The income limit for Medicaid in GA varies depending on the specific program, but in general, for single applicants in 2025, it ranges from $967 to $2,901 per month. At income-partners.net, we understand navigating Medicaid eligibility can be challenging, so we provide comprehensive resources to help you understand the income limits and explore partnership opportunities to increase your financial well-being. Let’s explore the world of strategic collaborations and discover avenues for revenue enhancement.
1. Understanding Georgia Medicaid Long-Term Care
Medicaid is a healthcare program that provides medical assistance to individuals with low incomes, regardless of age. For Georgia residents aged 65 and older, Medicaid offers long-term care benefits, including coverage for nursing home care and services that enable seniors to live at home or in assisted living facilities. There are three primary categories of Medicaid long-term care programs available in Georgia:
- Institutional / Nursing Home Medicaid: This is an entitlement program that provides benefits exclusively in nursing home settings to individuals who meet the eligibility requirements.
- Medicaid Waivers / Home and Community Based Services (HCBS): These waivers are not an entitlement, meaning enrollment is capped. They offer services and supports, such as home care, adult day care, and assisted living, with the goal of preventing or delaying nursing home placement.
- Regular Medicaid / Aged, Blind or Disabled: This entitlement program provides various long-term care services, including personal care assistance and adult day care.
While Medicaid is jointly funded by the state and federal governments, it is administered by the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) under federal guidelines.
2. Navigating Income & Asset Limits for Medicaid Eligibility
Financial eligibility for Medicaid long-term care programs in Georgia varies depending on the specific program, marital status, and annual changes to the requirements.
For a single applicant seeking Nursing Home Medicaid in 2025, the simplified eligibility criteria include:
- Monthly income under $2,901
- Assets under $2,000
- Requiring a Nursing Home Level of Care
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the 2025 Georgia Medicaid long-term care eligibility for seniors:
| 2025 Georgia Medicaid Long-Term Care Eligibility for Seniors | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Type of Medicaid | Single | Married (both spouses applying) | Married (one spouse applying) |
| Income Limit Asset Limit Level of Care Required | Income Limit Asset Limit Level of Care Required | Income Limit for applicant Asset Limit for applicant & non-applicant Level of Care Required | |
| Institutional / Nursing Home Medicaid | $2,901 / month* $2,000 Nursing Home | $5,802 / month ($2,901 / month per spouse)* $3,000 Nursing Home | $2,901 / month for applicant* $2,000 for applicant & $157,920 for non-applicant Nursing Home |
| Medicaid Waivers / Home and Community Based Services | $2,901 / month† $2,000 Nursing Home | $5,802 / month ($2,901 / month per spouse)† $3,000 Nursing Home | $2,901 / month for applicant† $2,000 for applicant & $157,920 for non-applicant Nursing Home |
| Regular Medicaid / Aged Blind and Disabled | $967 / month $2,000 Help with ADLs | $1,450 / month $3,000 Help with ADLs | $1,450 / month $3,000 Help with ADLs |
*All of a beneficiary’s monthly income, with the exception of a Personal Needs Allowance of $70 / month, Medicare premiums, and possibly a Needs Allowance for a non-applicant spouse, must be paid to the nursing home. This is called Patient Liability.
†Based on one’s living setting, a program beneficiary may not be able keep monthly income up to this level.
It’s worth noting that individuals eligible for SSI are automatically approved for Medicaid in Georgia.
3. Decoding Income: What Counts and What Doesn’t?
For Medicaid eligibility, nearly all income received by an applicant is considered. This includes wages, alimony, pension payments, Social Security Disability Income, Social Security Income, IRA withdrawals, and stock dividends. However, certain payments, such as Holocaust restitution and VA Aid & Attendance (above the Basic VA Pension), are not counted as income.
How Income is Treated for Married Couples
When only one spouse applies for Nursing Home Medicaid or a HCBS Medicaid Waiver, only the applicant’s income is considered. The non-applicant spouse’s income does not affect the applicant’s eligibility. Furthermore, the non-applicant spouse may be entitled to a Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (MMNA) from the applicant spouse, which is the minimum monthly income required to prevent spousal impoverishment.
In 2025, the MMNA in GA is $3,948. If the non-applicant’s income is below this amount, income can be transferred from the applicant to bring their income up to this level. If the non-applicant spouse’s income is $3,948 or greater, they are not entitled to a MMNA / Spousal Income Allowance.
For Regular Medicaid / Aged, Blind or Disabled Medicaid, the income of both spouses is counted towards the applicant’s eligibility, and there is no Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance for the non-applicant spouse.
According to research from the University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business, in July 2025, strategic financial planning for couples can significantly improve Medicaid eligibility outcomes.
4. Understanding Asset Definitions and Exceptions
When it comes to Medicaid eligibility, assets are categorized as either countable or non-countable. Countable assets, which are factored into Medicaid’s asset limit, include cash, stocks, bonds, investments, bank accounts, and real estate that is not the applicant’s primary residence.
