Assisted Living in Georgia

Georgia's Medicaid program for people who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled. It pays for doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, and other medical services. It does not pay assisted living rent, but you need it to get the Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program or SOURCE, which can pay for your care in a personal care home.

The limits below apply to people who need nursing home care or waiver services. If you get SSI, you get Medicaid automatically.

If you are married and your spouse stays at home, your spouse can keep up to $162,660 in savings and up to $4,066.50 a month in income when you get nursing home care or waiver services.

A Medicaid program for people who would otherwise need a nursing home. It was called the Community Care Services Program (CCSP), and many people still use that name. Through Alternative Living Services, it can pay for your care in a licensed personal care home that takes the waiver. It can also pay for adult day health, home-delivered meals, personal care at home, and respite for family caregivers.

It does not pay room and board. You pay that to the home from your own income. Each month you keep $994, the SSI benefit amount, for your living costs. Depending on your income, you may also owe a monthly cost share toward your waiver services.

The program has a set budget, so the number of people it serves is limited. There is often a waiting list. A phone screening checks how urgently you need care, and that affects your place on the list.

A second Medicaid program under Georgia's Elderly and Disabled Waiver. SOURCE links your primary medical care with long-term care services in your home or community. Like the Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program, it can pay for Alternative Living Services in a personal care home, along with personal care at home, adult day health, home-delivered meals, and 24-hour medical access. It does not pay room and board.

SOURCE is run by local providers and is offered only in some parts of the state.

The federal health insurance program for people 65 and older. Part A covers hospital stays and a short period of skilled nursing care after a hospital stay. Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, and medical equipment. Medicare does not pay for assisted living rent or for help with daily tasks like bathing and dressing. In 2026, Part B costs $202.90 a month with a $283 yearly deductible, and the Part A hospital deductible is $1,736.

Plans sold by private insurers that replace Original Medicare. They must cover everything Original Medicare covers, and many add drug, dental, vision, or hearing coverage. Plans, costs, and doctor networks vary by county.

Drug plans that add prescription coverage to Original Medicare. Each plan has its own list of covered drugs and its own premium. Most Medicare Advantage plans already include drug coverage.

A federal program, also called the Part D Low-Income Subsidy, that pays most Part D premiums, deductibles, and drug copays. People who get Medicaid, SSI, or a Medicare Savings Program qualify automatically.

Georgia Medicaid programs that pay Medicare costs for people with limited income. Anyone in QMB, SLMB, or QI-1 also qualifies for Extra Help.

Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) pays Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance. Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) and Qualifying Individual (QI-1) pay the Part B premium. Qualified Disabled and Working Individual (QDWI) pays the Part A premium for people under 65 who lost premium-free Part A after going back to work.

Monthly income for retired workers, based on what you earned during your working years. You can spend it on anything, including assisted living. You need at least 40 work credits, which is about 10 years of work. Benefits can start at 62, and the monthly check is larger if you wait until full retirement age or later.

A monthly federal payment for people who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled and have very little income and savings. Getting SSI usually qualifies you for Medicaid as well.