is the main Georgia waiver route many families hear about for older adults and adults with disabilities. Georgia.gov says this program was formerly called the Community Care Services Program, or CCSP. Georgia Medicaid also lists CCSP and SOURCE under the Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program.
This route may help people who are eligible for Medicaid, meet nursing home level of care, and choose home or community care instead of a nursing home. Georgia says the program may provide adult day care, alternative living services, personal care, home-delivered meals, and respite care for family caregivers.
Start with the Area Agency on Aging / ADRC. The state says the screening asks about the situation and helps determine need and urgency.
ICWP
The Independent Care Waiver Program, or ICWP, is for a limited number of adults who apply between ages 21 and 64. Georgia Medicaid says eligibility is based on nursing facility or hospital level of care for adults with severe physical disabilities or traumatic brain injury.
Services may include personal support, home health services, specialized medical equipment and supplies, counseling, emergency response systems, and home modifications.
Start with the ICWP contact listed by Georgia Medicaid. Ask for the current ICWP intake route and what medical records are needed.
NOW and COMP
NOW and COMP serve people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. DBHDD handles daily operations for these waivers through regional field offices.
DBHDD says NOW and COMP may include home and community services for people with an intellectual disability or a closely related developmental disability, such as autism, cerebral palsy, or epilepsy, when it substantially impairs intellectual or adaptive functioning.
DBHDD says people found pre-eligible are placed on the I/DD Planning List while they wait for waiver funding. The regional office may refer families to state-funded or community support while they wait.
GAPP
The Georgia Pediatric Program, or GAPP, serves medically fragile children with multiple system diagnoses. Georgia Medicaid says services are provided in homes and communities and can include nursing services and personal care support services that help with activities of daily living.
For GAPP, Georgia Medicaid tells families to contact a GAPP provider agency directly.
Services that may help caregivers
Services depend on the waiver, the person’s assessed need, the care plan, and available funding. Do not assume a service is covered until the waiver case manager or agency confirms it in writing.
Common Georgia waiver service types listed by Georgia Medicaid and Georgia.gov include:
- Personal support or personal care: help with bathing, dressing, meals, hygiene, light housekeeping, and daily tasks.
- Adult day care or adult day health: daytime supervision, meals, activities, and sometimes health support in a group setting.
- Respite care: short-term relief for a family caregiver. This may be in the home or in another approved setting.
- Home health services: nursing, aide services, and therapies when approved.
- Emergency response systems: in-home alert systems for people who may be alone at times.
- Home modifications: changes such as bathroom or access changes when allowed by the waiver and care plan.
- Transportation: rides or travel support may be available in some programs, especially NOW and COMP self-direction service lists.
- Meals or home-delivered services: some EDWP services may include meals and related home supports.
- Caregiver support: caregiver training, respite, and support services may also be available through the aging network outside a waiver.
For respite basics, see Respite Care for Caregivers. To estimate care needs before a screening, use the Care Cost Calculator.
Can family caregivers be paid through a waiver?
Sometimes, but not in every case.
Georgia has more than one route that families may ask about. Some families hear about consumer direction, participant direction, or Structured Family Caregiving. These terms do not all mean the same thing, and they may not be open to every waiver member.
For NOW and COMP, DBHDD says participant direction lets some waiver members who live in their own home or a family home self-direct certain services. DBHDD also says a family hire exception exists for participant direction, but it is approved on a very limited, case-by-case basis and has strict restrictions.
For EDWP, CCSP, or SOURCE, ask the Area Agency on Aging, the waiver case manager, or the enrolled provider about the current options for consumer-directed personal support services and Structured Family Caregiving. Ask whether the family member can be hired, whether the caregiver must live in the home, whether spouses or legal guardians are excluded, what training is required, and who issues payment.
Do not rely on ads that promise a set hourly rate. Georgia’s public pages do not give one simple family caregiver pay rate for all waiver cases. The amount, if any, depends on the waiver, the approved service, the provider, the care plan, and tax rules.
Start with Can I Get Paid to Be a Caregiver? or the paid caregiver quiz if you are not sure which payment path fits. If payment starts, ask about taxes and records. Also see Caregiver Tax Deductions.
