Georgia Caregiver Programs:Which Ones Pay Family Members?

Only a few Georgia caregiver programs pay family members: Medicaid waiver services such as Structured Family Caregiving, self-directed care under some waivers, and the VA's program for caregivers of eligible veterans. Most other caregiver programs in Georgia do not pay. They support caregivers instead, with respite, training, counseling and help finding services.

That difference matters when you are tired and short on time. This guide sorts Georgia's caregiver programs into two groups: the ones that can pay a relative, and the ones that help without paying. It also shows where to call first.

Georgia caregiver programs at a glance

• Programs that can pay a relative: Structured Family Caregiving (SFC), personal support under CCSP and SOURCE, self-directed care under ICWP, NOW and COMP, and the VA's family caregiver program
• Programs that support but do not pay: the National Family Caregiver Support Program, Area Agency on Aging respite, and kinship caregiver support
• Who runs most of them: Georgia Medicaid (DCH), the Division of Aging Services, DBHDD and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
• Most common requirement for pay: the person receiving care must be on Georgia Medicaid and enrolled in a waiver
• Who is usually excluded from pay: legally responsible relatives, such as a spouse or legal guardian
• First call for most families: Georgia's Aging and Disability Resource Connection, 866-552-4464, option 2

Who can be paid as a family caregiver in Georgia?

Each program sets its own rules. Still, most Georgia programs that pay a relative share the same core requirements. Use this list to see if your family is close.

• The person needing care has Georgia Medicaid. Most paid routes are Medicaid waiver services.
• They are enrolled in a waiver. That means EDWP (through CCSP or SOURCE), ICWP, NOW or COMP. Each waiver has its own age, disability and level-of-care rules.
• They need a high level of daily help. EDWP and ICWP serve people who would otherwise qualify for nursing home or hospital-level care.
• The caregiver is not legally responsible for them. The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities says legally responsible relatives, including spouses and legal guardians, are often excluded from pay.
• The caregiver meets the program's own rules. SFC, for example, requires the caregiver to live in the same home.

The Division of Aging Services confirms the basic point on its ADRC FAQ page. It says some Georgia programs let family members receive payment for care. It names Structured Family Caregiving through Medicaid waivers and Support Options, a non-Medicaid program.

Which Georgia caregiver programs pay family members?

"Can pay a relative" means the program allows it in some cases. It does not mean every family qualifies.

Which Medicaid programs in Georgia can pay a relative?

Structured Family Caregiving (SFC) through EDWP

SFC is the program built around a relative who already lives with the person needing care. The DCH EDWP fact sheet describes it as a service for members whose family caregiver lives in the home. The caregiver works with a health coach from an approved SFC provider.

DCH's SFC waiver notice set the service for members assessed as needing at least five hours of personal support each day. The caregiver also sends daily notes to the health coach. For the full rules, read our guide to Structured Family Caregiving in Georgia.

Personal support under CCSP and SOURCE

Personal support is EDWP's standard in-home help. It covers tasks like bathing, meals and light housekeeping. EDWP also offers a consumer-directed version. In that option, the member hires and supervises workers of their choice, and a financial management services provider runs payroll.

GCDD says family members can be paid for personal support under CCSP and SOURCE in some cases. It lists spouses, parents of minor children, legal guardians and conservators as excluded. The state fact sheet does not address relatives directly. Confirm with your loved one's care coordinator before you plan around it.

ICWP for adults with severe physical disabilities

The Independent Care Waiver Program serves Medicaid members aged 21 to 64. They must have a severe physical impairment or a traumatic brain injury, and need hospital or nursing home level of care. The ICWP fact sheet lists consumer-directed personal support, where the member hires their own worker. It does not say whether a relative can be that worker. To apply, the fact sheet directs families to Alliant Health Solutions at 888-669-7195.

NOW and COMP for intellectual and developmental disabilities

NOW and COMP are run by Georgia's Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). Under participant direction, the participant or a representative acts as the employer and chooses the staff. DBHDD's guidance says a representative who directs services cannot also be approved as the paid provider.

GCDD says participant direction often lets families hire relatives as paid support staff. The service must be authorized in the person's Individual Service Plan. Ask the support coordinator which relatives your plan allows.

