- Georgia Council on Substance Abuse: Advocates for and facilitates connections between people and families with substance abuse issues.
- Addictive Diseases: This subdivision of DBHDD deals with issues related to addictive diseases.
- Georgia Association of Community Service Boards (GACSB): GACSB promotes information and actions to enhance the quality and availability of disability services in Georgia.
Georgia Addiction and Substance Use Disorder Organizations
Georgia Traumatic Brain Injury Services
- Brain Injury Association of Georgia: A non-profit dedicated to helping individuals with traumatic brain injuries and their families.
- ICWP Medicaid Waiver (Independent Care Waiver Program): Helps adult Medicaid recipients with physical disabilities, as well as people with traumatic brain injuries, to live in their own homes or communities, instead of a hospital or nursing home. To begin the application process, call the Georgia Medical Care Foundation (GMCF) at 888-669-7195.
- Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission: Assists individuals with brain and spinal injuries in achieving successful, independent living.
Georgia Low Income Housing Resources
- Georgia Housing Search: A database of housing in the state of Georgia.
- Georgia Low-Income Housing: Dedicated to helping people in need find available and affordable housing.
- Housing and Urban Development: The federal agency tasked with providing low-income people with affordable housing.
- Georgia Housing Search: A database of housing in the state of Georgia.
- Housing Choice Voucher Program: Also known as Section 8, this is a housing rental system that assists low-income individuals with safe and affordable housing in the private market.
Georgia Education and Children Disability Agencies
- Parent to Parent of Georgia: Parent to Parent of Georgia works to connect parents of children with disabilities to other parents who are in or have been in similar circumstances, to help them find community resources and get advice on various issues.
- Georgia Coalition for Equity in Education: Coalition of disability, educational, mental health, child welfare, juvenile justice, civil rights and parent and youth advocacy groups from across Georgia who joined together around our shared concerns about the Georgia Network for Educational and Therapeutic Supports (GNETS) program.
Georgia University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDS)
- University of Georgia Institute for Human Developmental & Disability (IHDD): IHDD works with people who have disabilities and others, to ensure that all people can achieve their highest capacity and quality of life.
- Georgia State Center for Leadership in Disability (CLD): CLD's "mission is to translate research into sustainable community practices that contribute to independent, self-determined, inclusive, and productive lives for people with disabilities and their families."
Physical Disabilities and Independent Living
Physical Disabilities
- SOURCE Medicaid Waiver (Service Options Using Resources in a Community Environment): A primary care management program, available to frail, elderly, and disabled Georgians. It links beneficiaries’ primary medical care with community services, allowing people to receive nursing home-level care while in their own homes or communities. For some very low-income participants, this program can also provide non-medical personal care, in addition to the normal medical services.
- CCSP Medicaid Waiver (Community Care Services Program): Provides community-based support services to eligible individuals, in place of institutional placement in a nursing home. Individuals can contact the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for an assessment. The toll-free, statewide phone number is 866-55-AGING (866-552-4464). If the individual is eligible for CCSP, a care coordinator will work with the person to develop a comprehensive care plan and arrange services.
- ICWP Medicaid Waiver (Independent Care Waiver Program): Helps adult Medicaid recipients with physical disabilities, as well as people with traumatic brain injuries, to live in their own homes or communities, instead of a hospital or nursing home. To begin the application process, call the Georgia Medical Care Foundation (GMCF) at 888-669-7195.
- Georgia Project for Assistive Technology (GPAT): GPAT is a Georgia DOE program that supports local schools in providing devices and technology to assist students with disabilities.
- Tools for Life: Tools for Life is a Georgia Tech program dedicated to providing Georgians of any age or disability with the tools and technology they need to succeed in life.
- Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia (SILC): SILC is Georgia's non-profit organization that works to remove barriers to independent living for people with disabilities and to increase necessary support services. It is a part of the National Council on Independent Living.
- Georgia Centers for Independent Living: These are the non-profit organizations that are run by people with disabilities on behalf of people with disabilities advocating for independent living.
- disABILITY LINK: disABILITY LINK is a metro Atlanta Center for Independent Living that advocates for self-determination and individual choice, aiding individuals with disabilities to live as they choose.
- Disability Connections: Disability Connections is a Center for Independent Living in middle Georgia that assists people with disabilities in finding independent living arrangements in the community.
- Access2Independence: Access 2 Independence is the Center for Independent Living for 9 counties in West Central Georgia.
- Bainbridge Advocacy Individual Network (BAIN): Southwest Georgia Center for Independent Living.
- Disability Resource Center: Northeast Georgia Center for Independent Living.
