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Paying for long-term care in Georgia

This is the general guide, made specific to Georgia: the actual, dated figures behind "who pays" and "what happens when the money runs out." Every number shows the year it applies to and links to its source. This is information, not advice — and because these figures reset most years, confirm the current amount with the office (listed at the bottom) before you rely on it.

How to read this page. Each figure below is a Georgia number with its year and source. Most reset on January 1. Gathered 2026-07-06. When a number matters to a real decision, call the office under who helps you in Georgia and confirm it — they have the current figure, and they help for free.

The limits: income & assets

To qualify for Georgia long-term-care Medicaid, a single applicant generally has to be under both an income and an asset limit.

$2,982per month

Income limit — single applicant

Applies to Nursing Home Medicaid and the Elderly & Disabled (HCBS) Waiver for a single applicant. Set at 300% of the SSI Federal Benefit Rate. Being over this limit does not automatically disqualify — see the Qualified Income Trust / Medically Needy notes.

Georgia · 2026 · medicaidplanningassistance.org

$2,000

Asset limit — single applicant

Countable assets for a single applicant. The home (within the equity limit), one vehicle, personal belongings, and an irrevocable burial trust (up to $10,000 in Georgia) are generally not counted.

Georgia · 2026 · medicaidplanningassistance.org

$70per month

Personal needs allowance (nursing home)

A nursing-home resident on Medicaid keeps this much of their own income as a personal needs allowance; most of the rest goes toward the cost of care (plus any Medicare premiums for dual-eligibles).

Georgia · 2026 · medicaidplanningassistance.org

If income is over the limit

Medically Needy income limit: $317 / month (single), $375 / month (couple); a Qualified Income Trust is also available. Being over the income limit is not the end of the road: Georgia has a Medically Needy pathway and allows Qualified Income (“Miller”) Trusts so higher-income applicants can still qualify. This is attorney/counselor territory.

Georgia · 2026 · medicaidplanningassistance.org

Protecting the spouse who stays home

If one spouse needs care and the other stays home, Georgia follows the federal spousal-impoverishment rules so the spouse at home isn't left destitute. More on the idea: protecting the spouse at home.

$162,660maximum

Assets the spouse at home keeps (CSRA)

Community Spouse Resource Allowance — the assets the spouse who stays home may keep. Georgia lets the community spouse retain the couple’s countable assets up to the federal maximum of $162,660 (2026).

Georgia · 2026 · medicaidplanningassistance.org · medicaid.gov

$4,066.50per month

Minimum income for the spouse at home (MMMNA)

Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance — the minimum monthly income the spouse at home is allowed. If their own income is below this, they may keep some of the applicant spouse’s income to reach it. Georgia uses the federal maximum figure.

Georgia · 2026 · medicaidplanningassistance.org

What happens to the house

More on the idea: what happens to the house. Protecting a home and estate recovery in Georgia are squarely elder-law-attorney territory.

$752,000

Home-equity limit for the exemption

The home is exempt (not counted) if the applicant, their spouse, or a dependent lives in it, or the applicant intends to return home — up to this home-equity limit. Georgia uses the federal minimum equity limit.

Georgia · 2026 · medicaidplanningassistance.org

Estate recovery after death

Yes — Georgia operates a Medicaid Estate Recovery Program. After a Medicaid long-term-care recipient dies, Georgia seeks repayment from the person’s estate. Recovery is generally deferred while a surviving spouse is living, and hardship waivers exist. The specifics and any exemptions are a question for an elder-law attorney and the state.

Georgia · 2026 · medicaidplanningassistance.org

The five-year look-back

Why giving assets away to qualify can backfire. More: the five-year look-back.

60 months(5 years)

Look-back period

Georgia reviews the five years of financial history before an application. Gifts or below-value transfers in that window can create a penalty period.

Georgia · 2026 · medicaid.gov

Getting care at home instead of a nursing home

These waivers have a cap and often a waitlist, so families are usually advised to apply early and ask about the wait. More: help at home.

Home & community-based waivers

Elderly & Disabled Waiver Program (EDWP) — delivered through CCSP (Community Care Services Program) and SOURCE (Service Options Using Resources in a Community Environment). These Medicaid waivers pay for care at home or in the community (personal care, adult day health, home-delivered meals, respite, alternative living services) as an alternative to a nursing home. They are NOT an entitlement — there is an enrollment cap and often a waitlist.

Georgia · 2026 · medicaid.georgia.gov

Where you actually apply

How to apply

Apply online at Georgia Gateway (gateway.ga.gov). Financial eligibility is determined by the Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS). For waiver services, contact Georgia’s Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC).

Georgia · 2026 · georgia.gov · gateway.ga.gov

For scale: what care costs in Georgia

Nursing-home cost (median)

Median nursing-home cost in Georgia: about $8,821 / month (~$105,850 / year) for a semi-private room; about $9,429 / month for a private room. Industry-survey medians, not government rates and not a maximum — an individual facility can be higher or lower. Georgia runs somewhat below the national median. Included for scale, so the numbers above have context.

Georgia · 2024 · carescout.com

Who helps you in Georgia — free, and on your side

You do not have to figure this out alone, and you should not pay someone to "get you approved." These offices help for free and can confirm every figure above.

1-888-669-7195

Georgia Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) / Aging & Disability Network

Front door for waiver services (EDWP/CCSP/SOURCE) and options counseling.

georgia.gov

1-866-552-4464 (option 4)

GeorgiaCares (State Health Insurance Assistance Program)

Free, unbiased Medicare counseling.

aging.georgia.gov

1-888-454-5826

Georgia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

Independent advocate for residents of nursing homes and personal care / assisted living.

georgiaombudsman.org

1-800-677-1116

Eldercare Locator (finds your local Area Agency on Aging)

eldercare.acl.gov

Questions to bring to your Georgia office

Are these the current Georgia income and asset limits, and how is my parent's income counted?
If my parent is over the income limit, how do the Medically Needy pathway or a Qualified Income Trust work here?
My parent is married — exactly how much can the spouse at home keep in income and assets?
Is there a waitlist for the CCSP/SOURCE waiver right now, and how do we get on the list?
What will Georgia's estate recovery try to recover, and what protections apply to our home?

You now know more than most people who walk into that office. That is the whole point.

Where to go next

← Back to the general guide