Georgia Benefits Support — Your Guide to Government Assistance

You Deserve Answers — Not More Confusion.

Georgia Benefits Support helps families navigate SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, and Georgia waiver programs with personalized, plain-language guidance written specifically for your situation.

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Benefits navigator helping a family understand their options

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Not sure where to begin? Start with your situation.

Tell me what's going on with your family member's benefits — I'll review it personally and send back a written response with guidance, resources, and clear next steps. No phone tag. No generic answers.

Complete the Intake Form

How it works

Complete the intake form

Share details about your family member, their current benefits, and what you're trying to figure out.

I review your situation

I personally research the programs, rules, and resources that apply to your specific case.

You receive a tailored response

A written response with guidance and next steps — specific to your family, within a few business days.

What we offer

Support at Every Step

Benefits Navigation Reviews

A one-on-one session to review your current benefits, identify gaps, and map out next steps — so you know exactly where you stand and what to do next.

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Support Calls

Scheduled phone or video calls to answer your questions, troubleshoot issues, and provide real-time guidance as you navigate the benefits system.

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Workshops

Group workshops for parents and professionals covering SSI, SSDI, Medicaid waivers, and more — practical, clear, and designed for real families.

Who we serve

Built for Georgia Families

Whether you're a parent navigating the system for the first time, a caregiver managing complex benefits, or a professional supporting families in your community — we're here to help. We specialize in making the complicated feel manageable.

Programs we cover:

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Medicaid & Katie Beckett
NOW & COMP Waiver Programs
GAPP & Other Georgia Waivers
Transition Planning for Young Adults

Programs we navigate

Every Program, Explained Clearly

From first application to annual renewal, here's what you need to know about each program — and how we can help.

SSI SSDI Medicaid NOW / COMP Katie Beckett GAPP Transition Planning

SSI

Supplemental Security Income

Monthly cash for people with limited income and resources

Who it's for

Adults and children with disabilities, or adults 65+, who have limited income and resources — regardless of work history.

Key benefits

Up to $943/month (2024 federal rate)
Automatic Medicaid eligibility in Georgia
No work history required
Available from birth through adulthood

Eligibility snapshot

Must have a qualifying disability or be 65+, with countable resources under $2,000 (individual) or $3,000 (couple), and limited monthly income.

Steps to apply

1Gather ID, medical records, and financial documents
2Apply online at ssa.gov or visit your local SSA office
3Complete the SSA interview (in-person or by phone)
4Respond to any requests from Georgia DDS for medical review
5Receive decision — appeal within 60 days if denied

Required documents

Birth certificate or proof of age
Social Security card
Medical records and doctor contact info
Bank statements (last 3 months)
Proof of living situation

Typical timeline

3–6 months for an initial decision; 12–24 months if you need to appeal.

Start Your Intake Read the full guide

SSDI

Social Security Disability Insurance

Disability insurance based on your work history

Who it's for

Adults who have worked and paid Social Security taxes, and now have a disability that prevents substantial work.

Key benefits

Benefit based on your earnings record
Medicare coverage after 24 months
Can receive alongside SSI if benefit is low
Ticket to Work program for gradual return to employment

Eligibility snapshot

Must have enough work credits (typically 40, with 20 earned in the last 10 years), a qualifying disability, and be earning below the SGA threshold ($1,550/month in 2024).

Steps to apply

1Confirm you have enough work credits at ssa.gov/myaccount
2Apply online, by phone (1-800-772-1213), or in person
3Georgia DDS conducts the medical review
45-month waiting period before benefits begin
5Medicare begins 24 months after your entitlement date

Required documents

Work history (last 15 years)
Medical records and treatment history
Names and contact info for all doctors
W-2s or tax returns
Social Security card and birth certificate

Typical timeline

3–6 months initial; up to 2 years with appeals. Compassionate Allowances can speed up certain diagnoses.

Start Your Intake Read the full guide

Medicaid

Georgia Medicaid

Health coverage for low-income individuals and families

Who it's for

Low-income children, pregnant women, adults with disabilities, and seniors — eligibility varies by category. Georgia has not fully expanded Medicaid under the ACA.

Key benefits

Comprehensive health coverage including doctor visits and prescriptions
PeachCare for Kids (CHIP) for children
Automatic enrollment for most SSI recipients
Katie Beckett option for children with complex needs

Eligibility snapshot

Eligibility depends on your category (aged/blind/disabled, children, pregnant women). Income limits vary. Apply through Georgia Gateway or DFCS.

Steps to apply

1Identify your eligibility category (child, adult with disability, etc.)
2Apply at gateway.ga.gov or your local DFCS office
3Submit income, household, and medical documentation
4Choose a managed care plan if approved
5Renew annually — watch for renewal notices

Required documents

Proof of Georgia residency
Proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, benefit award letters)
Social Security numbers for all household members
Proof of citizenship or immigration status
Medical documentation (for disability categories)

Typical timeline

30–45 days for most applications; faster for children and pregnant women.