- Northwest Georgia Center for Independent Living: Center for Independent Living for Northwest Georgia.
- Living Independence for Everyone (LIFE): Center for Independent Living for Southeast Georgia.
- Multiple Choices: Center for Independent Living in Northeast Georgia.
- Walton Options for Independent Living: Center for Independent Living in East Georgia.
Georgia Crisis Services and Warm Line
- Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL): GCAL is a confidential hotline which any person can call on behalf of themselves or a loved one to seek urgent help.
- Behavioral Health Link (BHL): BHL is a 24-hour hotline ready to help with problems related to mental illness, drugs, or alcohol.
- Georgia Suicide Hotlines: Georgia has its own host of suicide prevention hotlines, available to call and talk to any time of any day.
- Georgia Crisis Response System: The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) maintains its own crisis hotline for issues related to developmental disabilities.
- Mental Health Warm Line: This warm line is for non-crises where Georgians can call if they need someone to talk with. 1-888-945-1414.
Georgia Disability State Agencies
- Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD): DBHDD supports individuals with mental health and substance abuse issues, and to assist individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Georgia Department of Community Health: Georgia's state Medicaid agency.
- Georgia Medicaid Provider Manuals
- DFCS Medicaid and other Public Benefits Manuals
- Medicaid Waivers: General information about Medicaid Waivers in Georgia from the Department of Community Health.
- Medicaid.gov (Georgia’s page)
- Georgia Gateway
- Georgia’s Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC): ADRC houses information for and connections to long-term supports and services for elderly adults and people with disabilities.
- Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS): DHS provides resources to promote self-sufficiency and independence and protect Georgia’s vulnerable children and adults.
- Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS): DFCS helps abused and neglected children, supports low-income families, and aids out-of-work parents.
- Georgia Department of Education Special Education Services and Supports: Georgia’s DOE supports schools with providing special education and related services to students with disabilities.
- Division of Aging Services (DAS): DAS is a subdivision of the Department of Human Services (DHS) that works specifically with elderly individuals.
- Office of Disability Services Ombudsman: The office promotes the rights of individuals with disabilities and works to resolve issues that adversely affect people with disabilities.
- State of Georgia ADA Coordinator’s Office: This office manages the state of Georgia’s services and support in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA): GVRA maintains five independent programs designed to help individuals with disabilities obtain gainful employment.
- Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA):State agency with authority over state and federal funded housing for much, but not all, of the state.
Georgia Developmental Disability/Intellectual Disability Agencies and Advocacy Organizations
- Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD): DBHDD supports individuals with mental health and substance abuse issues, and to assist individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD): GCDD promotes public policy in the interest of people with developmental disabilities.
- The Arc Georgia: The Arc Georgia is the state’s branch of the The Arc of the United States, and strives to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, enabling them to live and work in the community.
- All About Developmental Disabilities (AADD): AADD works to support families of and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to help them live full and meaningful lives.
- Georgia Association of Community Service Boards (GACSB): GACSB promotes information and actions to enhance the quality and availability of developmental disability and mental health services in Georgia. Community Service boards provide many of the mental health and developmental disability services in the state, although there are many other organizations that provide these services as well.
- United Cerebral Palsy: When it was founded in 1965, this organization worked to aid individuals with cerebral palsy, but now does so for a wide variety of intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Georgia Crisis Response System: The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) maintains its own crisis hotline for issues related to developmental disabilities.
Georgia Mental Health Agencies and Advocacy Organizations
- Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD): DBHDD supports individuals with mental health and substance abuse issues, and to assist individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network: This organization aids individuals with disabilities in living full and meaningful lives.
- NAMI Georgia: NAMI Georgia is a part of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and endeavors to educate people about mental illness, advocate for people with mental illness, and support funding for research into mental illness.
- Mental Health America of Georgia (MHA): Mental Health America of Georgia is the state’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated aiding individuals with mental illness.
- Georgia Association of Community Service Boards (GACSB): GACSB promotes information and actions to enhance the quality and availability of developmental disability and mental health services in Georgia. Community Service boards provide many of the mental health and developmental disability services in the state, although there are many other organizations that provide these services as well.
Resources and Advocacy for Georgia Senior Citizens
- Georgia’s Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC): ADRC houses information for and connections to long-term supports and services for elderly adults and people with disabilities.
- Division of Aging Services (DAS): DAS is a subdivision of the Department of Human Services (DHS) that works specifically with elderly individuals.
- Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs): The Division of Aging Services (DAS) maintains 12 AAAs which coordinate community-based services for elderly Georgians based on location in the state.
- Georgia Council on Aging (GCOA): GCOA works to educate and advocate for aging Georgians to improve their quality of life.
