What Georgia offers for people with disabilities

Georgia runs several separate programs for people with disabilities, and which one you can use depends on your work history, age, and the type of support you need. The largest is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which is federal but processed through a Georgia office — it pays monthly cash if you worked long enough before becoming unable to work. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is also federal and pays people with disabilities who have little or no income and few assets, regardless of work history. Georgia also administers its own programs: Georgia Medicaid covers medical care for low-income people with disabilities, and Georgia's Home and Community-Based Services Waiver pays for in-home support and day programs so people can stay in their communities instead of moving to institutions.

Each program has its own rules about who qualifies, how much money you can have, and what it pays for. Some people use more than one at the same time. Understanding which programs exist and what each one does is the first step to finding what might work for your situation.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI is for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes before becoming unable to work; SSI is for people with disabilities who have little income or assets, regardless of work history.
  • Georgia Medicaid covers medical care for people with disabilities earning below a certain income threshold, and the income limit is higher if you are on SSI or SSDI.
  • Georgia's Home and Community-Based Services Waiver pays for in-home help, day programs, and other support so people with disabilities can live in their own homes instead of facilities.
  • The Social Security Administration office in Atlanta processes SSDI and SSI claims for Georgia residents, and processing times usually run three to six months for initial decisions.
  • You can contact Georgia's Division of Aging Services to learn about state programs, or call 211 to be connected to local disability resources in your county.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in Georgia

SSDI is a federal program run by the Social Security Administration. To use it, you must have worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes before your disability began. The amount you receive each month is based on your own earnings record, not on how much money you have now. You can work part-time and still receive SSDI as long as your earnings stay below a monthly limit (currently $1,550 per month, though this amount changes each year).

To start an SSDI claim in Georgia, you can visit a Social Security office in person, call 1-800-772-1213, or go online to ssa.gov. You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, and medical records showing your condition. The Social Security Administration will send your case to the Georgia Disability information Service, which is a state agency that decides whether you meet the medical definition of disability. This decision usually takes three to six months. If you are denied, you can appeal.

Once approved, you receive a monthly payment and become covered by Medicare after two years on SSDI. Your family members — spouse, children, or ex-spouse — may also be able to receive payments based on your work record.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in Georgia

SSI is a federal program for people with disabilities (or who are blind or over 65) with very low income and few assets. Unlike SSDI, you do not need a work history. In 2024, the federal payment is $943 per month for an individual, though Georgia adds a small state supplement. You can have no more than $2,000 in countable assets (such as cash or a car worth over $4,650), and your monthly income must be below the payment amount.

To explore for SSI in Georgia, visit a Social Security office, call 1-800-772-1213, or explore online at ssa.gov. You will need proof of identity, age, citizenship or legal residency, and medical records. Like SSDI, your case goes to the Georgia Disability information Service for a medical decision, which usually takes three to six months.

SSI recipients automatically receive Georgia Medicaid, which covers doctor visits, hospital care, and prescriptions. If you work, you can earn up to $65 per month without losing SSI, and earnings above that are counted at a reduced rate, so part-time work is possible.

Georgia Medicaid for people with disabilities

Georgia Medicaid covers medical care — doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, therapy, and more — for people with disabilities who meet income and asset limits. If you are on SSI, you are automatically covered by Medicaid. If you are on SSDI, you can use Medicaid if your income is below Georgia's limit (currently around $1,074 per month for an individual, though this varies). If you are not on SSI or SSDI, you can still explore for Medicaid directly if your income is low enough.

To explore for Georgia Medicaid, go to peachcare.org or call 1-888-891-8900. You will need proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), proof of residency, and proof of citizenship or legal residency. The state usually makes a decision within 30 days. If you are denied, you can ask for a hearing.

Georgia also offers PeachCare for Kids, which covers children with disabilities in families earning up to 235 percent of the federal poverty level. The rules and process process are the same as for adult Medicaid.

Georgia's Home and Community-Based Services Waiver

This waiver program pays for in-home help, day programs, job coaching, and other support so people with disabilities can live in their own homes and communities instead of moving to nursing homes or other institutions. Services include personal care (help with bathing, dressing, meals), homemaker services (cleaning, laundry), adult day care, supported employment, and respite care (temporary relief for family caregivers).

To use the waiver, you must be on SSI or Medicaid, have a disability that would otherwise require institutional care, and meet income and asset limits. There is usually a waiting list for the waiver in Georgia because demand exceeds funding. To get on the list, contact your local Department of Human Services office or call the Georgia Division of Aging Services at 1-866-552-4464.

Once you are approved, a case manager works with you to design a service plan that fits your needs and goals. The state pays the provider directly, so there is no bill to you. Services are provided by home health agencies, day programs, and other vendors approved by the state.

How to find local disability resources in Georgia

Georgia has a network of local agencies and nonprofits that help people with disabilities understand their options and connect to programs. The fastest way to find what is available in your area is to call 211 — a free helpline that connects you to local health and human services. You can also text your zip code to 898-211 or visit 211.org.

The Georgia Division of Aging Services (1-866-552-4464) handles state disability programs and can tell you about the Home and Community-Based Services Waiver and other state-run support. The Social Security Administration's Georgia office (1-800-772-1213) handles SSDI and SSI claims. Your county Department of Human Services office handles Medicaid applications and can connect you to local case managers and support groups.

If you are working with a disability, the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (1-800-232-3292) offers job coaching, training, and assistive technology to help you stay employed or find work.

What happens after you are approved for a program

Once you are approved for SSDI or SSI, you receive a notice letter explaining your monthly payment amount, your Medicare or Medicaid coverage, and your work incentives (rules that let you work and still receive benefits). Keep this letter — you will need it to prove your status to employers, landlords, and other agencies.

You must report changes to Social Security within 10 days: if you start or stop working, if your address changes, if you get married or divorced, or if your medical condition improves. Failure to report can result in overpayments that you will have to repay. You can report changes by phone (1-800-772-1213), online at ssa.gov, or in person at a Social Security office.

Every year, Social Security sends a letter asking you to confirm that you still meet the rules for your program (for example, that you still have a disability, or that your income is still low enough). This is called a continuing disability review or redetermination. Answer it on time or your benefits may stop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get both SSDI and SSI at the same time?

No. If you may have access to for SSDI based on your work record, you receive SSDI only. If your SSDI payment is very small, Social Security may add a small SSI payment to bring you to the minimum, but this is rare. You cannot receive both programs in full.

What is the difference between Georgia Medicaid and Medicare?

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people over 65 and for some younger people on SSDI (after two years). Medicaid is a joint federal-state program for low-income people. If you are on SSDI, you get Medicare. If you are on SSI, you get Georgia Medicaid. Some people have both.

How long is the waiting list for the Home and Community-Based Services Waiver?

The waiting list varies by region and changes as funding becomes available. Some areas have waits of several months; others may be longer. Call the Georgia Division of Aging Services (1-866-552-4464) to find out the current wait time in your area and get on the list.

Can I work while receiving SSDI or SSI?

Yes. SSDI allows you to earn up to $1,550 per month (in 2024) without losing benefits. SSI allows you to earn up to $65 per month without losing benefits, and earnings above that are counted at a reduced rate. Both programs have work incentives that let you test your ability to work without when ready losing all your benefits.

What do I do if Social Security denies my claim?

You have the right to appeal. You can ask for reconsideration (a new review by a different examiner), request a hearing before an administrative law judge, or appeal to the Appeals Council. You have 60 days from the denial letter to file your first appeal. You can represent yourself or hire a lawyer who specializes in Social Security cases.