EDWP Guide
Respite Care in Atlanta for Families on Medicaid
Georgia Medicaid can pay for respite care in Atlanta through EDWP, at home or overnight in an approved facility. Here is who qualifies and how to start.
Families on Georgia Medicaid can get respite care in Atlanta through EDWP, Georgia's Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program. Respite gives the person who usually provides care a short, planned break. EDWP can send an aide to the home, or arrange an overnight stay in an approved facility.
Respite is not a separate program you apply for. It is one service inside EDWP. A care coordinator adds it to your loved one's care plan, along with any other help they need.
This guide explains what Medicaid respite looks like in metro Atlanta, who qualifies, and how to ask for it.
Respite care in Atlanta at a glance
- What it is: temporary relief for the family member who normally gives care
- Who pays: Georgia Medicaid, through the Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program (CCSP and SOURCE)
- Two forms: in-home respite from an aide, or out-of-home respite in an approved facility
- Overnight care: allowed for out-of-home respite
- Who decides how much: the care coordinator, through the care plan
- Where to start in metro Atlanta: Empowerline at 404-463-3333
- Medicare: covers respite only inside the hospice benefit
Who qualifies for Medicaid respite care in Georgia?
Respite through Medicaid is for people enrolled in EDWP. The person who receives care must qualify for the waiver. The family caregiver does not need to qualify for anything.
Georgia's EDWP provider manual and the DCH EDWP fact sheet set out the basic rules. Your loved one must:
- Be an older adult, or an adult with a physical disability that limits daily life
- Meet the nursing home level of care, confirmed during the assessment
- Have Georgia Medicaid, or be likely to qualify after a financial screening
- Choose to receive care at home or in the community instead of a nursing home
- Not be enrolled in another Georgia Medicaid waiver
Respite also needs a usual caregiver. The state defines it as relief for the person "normally providing care." If no family member or friend gives regular care, other EDWP services may fit better.
What kinds of respite care does EDWP cover?
EDWP covers two kinds of respite. The right one depends on how long you need to be away and what your loved one needs while you are gone.
| Question | In-home respite | Out-of-home respite |
|---|---|---|
| Where does care happen? | In your loved one's own home | In an approved facility, such as a personal care home or adult day health center |
| Who gives the care? | A trained aide from an EDWP provider | Staff at the approved facility |
| Can it be overnight? | Ask the care coordinator | Yes, overnight stays are allowed |
| Supervision | One-on-one with the aide | Round-the-clock supervision |
| Can suit | A few hours to rest, work or run errands | A trip, a medical procedure or a family emergency |
Georgia's CCSP fact sheet lists in-home respite under Personal Support Services. That means the same kind of aide who helps with bathing and meals can also cover your break.
What does a respite aide do?
A respite aide steps into your role for the time you are away. They help with the daily tasks written into your loved one's care plan. Ask the care coordinator to list the tasks you usually handle, so the aide can cover them.
The aide follows the care plan. They do not provide skilled nursing. Georgia's case management manual treats respite as a non-skilled service.
Who decides how much respite care you get?
Your loved one's care coordinator decides, together with your loved one or their representative. The DCH fact sheet says the care coordinator and the member "collaborate to determine which services" to provide.
The care coordinator then authorizes the care plan. A physician approves the plan of care. Providers may deliver only the services the care plan lists.
The sources we reviewed do not set one fixed amount of respite for everyone. The amount depends on your loved one's needs and the caregiver's situation. If your situation changes, ask for a care plan review.
How do you get respite care in Atlanta through Medicaid?
The process starts with your local Area Agency on Aging. In metro Atlanta, that is the Atlanta Regional Commission, which runs the Empowerline phone line. Georgia's Division of Aging Services lists Empowerline as the contact for Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale counties.
Call Empowerline
Call 404-463-3333 in metro Atlanta, or 866-552-4464 statewide. Ask for an EDWP screening and mention that you need respite.
Complete the screening
A staff member asks about your loved one's health, daily needs and finances. Georgia.gov notes that EDWP often has a waitlist.