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program: These ombudsmen are advocates for elderly Georgians both in inpatient facilities and in personal care homes in the community.
Developmental Disabilities
- The Arc Georgia: The Arc Georgia is the state’s branch of the The Arc of the United States, and strives to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, enabling them to live and work in the community.
- All About Developmental Disabilities (AADD): AADD works to support families of and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to help them live full and meaningful lives.
- Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD): GCDD promotes public policy in the interest of people with developmental disabilities.
- Georgia Association of Community Service Boards (GACSB): GACSB promotes information and actions to enhance the quality and availability of developmental disability and mental health services in Georgia. Community Service boards provide many of the mental health and developmental disability services in the state, although there are many other organizations that provide these services as well.
- United Cerebral Palsy: When it was founded in 1965, this organization worked to aid individuals with cerebral palsy, but now does so for a wide variety of intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Georgia Crisis Response System: The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) maintains its own crisis hotline for issues related to developmental disabilities.
- Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD): DBHDD supports individuals with mental health and substance abuse issues, and to assist individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Legal and Protection and Advocacy Organizations
Legal Services and Protection & Advocacy Organizations
- Georgia Advocacy Office (GAO): The GAO is Georgia’s Protection & Advocacy (P&A) agency, and is part of the federally-funded P&A system and the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN). GAO is a private, non-profit corporation whose work is mandated and authorized by Congress and the State of Georgia. The office provides legal and technical assistance to people with developmental disabilities, and works with self- and community-advocates to protect the rights of Georgians with disabilities.
- Atlanta Legal Aid Society (ALAS): Atlanta Legal Aid is a non-profit law firm that provides free civil legal services to low-income individuals. ALAS has expanded from 17 volunteer attorneys at its 1917 founding to 68 staff attorneys today, and handled more than 20,000 cases last year.
- Georgia Legal Services Program (GLSP): GLSP supplies free civil legal services to Georgians who can’t afford to hire a lawyer. GLSP works on high stakes cases, like domestic violence, eviction or foreclosure, denial of benefits, and lack of access to food or healthcare.
Family Support Services -- Georgia State Funded Developmental Disability Services
Georgia offers state funded services to individuals with developmental disabilities. These services are primarily for individuals living with families. It is a small sum of money, usually no more than $3,000 per year. For more information on these services and how to apply, you can visit the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities website.
Katie Beckett Medicaid in Georgia
Katie Beckett Medicaid allows states to waive income eligibility requirements for certain children with disabilities. In other words, certain children with disabilities in Georgia can qualify even if their family income exceeds typical Medicaid requirements.
Unfortunately, Georgia has difficult eligibility guidelines for children to qualify for Katie Beckett Medicaid. The eligibility requirements can be found in the current version of the state's manual, which can be found on its provider manual website. Georgia's current information for applying for Katie Beckett Medicaid can be found on the Georgia Department of Community Health website.
If a child is denied Katie Beckett Medicaid, a family has the right to appeal the denial. A family does not have to have an attorney on such an appeal, but it will likely be more successful with an attorney.
Unfortunately, Georgia has difficult eligibility guidelines for children to qualify for Katie Beckett Medicaid. The eligibility requirements can be found in the current version of the state's manual, which can be found on its provider manual website. Georgia's current information for applying for Katie Beckett Medicaid can be found on the Georgia Department of Community Health website.
If a child is denied Katie Beckett Medicaid, a family has the right to appeal the denial. A family does not have to have an attorney on such an appeal, but it will likely be more successful with an attorney.
Medicaid Waivers
What is a Medicaid Waiver?
In Georgia, certain individuals with developmental disabilities and physical disabilities can qualify for supports through a Medicaid Waiver (also called home and community based services). Medicaid Waivers are for individuals who need long term supports and prefer to receive the services at home rather than in a nursing facility or institution for developmental disabilities.
Medicaid Waivers can provide a wide range of services, including personal supports, nursing, residential services, respite, and employment assistance (in Georgia, this is limited to individuals with developmental disabilities).
Historically, Medicaid Waivers have not been available for individuals whose sole disability is a mental illness, although the federal government has made this a little easier for states to consider.
The Good and Bad of Medicaid Waivers
There are positives and negatives to Medicaid Waivers. One positive is that a state can provide a wide range of services that can be tailored to meet the needs of individuals. Also, most of the Waivers have a participant direct option that allow participants to hire and fire their caregivers.
