*This link will provide a reference number to ensure that your referral was received, and it will be distributed to the appropriate Area Agency on Aging by the DHS Division of Aging Services.
Eligibility Criteria
Individuals or family members interested in the Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program (EDWP), also known as Community Care Services Program or CCSP, should be aware of the following eligibility information:
- EDWP is a Medicaid waiver program. As such, it is subject to estate recovery guidelines. Expenses incurred by Medicaid for any service provided in a long-term care facility or in the home, when provided as an alternative to institutionalization, will be subject to estate recovery. These services include nursing facility services, personal care services, home and community-based services, hospital services and prescription drug services. The heirs may seek a hardship waiver from estate recovery if recovery of assets will show, through clear and convincing evidence, that such action subjects them to undue hardship. For more information, you can contact Georgia’s Medicaid Estate Recovery office at (770) 916-0328 or GaEstateRecovery@dch.ga.gov
- For individuals whose gross income is above the current SSI limits ($914/month), there may be a cost share for services. The estimated cost share can be calculated by subtracting $914 from the gross monthly income (example: SSA income is $1,114 per month; after subtracting $914, the estimated monthly cost share for EDWP services would be $200). Gross income includes all income sources, such as Social Security, Pension Benefits, Annuity Payments, employment income, royalties, etc… Some adjustments may be made to reduce cost share, including “spousal diversion” for individuals who are married and only one of the couple is participating in a Medicaid program.
- There is a current individual monthly income cap for eligibility of $2,742 for all sources of income combined. Individuals with a higher income should contact an attorney regarding a Qualified Income Trust if interested in receiving EDWP services.
- Asset or resource limits apply. Resources are generally limited to $2,000 for an individual. This includes stocks, bonds, savings accounts, certificates of deposit, second homeplace, second automobile, property not connected to the primary homeplace, etc…
- There is a five-year lookback period for transfer of assets. Individuals who have transferred assets or property to another individual in the last five years may be subject to a period of disqualification for Medicaid waiver programs. This period of disqualification is based upon the value of the transfer and the date upon which the transfer occurred. You may still be eligible for services even if you have recently transferred assets to someone else.
- Program participants must meet a nursing home level of care. This does not mean that applicants must currently reside in a nursing home. It simply means that the applicant’s need for care must be consistent with those who are eligible to receive Medicaid care in a nursing home.
Structured Family Caregiver (pay for a family caregiver) under EDWP
Many individuals are interested in EDWP/CCSP because they have heard that they can either pay a family member to provide their care or that they can get paid to provide care for a family member. Please note the that following requirements apply to participation under this program:
- The family caregiver must reside in the same home with the individual receiving care. Living next door or across down does not meet the eligibility criteria.
- The family caregiver is not allowed to have any other means of employment. Individuals who receive a caregiver stipend for structed family caregiver services are not allowed to have any other means of employment either in the home or outside the home, including owning/operating their own business or teleworking for another employer.
- A spouse, legal guardian, parent of a minor child or conservator is not eligible to be the structured family caregiver. Additionally, the structured family caregiver must be at least 18 years of age and must pass a criminal background check.
- Family caregivers under Structured Family Caregiver must provide a minimum of five (5) hours of care daily. Notes must be uploaded electronically each day regarding tasks completed and any changes in the client’s health status. Additionally, the caregiver must work with the agency’s Health Coach at least monthly regarding the client’s care.
- Individuals receiving Structured Family Caregiver are not eligible for the following services under the EDWP program:
- Personal Support Services or Extended Personal Support Services from another provider
- Home Delivered Meals
- Structured Family Caregiver on days when the participant is in a hospital, nursing facility, or other institution.
Service Area
If you or a family member is interested in EDWP and the participant lives in one of the following counties: Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Rockdale.
Please contact the Atlanta region’s Area Agency on Aging at (404) 463-3333 to begin the application process.
For services in other areas of the state, please find the appropriate contact information for that region.
Provider Referrals
If you are a provider wishing to make a referral on an individual in the Atlanta region, please review the above information with them and then have them contact the Area Agency on Aging directly at (404) 463-3333. Area Agency on Aging staff will not respond to third-party inquiries about the status of a referral. Providers may follow-up with the client or family regarding status updates.
If you would like to submit a referral rather than having the individual or family member contact the Area Agency on Aging, please submit the referral online.
