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What is Medicaid?
Medicaid is a jointly funded, Federal-State health insurance program for low-income and needy people. It covers children, the aged, blind, and/or disabled and other people who are eligible to receive federally assisted income maintenance payments. Thirty-five states and the District of Columbia provide Medicaid eligibility to people eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI ) benefits. In these States, the SSI application is also the Medicaid application. Medicaid eligibility starts the same month as SSI eligibility.
What happens to Medicaid coverage if a SSI recipient works?
If a recipient`s State provides Medicaid to people on SSI, the recipient will continue to be eligible for Medicaid. Please refer to the general Work Incentives section for more information about SSI work incentives. Medicaid coverage can continue even it a recipient`s earnings along with other income become too high for a SSI cash payment.
How does a recipient qualify?
To qualify a recipient must:
Have been eligible for an SSI cash payment for at least one month;
Still be disabled;
Still meet all other eligibility rules, including the resources test;
Need Medicaid in order to work; and
Have gross earned income that is insufficient to replace SSI, Medicaid, and any publicly funded attendant care. (Refer to Red Book for the "threshold amount" section.)
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (formerly HCFA) oversees State administration of Medicaid - http://www.cms.hhs.gov.
Apply for Medicaid: https://medicaid.georgia.gov/how-apply
Even though you may be able to provide insurance for your child through an employer, it is beneficial to have Medicaid as a secondary insurance.
Apply for SSI: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/ssi/start.html
Eligibility of SSI before the age of 18 is determined by parent’s income in addition to the student’s disability and needs. SSI provides a list of diagnosis/disabilities they accept. If denied, apply for Katie Becket.
Need help completing application and paperwork for SSI? The Bobby Dodd Institute (non-profit organization) can assist you. Sheila Carter is a Social Security Counselor at the Bobby Dodd Institute, and she knows what the Social Security Administration is looking for in each section of the application. Here is the contact information: 678.365.0071 located at 2120 Marietta Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318.
Understanding SSI- Living Arrangements (If your young adult is over the age of 18, and you do not want deductions taken from your SSI amount, charge rent and living expenses or you will get a "In-Kind Support & Maintenance" deduction.) - Email Anna.Maki@bobbydodd.org for a rental agreement you can complete with your young adult. If you have full guardianship, your adult child can still sign the rental agreement. Reach out to the Bobby Dodd Institute for more information and assistance. Read more about understanding SSI and Living Arrangements here -
NOW/COMP Waiver- Over 7,000 people are on the waiting list for the NOW/COMP waiver in the state of Georgia. You need this waiver if you want services from organizations like Happy Hour, Kay Center, Halo Group, Waves Autism Center, etc. or you will have to self-pay at an approximate rate of $50-100 (or more) per day for things like post-secondary job training, job placement, day center support, and/or residential care. Having the NOW/COMP waiver will assist with this. Apply TODAY! The more severe the need the faster you maybe approved. Make sure you highlight and report ALL the things you (or your child/young adult) cannot do when filling out the application. This waiver is based on need. The greater the need, the faster the approval. You do not want to highlight your/their strengths. Be persistent, continue to follow up with DBHDD once they have aged-out of school based services. There is a shortage of service providers, so once you have been approved, you may continue to wait for services based on the available community resources.
Now Comp Waiver- https://georgia.gov/apply-new-option-waiver-program-now-and-comprehensive-support-waiver-program-comp
Now and Comp are for eligible people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who require supports after graduation. NOW offers services and support to enable individuals to remain living on their own or in their family home and participate in the community. COMP serves individuals with more intensive needs, primarily those with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who require residential care.
The Arc (Macon, Ga.)- https://thearcmacon.org/about/mission/
Mission- The Arc Macon continues to support adults with developmental disabilities through residential living options, supported employment and meaningful activities. The purpose of The Arc is to provide adults with developmental disabilities the life skills and an environment to live as independently as possible. Currently we provide the over 70 individuals we serve with living amenities in one of our 15 residential homes or apartments, access to jobs in local businesses, and meaningful activities. Tia Pike: Outreach Coordinator, her sole job is to help families apply for the NOW/COMP waiver free of charge. Please contact her to assist you with applying for this waiver- 478.550.6878, tpike@thearcmacon.org.