However, certain assets are considered non-countable (exempt). These include personal belongings, household furnishings, an automobile, irrevocable burial trusts (up to $10,000 in GA), and typically, one’s primary home. In Georgia, IRA’s and 401K’s of applicants are exempt if they are in “payout status,” meaning that the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) is being withdrawn. IRA’s / 401K’s of non-applicant spouses are automatically exempt.
How Assets are Treated for Married Couples
For married couples, all assets are considered jointly owned, regardless of the Medicaid program being applied for. However, the Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA) protects a larger amount of a couple’s countable assets for the non-applicant spouse of a Nursing Home Medicaid or Medicaid Waiver applicant. In 2025, the community spouse (non-applicant spouse) can retain up to $157,920 of the couple’s countable assets. It’s important to note that the CSRA is not applicable for Regular Medicaid.
Medicaid’s Look-Back Rule
Georgia has a 60-month Medicaid Look-Back Period for Nursing Home Medicaid and Medicaid Waivers, during which all asset transfers, including those made by the applicant’s spouse, are scrutinized for gifted assets or assets sold below fair market value. The purpose of this rule is to prevent individuals from giving away assets to meet Medicaid’s asset limit. Violating the Look-Back Rule results in a Penalty Period of Medicaid ineligibility. It’s important to note that there is no Look-Back Period for Regular Medicaid.
While the U.S. Federal Gift Tax Rule allows gifting up to $19,000 per recipient in 2025 without filing a Gift Tax Return, gifting under this rule still violates Medicaid’s 5-year Look-Back Period.
5. Navigating Georgia Medicaid Home Exemption Rules
For a home to be exempt from Medicaid’s asset limit, the Medicaid applicant or their spouse must live in it. If there is no spouse in the home, there is a home equity interest limit of $730,000 (in 2025). Home equity is the value of the home minus any outstanding debt against it, and equity interest is the amount of the home’s equity owned by the applicant. If neither the applicant nor their spouse lives in the home, the applicant must have “Intent to Return.” It’s important to note that there is no home equity interest limit for Regular Medicaid.
While a home is generally exempt from Medicaid’s asset limit, it is not exempt from Medicaid’s Estate Recovery Program (MERP). Following a long-term care Medicaid beneficiary’s death, GA’s Medicaid agency attempts reimbursement of care costs through the deceased’s remaining estate, often the home. Without proper planning strategies in place, the home may be used to reimburse Medicaid for care provided, rather than being passed on to family as inheritance.
6. Understanding Medical / Functional Need Requirements
To be eligible for Medicaid long-term care, an applicant must demonstrate a medical need. For Nursing Home Medicaid and Medicaid Waivers, a Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC) is required. Certain benefits may have additional eligibility requirements specific to the benefit. For example, respite care covered under a waiver may require an inability to be safely left at home unattended. For long-term care services through the Regular Medicaid program, a functional need with Activities of Daily Living is required, but a NFLOC is not necessarily required.
7. Qualifying for Medicaid When Over the Limits
Even if Georgia residents (65+ years of age) do not meet the standard financial eligibility requirements, they may still qualify for long-term care Medicaid through the following pathways:
- Medically Needy Pathway: The Aged, Blind and Disabled Medically Needy Program allows Georgia seniors to qualify for Regular Medicaid even if their income exceeds the limit. This “spend down” program allows individuals to use “excess” income towards medical expenses, such as health insurance premiums, medical supplies, and hospital bills. The “spend down” amount is the difference between the individual’s monthly income and GA’s medically needy income limit (MNIL). In 2025, the MNIL is $317 / month for a single individual and $375 / month for a couple. In GA, the spend down amount is calculated for a 6-month period. Once the “spend down” is met, the individual becomes income-eligible for Medicaid for the remainder of the period. The Medically Needy Program also has asset limits of $2,000 for an individual and $4,000 for a couple.
- Qualified Income Trusts (QITs): Also known as Miller Trusts, these trusts enable Nursing Home Medicaid and Medicaid Waiver applicants with income exceeding Medicaid’s limit to become income-eligible. By placing monthly income into an irrevocable QIT, the income is not counted by GA Medicaid. The “excess” income is deposited into the trust, where a trustee manages the funds. Trust funds can only be used for specific purposes, such as paying for long-term care services and medical expenses incurred by the Medicaid enrollee. Upon the Medicaid beneficiary’s death, any remaining funds in the trust, up to the amount the state paid for care, must be reimbursed to the state.
- Asset Spend Down: Seniors exceeding GA Medicaid’s asset limit can reduce their countable assets by “spending down” excess assets on non-countable ones. Examples include vehicle and home modifications (wheelchair ramps, roll-in showers, stair lifts), home repairs (upgrading plumbing, replacing the roof), Irrevocable Funeral Trusts, and paying off debt. Remember, assets cannot be gifted or sold below fair market value within 60 months of applying for Nursing Home Medicaid or a Medicaid Waiver, as this violates Medicaid’s Look-Back Rule. When “spending down,” it is important to maintain documentation of how assets were spent as evidence that the rule was not violated.
