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Who Qualifies for Home Health Care Financial Assistance in Georgia?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
Written by:
Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.
Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers
Seniors ages 65 years and older and people with disabilities may qualify for home health care financial assistance in Georgia through the Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program. Since this program is funded by Medicaid, income limits apply, but the goal of the waiver is to allow seniors to receive care in their own homes rather than in a nursing facility.
How To Qualify for the Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program
Georgia seniors ages 65 and older and people with disabilities must first enroll in Medicaid if they wish to qualify for the Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal aliens. They will have to prove that they have physical limitations that prohibit them from fully caring for themselves and show that they intend to live and receive care at home. Home can either be a private residence or a community that does not offer the required care services.
Medicaid also sets income restrictions for participants. Single people cannot make more than $30,276 in annual income or hold more than $2,000 in assets. In a two-person household, income cannot exceed $60,552 per year. In this case, the applicant cannot hold more than $3,000 in assets, but the second household member may hold up to $137,400 in assets.
How To Enroll in the Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program
When Medicaid enrollment is complete, seniors must apply for Georgia’s Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program. A doctor must approve the need for nursing home care and sign off on a care plan. An in-home assessment is also required so that a program representative can determine the necessary level of care.
When the process is complete, seniors work with a care coordinator or nurse to create a personalized care plan. Your chosen caregiver is also involved in the process. Care services may include assistance with daily living activities, housekeeping, health monitoring, nursing care, home health aide services and in-home therapy. Seniors who qualify for the program may also be eligible for respite care and emergency response systems for greater peace of mind for themselves and their caregivers.