Have the assessment
An assessor meets your loved one in person. This confirms the level of care and what help is needed.
Build the care plan
The care coordinator and your family agree on services. Ask for respite to be written into the plan.
Choose a provider
Georgia refers members to enrolled providers based on member choice and availability. You can ask for a specific agency or facility.
What to have ready before you call
- Your loved one's Medicaid card, or proof of income and assets if they are not on Medicaid yet
- A list of diagnoses, medicines and doctors
- Notes on the help they need each day, and at night
- When you most need a break, and for how long
- Any upcoming dates you must be away, such as surgery or travel
Does Medicare pay for respite care?
Only in hospice. Medicare's hospice benefit covers inpatient respite care, which it describes as short-term care to give caregivers a rest. The Medicare hospice booklet says respite is given in a Medicare-approved facility, such as a hospice inpatient unit, hospital or nursing home. It is available only on an occasional basis.
Outside hospice, Medicare does not pay for respite. For most Atlanta families, Medicaid through EDWP is the main public payer for ongoing respite.
What if your loved one is not on Medicaid yet?
You still have places to turn while you wait for Medicaid or a waiver slot. The Atlanta Regional Commission offers respite vouchers so caregivers can tend to their own needs. Its Empowerline respite page explains that public respite funds are limited and are prioritized by a caregiver stress score.
Empowerline also describes respite as a short-term break, not a permanent care solution. If your loved one needs daily hands-on help, ask about the full EDWP care plan at the same time.
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 EDWP members across metro Atlanta, including in-home personal support that can cover respite.
If your loved one is already on EDWP, ask the care coordinator to list A1-GA as the provider. If you are just starting, we can explain the steps and what to say when you call Empowerline. Learn more about our EDWP services, or check your eligibility online.
- 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
- Free eligibility check: start the form or see our eligibility page
If you want to learn how EDWP's two paths differ, read our guide to CCSP in Georgia.
Frequently asked questions
Does Georgia Medicaid pay for respite care?
Yes, for people enrolled in EDWP, Georgia's Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program. EDWP lists both in-home respite and out-of-home overnight respite as covered services. Respite must be part of the care plan that the care coordinator authorizes.
Can respite care be provided at home in Georgia?
Yes. Under EDWP, in-home respite is provided by an aide in your loved one's home. Georgia's CCSP fact sheet lists in-home respite as part of Personal Support Services.
Can Medicaid respite include an overnight stay?
Yes. EDWP covers out-of-home respite in an approved facility, such as a personal care home or an adult day health center. Georgia's provider manual says this respite may include overnight care, and the DCH fact sheet describes round-the-clock supervision.
Who decides how much respite care my parent can get?
The care coordinator decides, working with your parent or their representative. Respite is listed on the care plan, and providers deliver only what the plan authorizes. If your needs change, ask the care coordinator to review the plan.
Does Medicare pay for respite care outside of hospice?
No. Medicare covers inpatient respite care only as part of its hospice benefit, and only on an occasional basis. For respite outside hospice, families usually look to Medicaid waivers, their Area Agency on Aging or private pay.
How do I start respite care in metro Atlanta?
Call Empowerline, the Atlanta Regional Commission's aging and disability line, at 404-463-3333. Outside the Atlanta region, call Georgia's statewide Area Agency on Aging number, 866-552-4464. A staff member will screen your loved one for EDWP and other options.
Sources
- Georgia DCH: Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program fact sheet
- Georgia DCH: Community Care Services Program (CCSP) fact sheet
- Georgia Medicaid: EDWP CCSP and SOURCE General Services provider manual, July 2026
- Georgia Medicaid: EDWP CCSP and SOURCE Case Management provider manual, July 2026
- Georgia.gov: Apply for Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program
- Georgia Division of Aging Services: Atlanta Regional Area Agency on Aging
- Atlanta Regional Commission: Aging Services and Resources
- Empowerline: Respite Care
- Medicare.gov: Hospice Care Coverage
- Medicare.gov: Medicare Hospice Benefits booklet
This article is for education only. It is not legal, medical or financial advice. Speak to a qualified professional about your situation before you act.
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