DBHDD is the state governing agencies for the NOW/COMP waiver. Click here to view the provider manual - DBHDD Provider Manual and community provider manuals - DBHDD Community Provider Manuals .
Understanding the Waiver Crisis in Georgia -
View the Final Report on the Senate Study Committee on People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Waiver Plan Access
Study Committee People with Disabilities FinalReport11.14.22.pdfThe NOW/COMP Medicaid Waiver provides services to assist individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in accessing the community and living independently. Georgia has several Medicaid Waiver programs based on the presented needs, including the Georgia Pediatric Program (GAPP), Community Care Services Program (CCSP), Independent Care Waiver Program (ICWP), and the Disabled and Elderly Waiver. The New Options Waiver (NOW) and the Comprehensive Waiver (COMP) are managed by DBHDD, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. Individuals should apply for the NOW/COMP waiver at the same time that they apply for Family Support Services (no earlier than age 3). While services are geared more towards adults, Family Support Services may be prioritized based on whether the individual is on the planning list, so better to apply as soon as possible. The application itself is fairly straightforward, but there is an accompanying list of documents that should be submitted, the most significant of which is the psychological evaluation. Depending on age and other factors, individuals may not have all of the requested documentation (like Social Security award and guardianship), but the application must include proof of identity and citizenship. The NOW/COMP Medicaid Waiver provides services, while the (Katie Beckett) Deeming Waiver provides children under the age of 18 with access to Medicaid in situations in which the parental income exceeds SSI eligibility requirements. The Deeming Waiver’s access to Medicaid is critically important for individuals who are frequently hospitalized or who require significant levels of therapy.
The NOW/COMP Medicaid Waiver provides services to assist individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in accessing the community and living independently. Georgia has several Medicaid Waiver programs based on the presented needs, including the Georgia Pediatric Program (GAPP), Community Care Services Program (CCSP), Independent Care Waiver Program (ICWP), and the Disabled and Elderly Waiver. The New Options Waiver (NOW) and the Comprehensive Waiver (COMP) are managed by DBHDD, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. Individuals should apply for the NOW/COMP waiver at the same time that they apply for Family Support Services (no earlier than age 3). While services are geared more towards adults, Family Support Services may be prioritized based on whether the individual is on the planning list, so better to apply as soon as possible. The application itself is fairly straightforward, but there is an accompanying list of documents that should be submitted, the most significant of which is the psychological evaluation. Depending on age and other factors, individuals may not have all of the requested documentation (like Social Security award and guardianship), but the application must include proof of identity and citizenship. The NOW/COMP Medicaid Waiver provides services, while the (Katie Beckett) Deeming Waiver provides children under the age of 18 with access to Medicaid in situations in which the parental income exceeds SSI eligibility requirements. The Deeming Waiver’s access to Medicaid is critically important for individuals who are frequently hospitalized or who require significant levels of therapy.
Click Here to Apply for Family Support Services- DBHDD
Medicaid and Waivers.pdfParent Flyer for Medicaid Waiver.pdfNOW COMP Waiver.pptxHome & Community Sevices- Guide to Medicaid Waiver Programs in Georgia.pdfGRANTS FOR WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VANS IN GEORGIA
What is an ABLE Account?
An ABLE account is a Section 529A tax-free savings account owned by a person who has a qualifying disability with an onset before age 26 and:
• Receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and/or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits or
• Does not receive SSI or SSDI benefits but has a disability certification from a licensed physician (MD or DO) that indicates a qualifying physical/mental disability or blindness.
• Contributions to the account can be made by any person with post-tax dollars.
• An ABLE account will largely not affect eligibility for SSI, Medicaid and other public benefits. This may be crucial to many individuals in the transition phase or awaiting services.
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