Questions to ask before you count on payment
- Is family caregiver payment allowed under this exact waiver and service?
- Can the caregiver be a spouse, adult child, sibling, parent, or legal guardian?
- Does the caregiver need to live with the person?
- Who hires the caregiver: the Medicaid member, a provider agency, or a fiscal agent?
- Is there a background check, registry check, training, time sheet, or visit check-in rule?
- Will payment be wages, a stipend, or something else?
- Will this affect SSI, Medicaid eligibility, SNAP, taxes, or housing help?
Waitlists and priority
Georgia warns that EDWP services often have a waitlist and that availability may vary by capacity and need. The state says the Area Agency on Aging screening helps determine eligibility and urgency of need, which affects placement on the waiting list.
For NOW and COMP, DBHDD calls its waiting system the I/DD Planning List. DBHDD says people who are pre-eligible are placed on the list while waiting for waiver funding. DBHDD also says priority is based on need, including health and safety and the caregiver and support system.
ICWP also has limited slots. If the person’s condition gets worse while waiting, report the change and ask for the screening or needs tool to be updated. Do not assume the agency already knows about a hospital stay, fall, wandering, caregiver illness, eviction risk, or loss of a helper.
Important Georgia warning
Being on a waitlist does not mean the person is approved for every service. It also does not mean the family will be paid. Keep all letters. Ask what list the person is on, what date they were added, what priority level was assigned, and how to report a change in need.
How to apply
Step 1: Choose the right first call
If the person is older or physically disabled and may need nursing home level care, call the Area Agency on Aging / ADRC at 1-866-552-4464. Say you are asking about EDWP, CCSP, or SOURCE.
If the person has an intellectual or developmental disability, use DBHDD’s I/DD application process. Ask about NOW, COMP, the planning list, and state-funded supports while waiting.
If the person is an adult with a severe physical disability or traumatic brain injury and applied between ages 21 and 64, ask Georgia Medicaid or Alliant GMCF about ICWP.
If the person is a medically fragile child, ask a GAPP provider agency about GAPP.
Step 2: Apply for Medicaid if needed
Waiver services are Medicaid-funded. If the person does not already have Medicaid, apply through Georgia Gateway or DFCS. Georgia DFCS lists Form 94A and Form 297 as Medicaid application routes and says help and interpreters are free.
Long-term care Medicaid may use different income and asset rules than basic health coverage. Ask the waiver office which Medicaid category the person needs. If income is too high, ask whether any medical expense or long-term care rule may apply. Read more at Medicaid Spend Down and Medicaid Look-Back Period.
Documents to gather
- Photo ID, Social Security number, and proof of citizenship or lawful status
- Medicaid card, Medicare card, and health plan cards
- Proof of income, such as Social Security, pension, wages, or VA benefits
- Bank statements, life insurance information, property records, and other asset records
- Doctor notes, hospital discharge papers, diagnoses, medication list, and therapy notes
- Proof of falls, wandering, unsafe cooking, missed medicine, pressure sores, or caregiver burnout
- Power of attorney, guardianship papers, or written permission to speak for the person
- Current care schedule, unpaid caregiver hours, and any paid care bills
- School IEP, psychological evaluation, or DD records for NOW or COMP
Phone script
“Hi, I am caring for my [mother/father/spouse/relative]. They live in Georgia and need help with bathing, dressing, meals, medicine reminders, and staying safe at home. I want to ask for a Medicaid waiver screening for home and community-based services. Can you tell me if this should be EDWP, CCSP, SOURCE, ICWP, NOW, COMP, or GAPP, and what I need to apply?”
Step 3: Ask for the decision in writing
After each call, write down the date, time, name of the person you spoke with, and what they said. Ask for written notice if the person is denied, placed on a waitlist, or told they do not qualify.
Use Phone Scripts and Caregiver Checklists to keep the call organized.
If denied or waitlisted
A no is not always the end. First, find out what kind of no it was.
- Medicaid denial: The person may not meet financial, residency, citizenship, or category rules. Read the notice and ask DFCS how to appeal.
