UPDATE: In 2020, most of the requirements for Medicaid are expected to remain the same.

Who is eligible for Medicaid in Georgia? You must review the Medicaid eligibility requirements in GA to determine if you qualify prior to enrolling in the state’s government-sponsored medical coverage program. But, what are the requirements for Medicaid? There are both income requirements for Medicaid and other standards you must meet – unrelated to income – before you can obtain Medicaid benefits in Georgia.

If you are still unsure about how to qualify for Medicaid, you came to the right place. What are the income requirements for Medicaid, and what are the Medicaid benefits eligibility requirements.

Who meets the requirements for Medicaid in Georgia?

Due to the Medicaid eligibility advancements, several types of patients are now qualified to receive Medicaid benefits in GA. The first step to meeting Medicaid qualifications is confirming that you belong to one of the following groups:

• Blind, aged or disabled patients – You are eligible for Medicaid if you receive benefits in the form of Supplemental Security Income (SSI). In addition, if you live in a nursing home facility and have both limited assets and a low income, you qualify for Medicaid. Also, those who can stay at home with community care services to utilize regular nursing care and personal services can apply for Medicaid benefits. Finally, if you currently have Medicare Part A and your income is within the limits of the federal poverty level, you can request for Georgia Medicaid to take care of some of your expenses.
• Hospice patients – If you are terminally ill, and have a life expectancy totaling six months or less, you may qualify for Medicaid benefits eligibility. However, in order to receive Georgia Medicaid benefits, you must agree to receive your medical services through a Medicaid-approved hospice provider. Low-income individuals – Both adults and children who meet the Medicaid eligibility standards set forth by Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) qualify to apply for Medicaid in Georgia.
• Pregnant women – If you are expecting a child on the way, both your infant (when born) and you will be covered by Medicaid, so long as you are within the federal poverty level guidelines.
• Children who are up to 19 years of age – If you have a child that is between the ages of 0 and 19, you can receive Medicaid coverage for him or her through Right from the Start Medicaid (RSM Children), so long as your household meets the income limits. In addition to the above groups, Medicaid eligibility is also offered to patients who are deemed Medically Needy in Georgia whose incomes exceed the state limits. What are the application guidelines for Medicaid in regard to the above groups? You must first review both the requirements for Medicaid and the income limits to understand.

Download our helpful guide to learn about the different requirements for Medicaid.

What are the requirements for Medicaid in Georgia?

What are the requirements for Medicaid in GA? Even though Medicaid income requirements play a major role in deciding whether or not you are eligible for Georgia’s healthcare benefits, there are several other non-financial factors to consider. Your Medicaid eligibility depends on the following:

1. If you are a U.S. citizen – You must be able to prove that you are, in fact, a United States citizen if you want to apply for Medicaid benefits. If you do not have citizenship papers, you must be able to supply documents supporting your legal presence in the country.
2. If you are legally residing in the state of Georgia – Since you plan to apply for Georgia Medicaid services, you must be able to prove that you indeed live within the state borders of Georgia. In most cases, your DMV driver’s license or your valid ID card will suffice in illustrating that you are a resident of the state.
3. If you have a Social Security Number – Since Medicaid funding is shared between the state of Georgia and the federal government, your Social Security Number verifies your identity with both branches. In addition, your Social Security Number is largely used to keep track of your Medicaid benefits throughout your term as a recipient.

Explore the different Medicaid requirements by downloading our informative guide.

What Are the Income Requirements for Medicaid in Georgia?

What are the income requirements for Medicaid in Georgia? The Georgia Department of Community Health oversees the Medicaid income requirements of the state. Once you have determined you belong to one of the Georgia Medicaid eligibility groups, review the applicable income limits outlined below, depending on your circumstances:

• Blind, aged and disabled patients – Income limits for individuals range from $710 per month to $2,130 per month, depending on your current condition and your medical needs. Your resource limits range from $2,000 to $7,080 for individuals and from $3,000 to $10,620 for couples.
• Terminally ill patients – Income limits for individuals in hospice care are set at $2,130 per month. Your resource limits are set at $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples.
• Low-income individuals – Regarding Medicaid qualifications, income limits for low-earning patients in Georgia depend on the size of your household. If you reside in a household of one, your income limit is set at $235 per month, whereas a household of four can earn no more than $500 per month to qualify financially for Medicaid in Georgia.
• Pregnant women – If you are pregnant, your income limits must remain at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level to qualify for Medicaid. If you live in a household of one, you can earn up to $1,916 per month. However, if you live in a household of four, you are allowed to earn up to $3,926 per month to receive Medicaid for both your infant and yourself.
• Children ages 0 to 19 – The Medicaid income requirements if your child is under the age of one state that you must earn no more than 185 percent of the federal poverty level per household. If you have children ages 1 to 5, you can reach no higher than 133 percent of the federal poverty level to financially qualify for Medicaid. And, if you have children ages 6 to 19, your household income may not equal more than 100 percent of the federal poverty level to obtain Medicaid benefits.

If you are deemed medically needy, you are given the opportunity by Georgia Medicaid to “spend down” the difference between your actual income and the limit set for qualifying into Medicaid. If you are a medically needy pregnant woman or child, the income limit for a household of one is $208 monthly, while resources are set at $2,000. If you are blind, disabled or elderly and are medically needy, in a household of one, you can earn $317 per month with a resource limit of $2,000.

What are the application guidelines for Medicaid-eligible patients listed above? So long as you meet the income limits, are a U.S. citizen (or can prove your legal status) and have a Social Security Number, you should have no problem qualifying for Medicaid in Georgia.