On the negative side, a state can limit the number of people who can receive a Medicaid Waiver. This can result in long waiting lists. Georgia currently has over 9,000 people on the waiting list for its developmental disability waivers! The state has been allowed to limit eligibility in other ways. One physical disability Waiver, ICWP, is only available to individuals who apply for it prior to age 65. Also, two of the physical disability Medicaid Waivers, CCSP and SOURCE, have a cost share that only allows individuals to keep a small amount of their income (around $735) for non-medical expenses. The rest of their income must be used to help pay for the Waiver services.
Basic Eligibility for Medicaid Waivers
The different Medicaid Waivers have different eligibility criteria. The two most important criteria, though, are (1) that the person has a low income and (2) the person has a disability significant enough to qualify the person to receive care in a nursing facility or institution for developmental disabilities.
The income limit for most Medicaid Waivers is 300% of the federal payment standard for SSI. This is approximately $2,215. Individuals whose incomes are higher than this can sometimes use a qualified income trust to qualify for a Medicaid Waiver. Unfortunately, two of the Medicaid Waivers, SOURCE and CCSP, require individuals with incomes above the SSI payment standard to contribute the income that exceeds SSI (around $735) to help pay for their Waiver services.
Georgia's Medicaid Waivers
Developmental Disabilities/Intellectual Disabilities: Georgia has two Medicaid Waivers for people with developmental disabilities: The NOW Waiver and The COMP Waiver. The NOW Waiver is mostly for individuals living with family or other non-paid caregivers who need less than 24/7 supports. The COMP Waiver is mostly for individuals who need supports 24 hours a day 7 days a week. It can also be available to people with substantial medical or behavioral needs. Because there is a waiting list with over 9,000 people for these Waivers, it is important to apply for it as soon as possible. It is also important to ensure that comprehensive assessments are completed during school years relating to IQ and adaptive functioning because these assessments will be needed when applying for the Waiver. KEEP A COPY OF ALL PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS. One can still qualify for the Waiver without these assessments but it may require substantial advocacy and additional testing. To apply for the NOW and COMP Waivers, contact the intake and evaluation team in your regional office of DBHDD.
Physical Disabilities: There are three Medicaid Waivers for people with physical disabilities. The Independent Care Waiver Program, The Community Care Services Program, and The SOURCE Medicaid Waiver. The Independent Care Waiver Program is only available to individuals who apply prior to age 65, although there is some question as to whether such limitation violates federal law. The SOURCE Waiver has traditionally been limited to individuals whose income do not exceed the federal standard for SSI (approximately $735), but that is reportedly changing. Both CCSP and SOURCE have a significant cost share as discussed above.
To apply for ICWP, contact the Georgia Medical Care Foundation (GMCF) at 678-527-3619 or 800-982-0411, ext. 3619.
To apply for SOURCE, you can apply through a SOURCE provider.
To apply for CCSP, you can apply through a local AAA office.
In Georgia, certain individuals with developmental disabilities and physical disabilities can qualify for supports through a Medicaid Waiver (also called home and community based services). Medicaid Waivers are for individuals who need long term supports and prefer to receive the services at home rather than in a nursing facility or institution for developmental disabilities.
Medicaid Waivers can provide a wide range of services, including personal supports, nursing, residential services, respite, and employment assistance (in Georgia, this is limited to individuals with developmental disabilities).
Historically, Medicaid Waivers have not been available for individuals whose sole disability is a mental illness, although the federal government has made this a little easier for states to consider.
The Good and Bad of Medicaid Waivers
There are positives and negatives to Medicaid Waivers. One positive is that a state can provide a wide range of services that can be tailored to meet the needs of individuals. Also, most of the Waivers have a participant direct option that allow participants to hire and fire their caregivers.
On the negative side, a state can limit the number of people who can receive a Medicaid Waiver. This can result in long waiting lists. Georgia currently has over 9,000 people on the waiting list for its developmental disability waivers! The state has been allowed to limit eligibility in other ways. One physical disability Waiver, ICWP, is only available to individuals who apply for it prior to age 65. Also, two of the physical disability Medicaid Waivers, CCSP and SOURCE, have a cost share that only allows individuals to keep a small amount of their income (around $735) for non-medical expenses. The rest of their income must be used to help pay for the Waiver services.
Basic Eligibility for Medicaid Waivers
The different Medicaid Waivers have different eligibility criteria. The two most important criteria, though, are (1) that the person has a low income and (2) the person has a disability significant enough to qualify the person to receive care in a nursing facility or institution for developmental disabilities.
The income limit for most Medicaid Waivers is 300% of the federal payment standard for SSI. This is approximately $2,215. Individuals whose incomes are higher than this can sometimes use a qualified income trust to qualify for a Medicaid Waiver. Unfortunately, two of the Medicaid Waivers, SOURCE and CCSP, require individuals with incomes above the SSI payment standard to contribute the income that exceeds SSI (around $735) to help pay for their Waiver services.
