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EDWP Program

Elderly Care Waiver Program (EDWP)

CareSmart provides Case Management services under the EDWP programs. Georgia EDWP waiver programs help people who are elderly or have disabilities and need help to live in their home or community instead of an institution such as a nursing home or intermediate care facility for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Each program offers several “core” services: The Traditional/ Enhanced EDWP waiver services include the following:

  1. Daytime care and supervision in an adult day center
  2. Nursing and Medical Social Services
  3. Planned therapeutic activities
  4. Physical, speech and occupational therapy
  5. Meals, including prescribed diets
  1. Alternative residence for persons unable to remain independent in their own homes
  2. Meals, Personal Care and supervision
  1. In-home electronic support system providing two-way communication between isolated persons and a medical control center.
  2. Service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  1. Skilled nursing services.
  2. Physical, speech and occupational therapy.
  3. Medical Social Services and home health aide assistance.
  4. Personal Care and assistance with meals.
  1. Assistance with meal preparation, hygiene and nutrition.
  2. Bathing, light housekeeping, necessary errands, and other support
    services.
  3. In-home respite care provided by aide.
  1. Consumer hires and supervises worker(s) of choice after 6 months of traditional personal support services.
  2. Clients enrolled in the option are required to choose a financial management service provider that will issue paychecks and adhere to federal and state tax laws on behalf of the client.
  1. Out-of-home overnight respite care in an approved facility with 24-hour supervision.
  1. Prepared outside the home and delivered to the client.
  1. Provide support, education and oversight on behalf of waiver members whose family caregiver lives in the home with member.
  2. Live-in family member works with SFC provider’s head coach while supporting the member to maximize the highest level of independence for the member by providing necessary care and support.
  1. Process which includes, assessing, implementing, coordinating, monitoring, evaluating options and services required to meet individual needs and making referral as needed.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR EDWP?

  • To qualify, you must have Medicaid or be Medicaid-Eligible and additionally:
  • Must be at least 65 years old (or, if younger than 65, meet certain disability requirements),
  • Must be functionally impaired as a result of physical limitations,
  • Must have unmet needs for care
  • Must choose to receive services in your home or community instead of a nursing home, and
  • Participate in only one waiver program at a time.
  • Services fall within the average annual cost of Medicaid reimbursed care provided in a nursing facility. Health and safety needs can be met by EDWP
  • Medicare home health services or hospice (Medicare or Medicaid) does not meet consumers need for services
  • Home delivered meals is not the only service need.
  • The home environment is free of illegal behavior and threat of bodily harm to other persons.

HOW TO APPLY FOR EDWP SERVICES

The Georgia Division of Aging Services administers EDWP through the Area Agencies on Aging. You can apply for EDWP by calling your Area Agency on Aging (AAA).

(Click here for a full listing of AAA in Georgia)
  • Call the toll-free, state-wide number for the Area Agency on Aging at 888-669-7195.
  • Once connected, an AAA staff member will screen you by asking questions about your situation.
  • This screening will determine eligibility and urgency of need, which affects your placement on the waiting list.

Next Steps

You’ll be contacted when your name comes to the top of the waiting list. You will undergo an in-home assessment to determine the level of care you need.
As part of the assessment, the nurse or care coordinator will work with you and your caregiver to develop a care plan.

(Click here for the full screening and approval process)

What are the Financial Eligibility Requirements for the Program?

The following information summarizes the financial eligibility criteria for the EDWP.

  • SSI Category: The persons who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and are eligible for Medicare assistance. The Social Security Administration takes application for SSI
  • Medical Assistance Only (MAO) Category: Persons who do not receive cash benefits under the SSI program may qualify for medical assistance under another Medicaid category known as MAO. The County Department of Family and Children Services take application for MAO. MAO participants may have to pay towards the cost of services.

* These limits change when the Social Security Administration increases Social Security and SSI

** If the EDWP Medicaid applicant has a spouse who is neither in EDWP nor in an institution, the assets of the spouse MUST be considered in the eligibility determination. The combined total of countable assets of the individual and the spouse must be $137,400 or less. The EDWP client must transfer assets in his/her name in excess of $2,000 to the community spouse within one year from the month Medicaid eligibility begins.

A Waiver Medicaid eligible person may divert up to $3259.50 per month of income to a legal spouse who is neither in EDWP nor in an institution.  The legal spouse’s income is deducted from the $3435.00 limit before determining the amount of income to divert.