- Level-of-care denial: The agency may say the person does not meet nursing home, hospital, or waiver level of care. Ask what medical proof was missing.
- Service denial: The person may qualify for the waiver but not for a specific service or number of hours. Ask for the rule used and how to appeal.
- Waitlist: The person may be screened but waiting for funding. Ask how to update urgent changes.
DFCS says people may request a fair hearing and, in some benefit closure cases, may ask to keep benefits while the hearing is pending if the request is made within the stated time frame. Your notice should give the appeal steps and deadline. Follow the notice, and do not wait if the deadline is close.
If the person is on a waitlist, ask for other help while waiting. The Area Agency on Aging may know about caregiver respite, adult day services, meals, legal help, or local support. DBHDD regional offices may refer people on the I/DD Planning List to state-funded or community support while they wait.
If the person is a veteran or surviving spouse, also check VA Aid and Attendance. VA benefits are separate from Georgia Medicaid, but they may help some families pay for care.
What often goes wrong
- The family applies only for regular Medicaid and never asks for a waiver screening.
- The caregiver says “home care” but does not name EDWP, CCSP, SOURCE, ICWP, NOW, COMP, or GAPP.
- The family does not report a new fall, hospital stay, unsafe behavior, or loss of caregiver help.
- The family trusts an ad that promises payment before the waiver office confirms the rule.
- The denial letter is set aside until the appeal deadline has passed.
Resumen en español
En Georgia, algunas exenciones de Medicaid pueden pagar servicios en el hogar o en la comunidad para personas que de otra manera podrían necesitar cuidado en una institución.
Para una persona mayor o un adulto con discapacidad, llame al Area Agency on Aging / ADRC al 1-866-552-4464 y pida una evaluación para EDWP, CCSP o SOURCE. Para discapacidad intelectual o del desarrollo, pregunte a DBHDD por NOW o COMP. Pida siempre la decisión por escrito.
FAQ
Does Georgia have Medicaid waivers for home care?
Yes. Georgia lists several Medicaid waiver programs that help people live at home or in the community instead of an institution. The right program depends on age, disability type, medical need, and Medicaid eligibility.
Is CCSP the same as EDWP?
Georgia.gov says the Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program was formerly called the Community Care Services Program, or CCSP. Georgia Medicaid also lists CCSP and SOURCE under the Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program. Because names can vary, ask the Area Agency on Aging which name they use for your county.
Can my parent get paid to have me care for them?
Maybe. It depends on the waiver, the service, the care plan, and caregiver rules. Ask about consumer direction, participant direction, and Structured Family Caregiving. Do not assume payment is allowed until the agency confirms it for your case.
What if my loved one is put on a waitlist?
Ask what list they are on, what date they were added, how priority is set, and how to report urgent changes. Also ask about respite, adult day care, meals, and other local help while waiting.
Who should I call first?
For many older adults and adults with disabilities, start with Georgia’s Area Agency on Aging / ADRC at 1-866-552-4464. For intellectual or developmental disability services, start with DBHDD’s I/DD application process or the regional field office.
About this guide
This guide was written for family caregivers who need a clear first step. It uses official Georgia and federal sources first. Program names, waitlists, forms, and contact routes can change, so confirm details with the agency before you rely on them.
Disclaimer
This is general information, not legal, tax, medical, or financial advice. For legal or tax questions, talk with a qualified professional in your state.
Official sources used
- Georgia Medicaid: Waiver Programs
- Georgia Department of Community Health: Home and Community Based Services
- Georgia Department of Community Health: Community-Based Services
- Georgia.gov: Apply for Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program
- Georgia DHS Division of Aging Services: ADRC Find Local Assistance
- Georgia DHS Division of Aging Services: Caregiver Programs
- Georgia DFCS: How Do I Apply for Medicaid?
- Georgia Medicaid: Customer Service
- Georgia Medicaid: Contacts FAQs
- Georgia DFCS: FAQ
- Georgia DBHDD: Apply for DD Services
- Georgia DBHDD: DD Planning Lists
- Georgia DBHDD: Participant-Direction
- Georgia DBHDD: DD Provider FAQs
- Medicaid.gov: Home & Community-Based Services 1915(c)