Start Your Intake Read the full guide

NOW / COMP

NOW & COMP Waivers

Home and community-based services for adults with IDD

Who it's for

Adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) who are Medicaid-eligible and need support to live in the community rather than an institution.

Key benefits

Residential and day support services
Supported employment and community access
Respite care for family caregivers
Self-direction option to manage your own supports

Eligibility snapshot

Must have an IDD diagnosis, be Medicaid-eligible, and meet an institutional level of care. Administered by DBHDD. Waitlist is often 5–10+ years — apply early.

Steps to apply

1Contact DBHDD or a Support Coordinator to request an evaluation
2Complete the level-of-care assessment
3Get placed on the NOW or COMP waitlist
4Work with a Support Coordinator while waiting
5When a slot opens, complete the person-centered plan

Required documents

IDD diagnosis documentation
Medicaid eligibility confirmation
Level-of-care assessment results
Person-centered support plan
Support Coordinator assignment letter

Typical timeline

Waitlist can be 5–10+ years. Get on the list as early as possible — ideally in childhood.

Start Your Intake Read the full guide

Katie Beckett

Katie Beckett Medicaid (TEFRA)

Medicaid for children with complex needs, regardless of parent income

Who it's for

Children under 19 with significant medical needs who would otherwise be ineligible for Medicaid because of their parents' income.

Key benefits

Only the child's income and resources are counted
Covers children who need institutional-level care but can safely live at home
Comprehensive Medicaid coverage
Allows families to keep children at home instead of in facilities

Eligibility snapshot

Child must be under 19, require an institutional level of care, be safe to serve at home, and have limited resources in their own name. Parents' income is not counted.

Steps to apply

1Request a Katie Beckett application through DFCS or DCH
2Complete the medical necessity review with your child's doctors
3Submit documentation of the child's care needs
4DFCS determines financial eligibility using only the child's income
5If approved, choose a Medicaid managed care plan

Required documents

Child's medical records and care plan
Documentation of institutional level of care
Child's Social Security number
Proof of Georgia residency
Any existing insurance information

Typical timeline

45–90 days depending on the complexity of the medical review.

Start Your Intake Read the full guide

GAPP

Georgia Pediatric Program

Home health services for medically complex children

Who it's for

Children under 21 who are medically complex, Medicaid-eligible, and can safely receive care at home instead of in a hospital or facility.

Key benefits

Private duty nursing in the home
Personal care and therapy services
Durable medical equipment and supplies
Coordination through a GAPP nurse coordinator

Eligibility snapshot

Must be under 21, Medicaid-eligible, medically complex (requiring nursing-level care), and safe to be served at home. Administered by DCH.

Steps to apply

1Confirm Medicaid eligibility first
2Ask your child's doctor or hospital discharge planner about GAPP
3Submit a referral to DCH through DFCS
4Complete the medical necessity review
5Work with your assigned GAPP nurse coordinator to set up services

Required documents

Medicaid ID
Physician orders and medical records
Nursing assessment
Proof of Georgia residency
Prior authorization requests for specific services

Typical timeline

4–8 weeks from referral to service start, depending on medical review complexity.

Start Your Intake Read the full guide

Transition Planning

Transition Planning for Young Adults

Preparing your child for adult services before age 22

Who it's for

Families of young people with disabilities, starting at age 14, who need to plan for the shift from school-based services to adult programs.

Key benefits

IEP transition goals starting at age 14
SSI application at 17 years 9 months
DBHDD waitlist — start early
Georgia ABLE accounts for tax-free savings

Eligibility snapshot

Transition planning is IDEA-mandated in Georgia IEPs starting at age 14. SSI redetermination happens at 18 using adult criteria. DBHDD waitlist and guardianship decisions should be addressed before age 18.

Steps to apply

1Request transition goals in the IEP at age 14
2Contact DBHDD to get on the NOW/COMP waitlist (do not wait)
3Apply for SSI at 17 years 9 months
4Research guardianship vs. supported decision-making before age 18
5Connect with Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation (GVR) by age 16

Required documents

Current IEP with transition goals
Medical and disability documentation
Birth certificate and Social Security card
Guardianship or SDM paperwork (if applicable)
DBHDD waitlist confirmation

Typical timeline

Start at age 14. Key deadlines at 16, 17y9m, and 18. School services end at 22.

Start Your Intake Read the full guide

Not sure which program applies to your family?

Start Your Intake — I'll Help You Figure It Out

Why Families Choose Us

Personalized Guidance

Every family's situation is different. We tailor our support to your specific needs, goals, and circumstances.

Plain-Language Explanations

No jargon, no confusion. We translate complex benefit rules into clear, actionable steps you can actually use.

Georgia Families Served

We know Georgia's programs inside and out — from state waivers to local resources — because we work here every day.

Ready to get answers written for your family?

Complete the intake form and I'll send back a personalized response — guidance, resources, and next steps specific to your situation.

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