GAPP for medically fragile children

The Georgia Pediatric Program serves Medicaid-enrolled children who are medically fragile. GCDD says family members, and in some cases parents, may be paid for in-home nursing or personal care. It adds that payment depends on the individual case.

Which Georgia caregiver programs help without paying?

Many families do not qualify for a paid route. Others are not ready to make caregiving a full-time job. These programs still lighten the load.

The National Family Caregiver Support Program

This federal program is run in Georgia through the Area Agencies on Aging. The Administration for Community Living says it serves adult family caregivers of people aged 60 and older, and of people of any age with Alzheimer's or a related disorder. It also serves some relatives aged 55 and older who care for children or for adults with disabilities.

It offers five kinds of help:

1. Information about available services
2. Help getting access to services
3. Counseling, support groups and caregiver training
4. Respite care
5. Limited supplemental services

Respite and caregiver support from your Area Agency on Aging

Georgia's caregiving page says every Area Agency on Aging helps caregivers. Support can include adult day care, legal help, nutrition services, telephone counseling and respite. In metro Atlanta, the Atlanta Regional Commission is the Area Agency on Aging. It offers respite vouchers and runs Empowerline, an information line at 404-463-3333.

Support for kinship caregivers

Some Georgians are raising grandchildren or other young relatives. The Division of Aging Services points them to Georgia's kinship care resources, including support groups through the regional Area Agencies on Aging.

Does Georgia have a non-Medicaid program that pays family caregivers?

Yes, in some areas. The Division of Aging Services names Support Options, a consumer-directed program that is not funded by Medicaid. Availability depends on where you live. Call the ADRC at 866-552-4464, option 2, to ask whether it serves your county.

What VA programs pay a family caregiver?

The VA runs two caregiver programs. Only one pays.

• Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC): for caregivers of veterans with a serious service-connected disability who need ongoing in-person personal care. An eligible primary family caregiver can receive a monthly stipend by direct deposit, plus training, counseling and respite.
• Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS): for caregivers of veterans who do not qualify for PCAFC. It offers support and resources, but the VA does not describe a stipend.

A veteran may also qualify for Georgia Medicaid. If so, ask about SFC as well.

Is there a Georgia tax credit for caregiving costs?

Georgia has a Qualified Caregiving Expense Credit. It does not pay family caregivers. It is for taxpayers who pay for care for a qualifying family member. That family member must be at least 62, or disabled as determined by the Social Security Administration.

The Department of Revenue says the services must come from someone not related to the taxpayer or the family member. Eligible costs include home health, personal care, adult day care and respite. Ask a tax professional whether it applies to you.

Which Georgia caregiver program should my family start with?

1. 1

   Check Medicaid

   Find out whether your loved one has Georgia Medicaid. If not, ask the ADRC how to apply through DFCS.

2. 2

   Call the ADRC

   Dial 866-552-4464 and choose option 2. Describe your loved one's age, diagnosis and daily needs.

3. 3

   Ask for the waiver screening

   For older adults and adults with physical disabilities, that is usually EDWP. Georgia.gov says urgency of need affects the place on the waitlist.

4. 4

   Say who lives in the home

   If a relative lives with your loved one and gives daily care, say so. That lets SFC be considered.

5. 5

   Ask about support now

   While you wait, ask your Area Agency on Aging about respite, training and support groups.

Not sure whether SFC fits? Our post on whether a spouse can be paid covers the rules for married couples. Our guide to how SFC pay is set explains the money side without guesswork.

How A1-GA Healthcare Agency helps

A1-GA Healthcare Agency is a Georgia DCH-approved Medicaid home care provider in Norcross. We have provided in-home care since 2008 and staffed caregivers since 2004. We serve metro Atlanta families through two programs: Structured Family Caregiving and EDWP in-home services, including personal support and respite.

If you live with a loved one and care for them every day, we can tell you whether SFC may fit. If your family needs a different program, we will say so and point you to the right office.

• Phone: 678-446-1832
• Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
• Email: info@gahac.com
• Office: 4505 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Suite K, Norcross, GA 30092
• Quick check: fill in our eligibility form or visit our eligibility page