Georgia's Medicaid Waivers
Developmental Disabilities/Intellectual Disabilities: Georgia has two Medicaid Waivers for people with developmental disabilities: The NOW Waiver and The COMP Waiver. The NOW Waiver is mostly for individuals living with family or other non-paid caregivers who need less than 24/7 supports. The COMP Waiver is mostly for individuals who need supports 24 hours a day 7 days a week. It can also be available to people with substantial medical or behavioral needs. Because there is a waiting list with over 9,000 people for these Waivers, it is important to apply for it as soon as possible. It is also important to ensure that comprehensive assessments are completed during school years relating to IQ and adaptive functioning because these assessments will be needed when applying for the Waiver. KEEP A COPY OF ALL PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS. One can still qualify for the Waiver without these assessments but it may require substantial advocacy and additional testing. To apply for the NOW and COMP Waivers, contact the intake and evaluation team in your regional office of DBHDD.
Physical Disabilities: There are three Medicaid Waivers for people with physical disabilities. The Independent Care Waiver Program, The Community Care Services Program, and The SOURCE Medicaid Waiver. The Independent Care Waiver Program is only available to individuals who apply prior to age 65, although there is some question as to whether such limitation violates federal law. The SOURCE Waiver has traditionally been limited to individuals whose income do not exceed the federal standard for SSI (approximately $735), but that is reportedly changing. Both CCSP and SOURCE have a significant cost share as discussed above.
To apply for ICWP, contact the Georgia Medical Care Foundation (GMCF) at 678-527-3619 or 800-982-0411, ext. 3619.
To apply for SOURCE, you can apply through a SOURCE provider.
To apply for CCSP, you can apply through a local AAA office.
Moving to Georgia with a Disability
Before you move to Georgia!
Georgia is a wonderful state, but you should do your research and be prepared before you move to Georgia if you have a disability. This is especially true if you receive Medicaid funded services. Below are some of the critical issues you should consider.
Georgia is a wonderful state, but you should do your research and be prepared before you move to Georgia if you have a disability. This is especially true if you receive Medicaid funded services. Below are some of the critical issues you should consider.
- Medicaid Waivers: Georgia has long waiting lists for many of its Medicaid Waivers. The waiting list for the developmental disability waiting list is over 9,000 people. You will not be allowed to transfer your Medicaid Waiver from another state to Georgia. If you have a Medicaid Waiver in another state, you very likely will not be able to immediately obtain a waiver in Georgia.
- Medicaid: Georgia is not a Medicaid expansion state and has more limited eligibility requirements than other states. Make sure to research who is eligible for Medicaid before you move to Georgia in order to know whether or not you qualify.
- Disability Services: Medicaid and state funded disability services are different in every state. Other factors are also different such as cost share requirements (how much you have to pay out of pocket for disability services). Before you move to Georgia, you should determine what services you need and whether they will be available.
Medicaid
Medicaid is the federally funded health insurance available to certain people who qualify based on income, disability, age, and other factors. Georgia is not a Medicaid expansion state under the Affordable Care Act. This means that Medicaid is not available to all individuals who are low income.
Georgia's state Medicaid agency is the Georgia Department of Community Health. It has a Frequently Asked Questions page on Georgia Medicaid Eligibility.. You should apply if unsure if you qualify.
Rough Eligibility Criteria for Medicaid in Georgia
Apply for Georgia Medicaid at
Georgia's state Medicaid agency is the Georgia Department of Community Health. It has a Frequently Asked Questions page on Georgia Medicaid Eligibility.. You should apply if unsure if you qualify.
Rough Eligibility Criteria for Medicaid in Georgia
- Low Income and . . .
- Pregnant
- Breast or Cervical Cancer
- Age 18 or younger
- Age 65 or older
- Blind
- Have a disability
- In a Nursing Home
- Other Situations
- Adopted or Foster Care
- Receive a Medicaid Waiver (Home and Community Based Services)
- Leaving TANF
- Family with little or no income and children under 19
- Katie Beckett
Apply for Georgia Medicaid at
Introduction to Georgia Disability Information, Resources, and Advocacy
If you or a loved one have a significant disability, there is no easy way to find out all of the information and resources you may need. However, on this website, we do our best to give you the most important information and links to find out more. This site concentrates on resources available through the state of Georgia, although much of it is federally funded through Medicaid.
What you need to know will often depend on:
- the age of the person with a disability,
- the type of disability,
- and the income and resources of the person with a disability.
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