Benefits for seniors in Georgia

Medicaid for people 65 and over

Georgia Medicaid for older adults is called ABD Medicaid (Aged, Blind and Disabled). Which group fits you depends on where you live, your income and whether you are married.

• If you get SSI: You get Medicaid automatically. Social Security makes the Medicaid decision for SSI recipients in Georgia. SSI pays up to $994 a month for one person in 2026.
• Asset limit: For most ABD groups, countable assets must be $2,000 or less for one person and $3,000 for a couple. Your home and one car usually do not count.
• Medically Needy: If your income is too high, you may still qualify by "spending down." Your medical bills use up the income above $317 a month for one person ($375 for a couple). The asset limit is $2,000 for one person and $4,000 for a couple.

What it covers: Doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, nursing home care and some home care. It fills gaps left by Medicare.

Long-term care Medicaid: For nursing home care, hospice, or home care through the waiver programs, the income limit is $2,982 a month for one person in 2026. If your income is higher, you may still qualify by setting up a Qualified Income Trust. Most of your income then goes toward your care. If your spouse still lives at home, Georgia lets them keep some of your income, up to $4,066.50 a month, and a share of your assets. Ask DFCS for the current asset amount. Giving away assets before you apply can cause a waiting period.

Estate recovery: After you die, Georgia may seek repayment from your estate for nursing home and home care costs (for home care, if you were 55 or older). The first $25,000 of any estate is not touched, and recovery waits while a spouse is alive. Questions: (770) 916-0328.

Help paying Medicare costs

Georgia Medicaid runs the three Medicare Savings Programs. Georgia uses the federal income limits. These limits already include the $20 of income that is not counted.

• QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary): Pays your Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles and copays. Income up to $1,350 a month for one person, or $1,824 for a couple.
• SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary): Pays your Part B premium. Income up to $1,616 a month for one person, or $2,184 for a couple.
• QI (Qualifying Individual): Pays your Part B premium. Income up to $1,816 a month for one person, or $2,455 for a couple.

Asset limit: Georgia has an asset test for these programs: $9,950 for one person and $14,910 for a couple.

If you qualify for any of these programs, you also get Extra Help with drug costs automatically. You do not need to apply for it separately.

Prescription drug help

Georgia does not have its own drug payment program for seniors. The main help is federal Extra Help, which lowers Medicare Part D premiums and copays. In 2026 you may qualify with income up to about $23,940 a year for one person. Georgia SHIP can help you apply for free.

Extra state payment with SSI

Georgia does not pay an extra state payment to SSI recipients who live in their own home. Social Security lists Georgia's supplement as optional and run by the state. It goes only to SSI recipients who live in a nursing home or get hospice care in a nursing home. If you live at home, your SSI check is the federal amount, up to $994 a month for one person. See SSI.

Food help

Georgia's food program is called SNAP, run by DFCS.

• Senior SNAP: This is a shorter application for households where everyone is 65 or older, no one works, and income comes from fixed sources such as Social Security, a pension or VA benefits. Use Form 298, or apply online or by phone.
• Medical costs count: If you are 65 or older or disabled, medical costs over $35 a month can be subtracted from your income. This includes Medicare premiums and prescriptions, so keep your receipts.
• Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program: If you are 60 or older with income at or below 185% of the poverty level, you may get a once-a-year benefit to buy fresh Georgia-grown produce at approved markets. Benefits are given out through your local Area Agency on Aging, first come, first served, until September 30. The market season runs from May 1 into October. Call (866) 814-5468.

How to apply for SNAP: Online at gateway.ga.gov, by phone at (877) 423-4746, or mail Form 298 to P.O. Box 450149, Atlanta, GA 31145-0149.

Help staying at home

Georgia's Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program helps people who need nursing-home-level care stay at home. It has two parts:

• Community Care Services Program (CCSP): Case management, adult day care, personal care, home-delivered meals, respite care for family caregivers, and alternative living services.
• SOURCE: The same kinds of services plus enhanced case management linked to your primary care doctor.

To apply, contact your local Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC). Georgia has 12 ADRC regions covering every county. Call 1-866-552-4464 or visit aging.georgia.gov/adrc. You must meet the Medicaid income and asset limits for long-term care.

PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) serves older adults who need nursing-home-level care but live in the community. Georgia is still adding PACE to its Medicaid program. The state picked its first PACE groups in 2024. Ask your ADRC whether a PACE program is open near you.

Property tax and housing help

You must own and live in the home on January 1 and apply with your county tax office, usually by April 1. Many counties offer bigger senior exemptions, so ask.

• Standard homestead exemption: $2,000 off the assessed value for county and school taxes. Any age.
• Age 65 and over: $4,000 off county taxes if your household income (you and your spouse) was $10,000 or less last year. Social Security and retirement income are not counted, up to a set maximum.
• Age 62 and over, school taxes: Up to $10,000 off the assessed value for school taxes, with the same income limit.
• Age 62 and over, floating exemption: Freezes your county taxes against rising home values if your household income is $30,000 or less.
• Statewide floating exemption (any age): Since 2025, a state law (HB 581) limits how fast the taxable value of your home can rise, to about the rate of inflation. Some counties, cities and school districts opted out, so ask your county if it applies to you.

Help with energy bills

Georgia's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps with heating in winter and cooling in summer.

• Seniors go first: Households with someone 65 or older, or someone medically homebound, can apply before everyone else. In the last season, seniors could apply for heating help from December 1, 2025 and for cooling help from April 1, 2026. Heating help usually opens again in December.
• Income: At or below 60% of Georgia's median income. That is about $34,549 a year for one person.
• How to apply: Contact your local Community Action Agency. Find it at georgiacaa.org. Bring a recent energy bill, Social Security numbers and 30 days of income proof. Apply early.

Free help and counseling

• Georgia SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program): Free, unbiased help with Medicare, drug plans, bills and appeals. Call 1-866-552-4464 and choose option 4, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Website: aging.georgia.gov/georgia-ship.
• Area Agencies on Aging and ADRCs: Local help with meals, home care, caregiver support and waiver programs. Call 1-866-552-4464 or find yours at aging.georgia.gov/locations.
• State aging agency: The Division of Aging Services, part of the Georgia Department of Human Services, at aging.georgia.gov.

How to apply

Phone numbers: Free help lines for Georgia agencies

Check what you may qualify for