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.

• 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.