Low-income individuals and families who cannot afford health care coverage may be eligible for Medicaid. Each state sets specific requirements for eligibility. If you are a Georgia resident who meets the criteria, visit your local Department of Families and Children Services in person or online to apply. In addition to completing an application, you will need to provide proof of citizenship, identity and income.
Eligibility
Georgia Medicaid is open to children under 18, parents or guardians of children, pregnant women, elderly, disabled or blind. Medicaid also provides nursing home care and hospice, if deemed necessary. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients and medically-needy individuals can also receive coverage. A medically-needy person will fall into one of the eligibility categories, but does not meet the income requirements unless medical bills are subtracted.
Income
The Georgia Medicaid program sets income guidelines based on household size. Applicants must earn below a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). All sources of income, both earned and unearned, are counted. Earned income includes wages from employment. Unearned income includes Social Security or child support payments. Elderly, disabled or blind must receive $317 or less per month. Anyone currently Medicare-covered is limited to $923 monthly. If applying for nursing home care or hospice, a senior is restricted to $2,022 monthly. For a household of three, a family cannot exceed $424 monthly. Pregnant women and infants are allowed up to 200 percent of the FPL, which is $1,805 monthly.
Resources
Countable assets are limited. A homestead-exempt home, vehicle and personal possessions are not counted. Seniors, disabled or blind, medically needy, pregnant women and children can have $2,000 in assets. Two people can have $4,000. Add an extra $100 per household member. SSI recipients and applicants for nursing home or hospice care are allowed $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples.
Documents
You will need to provide a valid Social Security number and birth certificates for all household members, proof citizenship or qualified alien status and documents to support your earnings. Pay stubs, an award letter or written statement from the source are sufficient.
Tags: disabled blind, Georgia Medicaid, nursing home, care hospice, home care
