Georgia currently has four waivers or programs that are open to children. Georgia has a TEFRA program and three HCBS 1915(c) Medicaid waivers. All programs waive parent income. For an overview of the programs, see this waiver program page, this page from Community Health, or view this guide.

Georgia’s GAPP program previously functioned as a waiver to provide medical daycare services in addition to in-home nursing. This program now only provides in-home nursing through the regular Medicaid state plan for children under 21. It can be accessed by families already in Medicaid or via the TEFRA/Katie Beckett program.

Georgia Advocacy Organizations:

Last updated 9/5/23

Programs in Georgia

  • Target Population: Children who would otherwise require care in an institution with any type of disability, including medical, developmental, intellectual, or psychiatric conditions.
  • Ages: 0-18
  • Levels of Care: Intermediate Care Facility, Nursing Facility, Hospital
  • Income Waiver: Yes, the program is based on the child’s income only. Parent income is not counted.
  • Program Type: TEFRA
  • Spots: unlimited
  • Expiration Date: NA
  • Description: Provides Medicaid coverage only. In-home nursing and personal care services are provided through the GAPP program.
  • Online State Information: TEFRA/Katie Beckett Page
  • How to Apply: Call 678-248-7449 or follow the instructions on this page.
  • Waiting List: none
  • Advocacy/Support Group: Georgia Katie Beckett Medicaid Deeming Waiver Support

Also called SOURCE Waiver or Service Options Using Resources in a Community Environment

  • Target Population: Children and adults with physical or other medical disabilities. Includes both the SOURCE program and the Community Care Services Program.
  • Ages: all ages
  • Levels of Care: Nursing Facility
  • Income Waiver: Yes, the waiver is based on the child’s income only. Parent income is not counted.
  • Waiver Type: 1915(c)
  • Spots: 63,743
  • Expiration Date: 11/8/2027
  • Description from medicaid.gov: Provides adult day health, case management, out-of-home respite, personal support services/personal support extended/consumer directed personal support services, occupational therapy in adult day health care, physical therapy in adult day health care, speech therapy in adult day health care, alternative living services, assistive technology, emergency response services, financial management services, home delivered meals, home delivered services, skilled nurses services, structured family caregiving, transition community integration services, transition coordination (month 1-6), transition coordination (month 7-12), transition coordination (pre-discharge), and transition services and supports to individuals ages 65 or older and individuals with physical disabilities ages 0-64 years who meet a nursing facility level of care.
  • Online State Information: SOURCE Program and Community Care Services Program. See also this Guide for general information.
  • Official Federal Information
  • How to Apply: Call 866-552-4464 or contact your local Georgia Aging office.
  • Waiting List: Georgia has 7356 individuals with developmental disabilities and 466 with physical disabilities on its waiting list.

Also called NOW Program

  • Target Population: Children and adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities.
  • Ages: all ages
  • Levels of Care: Intermediate Care Facility
  • Income Waiver: Yes, the waiver is based on the child’s income only. Parent income is not counted.
  • Waiver Type: 1915(c)
  • Spots: 6643
  • Expiration Date: 11/8/2027
  • Description from medicaid.gov: Provides community living support – basic, community living support – extended, prevocational services, adult dental services, adult occupational therapy services, adult physical therapy services, adult speech and language therapy services, nutrition services, specialized medical equipment, specialized medical supplies, community guide, financial support services, assistive technology, behavioral supports services – level I and level II, community access, environmental accessibility adaptation, individual directed goods and services, intensive support coordination, interpreter services, natural support training, respite – in home – 15 minute, respite – out of home – 15 minute, respite – out of home – daily, skilled nursing services, support coordination, supported employment services, transition community integration services, transition services and support, transportation, and vehicle adaptation services to individuals with intellectual disabilities or developmental disabilities ages 0 or older who meet an ICF/IID level of care.
  • Online State Information: New Options Waiver
  • Official Federal Information
  • How to Apply: Contact the Department of Community Health or DBHDD.
  • Waiting List: Georgia has 7356 individuals with developmental disabilities and 466 with physical disabilities on its waiting list.

Also called COMP Waiver

  • Target Population: Children and adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities.
  • Ages: 5+
  • Levels of Care: Intermediate Care Facility
  • Income Waiver: Yes, the waiver is based on the child’s income only. Parent income is not counted.
  • Waiver Type: 1915(c)
  • Spots: 10,289
  • Expiration Date: 3/31/2026
  • Description from medicaid.gov: Provides community access, community living support – basic, community living support – extended services, prevocational services, support coordination, supported employment, nutrition services, specialized medical equipment, specialized medical supplies, financial support services, additional staffing – basic, additional staffing – enhanced, adult dental, adult occupational therapy services, adult physical therapy services, adult speech and language therapy services, nursing services, assistive technology, behavioral support services- level I and level II, community residential alternative, environmental accessibility adaptation, individual directed goods and services, intensive support coordination, interpreter services, respite- out-of-home daily, respite-15 minute out-of-home, respite services-15 minute in-home, transition community integration services, transition services and supports, transportation, and vehicle adaptation services to individuals with intellectual disabilities or developmental disabilities ages 5 or older who meet an ICF/IID level of care.
  • Online State Information: COMP Waiver
  • Official Federal Information
  • How to Apply: Contact the Department of Community Health or DBHDD.
  • Waiting List: Georgia has 7356 individuals with developmental disabilities and 466 with physical disabilities on its waiting list.

Additional Information

  • We have reports that Georgia is considering continuing its pandemic flexibilities to allow paid parent caregivers of minors in the New Options and Comprehensive Supports waivers. We will post information when it becomes available.
  • The pandemic provisions for the GAPP program have been extended as of 11/15/2024 through an amendment to Georgia’s Healthy Babies 1115 Demonstration Program. See this document. “The state will provide payment for PCS rendered by an LRI, which could be inclusive of legally responsible family caregivers, for beneficiaries eligible to receive 1905(a) personal care services through the Georgia requirements. The requested LRI must meet all qualifications to become a direct care worker to provide PCS as authorized in the Medicaid state plan, including abiding by all oversight requirements from the hiring agency and DCH. All PCS must be deemed medically necessary and reviewed through the standing prior authorization process. Beneficiaries must require medically necessary nursing care and/ or PCS to be considered for GAPP.”