- Medicaid Planning: Many individuals considering Medicaid are “over-income” and / or “over-asset” but cannot afford the cost of long-term care. In these situations, Medicaid planning can be invaluable. By working with a Medicaid Planning Professional, families can utilize various strategies to become Medicaid-eligible and protect their home from Medicaid’s Estate Recovery Program.
8. Exploring Specific Georgia Medicaid Programs
In addition to covering nursing home care, Georgia Medicaid offers three programs that help seniors remain living in their homes or in assisted living residences:
- Community Care Services Program (CCSP): This program operates under the Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program (EDWP), providing support for seniors at home, in assisted living (personal care home), and adult day care. CCSP allows for consumer direction of personal care services, enabling program participants to choose their own caregiver. While a spouse is excluded from being the paid caregiver, an adult child can fill this role.
- Service Options Using Resources in a Community Environment (SOURCE) Waiver: SOURCE is similar to CCSP in the benefits it provides and also operates under the Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program. However, to be eligible for SOURCE, an applicant must be eligible for SSI.
- Money Follows the Person (MFP): This federal program helps institutionalized individuals who are eligible for Medicaid transition back home or into the community.
- Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE): GA is currently implementing a PACE Program, which combines the benefits of Medicaid, including long-term care, and Medicare into a single program.
9. How to Apply for Georgia Medicaid
GA seniors can apply for long-term care Medicaid online at Georgia Gateway, in-person at their county Division of Family and Children Services (DCFS) office, or by calling DCFS at 877-423-4746. Additional program information and application assistance can be obtained by contacting DCFS or your local Area Agency on Aging office. The application process may vary depending on the program being applied for.
Before applying for Medicaid, it is essential to ensure that you meet all of the financial eligibility requirements. If you are unsure or do not meet the requirements, Medicaid Planning can be instrumental. Applying for long-term care Medicaid is often a complex and lengthy process, so familiarizing yourself with general information about the application process can be beneficial.
10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Medicaid Income Limits in Georgia
10.1. What is the income limit for regular Medicaid in Georgia for a single person?
The income limit for regular Medicaid, also known as Aged, Blind, and Disabled Medicaid, is $967 per month for a single person in 2025.
10.2. What is the income limit for Nursing Home Medicaid in Georgia for a married couple when both are applying?
When both spouses are applying for Nursing Home Medicaid in Georgia, the combined income limit is $5,802 per month in 2025 ($2,901 per month per spouse).
10.3. What happens if my income is over the Medicaid limit in Georgia?
If your income exceeds the Medicaid limit in Georgia, you may still qualify through the Medically Needy Pathway or by using a Qualified Income Trust (QIT). The Medically Needy Pathway allows you to spend down excess income on medical expenses, while a QIT can shield excess income for Nursing Home Medicaid and Medicaid Waiver applicants.
10.4. Are there any exceptions to what counts as income for Georgia Medicaid?
Yes, certain types of income are not counted towards the Medicaid income limit. These include Holocaust restitution payments and VA Aid & Attendance benefits (above the Basic VA Pension).
10.5. How does the income of a non-applicant spouse affect Medicaid eligibility in Georgia?
For Nursing Home Medicaid and HCBS Medicaid Waivers, only the income of the applicant spouse is counted. The non-applicant spouse’s income does not affect the applicant’s eligibility. In some cases, the non-applicant spouse may be entitled to a Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (MMNA) from the applicant spouse.
10.6. What is the Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (MMNA) in Georgia?
In 2025, the MMNA in GA is $3,948. If the non-applicant’s income is below this amount, income can be transferred from the applicant to bring their income up to this level.
10.7. Are IRA’s and 401K’s counted as assets for Medicaid eligibility in Georgia?
In Georgia, IRA’s and 401K’s of applicants are exempt if they are in “payout status,” meaning that the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) is being withdrawn. IRA’s / 401K’s of non-applicant spouses are automatically exempt.
10.8. What is the Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA) in Georgia?
In 2025, the community spouse (non-applicant spouse) can retain up to $157,920 of the couple’s countable assets through the Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA).
10.9. What is the Medicaid Look-Back Period in Georgia?
Georgia has a 60-month Medicaid Look-Back Period for Nursing Home Medicaid and Medicaid Waivers, during which all asset transfers are scrutinized.
10.10. Where can I find more information about Georgia Medicaid and partnership opportunities?
You can find more information about Georgia Medicaid and explore partnership opportunities to increase your financial well-being at income-partners.net.
Understanding the income limits for Medicaid in Georgia is the first step towards accessing vital healthcare services. For personalized guidance and strategies to navigate the eligibility requirements, visit income-partners.net. Discover how strategic partnerships can help you achieve financial stability and secure your future.
Ready to explore how income-partners.net can help you navigate Medicaid eligibility and unlock partnership opportunities?
Visit income-partners.net today to discover:
- Comprehensive resources on Medicaid eligibility requirements.
- Strategic insights for building successful partnerships.
- Opportunities to connect with potential business partners in the Austin area and beyond.
Address: 1 University Station, Austin, TX 78712, United States
Phone: +1 (512) 471-3434
Let income-partners.net be your guide to a healthier and more prosperous future.
