The short answer is yes. Georgia’s Medicaid Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program (EDWP) allows eligible adult children, siblings, and other family members to become enrolled as paid caregivers for a qualifying elderly parent or disabled loved one — receiving a regular paycheck for the personal care and homemaker services they provide at home.
This is one of the most valuable — and least-known — provisions of Georgia’s Medicaid programme. Thousands of families in Gwinnett County, Lawrenceville, Norcross, Duluth, and across Georgia are currently providing unpaid care to an elderly parent, often at significant personal and financial cost. Many of them qualify to be compensated for that care right now and simply do not know it.
This guide explains exactly how the Georgia paid family caregiver programme works, who qualifies, what services are covered, how much caregivers earn, and how H.E.L.P. Home Care helps families in Gwinnett County get enrolled.
What Is Georgia’s EDWP and Why Does It Matter?
Georgia’s Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program (EDWP) is a Medicaid waiver administered by the Georgia Department of Community Health. The programme is designed to help seniors and individuals with disabilities who would otherwise require nursing home care to remain safely in their own homes — by funding a range of home and community-based services.
The key phrase in that description is “nursing home level of care.” EDWP is not a general assistance programme. It is specifically for individuals who have been assessed as needing the type of intensive support typically found in a skilled nursing facility — but who choose to receive that care at home instead.
When a client is approved for EDWP, a personalised care plan is developed outlining the specific services they need and the number of hours per month that Medicaid will fund. The family then selects an enrolled Medicaid home care provider — such as H.E.L.P. Home Care — to deliver and manage those services. Critically, the provider can enrol a qualifying family member as the caregiver who delivers those services and pays them accordingly.
Why this matters for Georgia families
More than 1 in 5 American adults provides unpaid care to an elderly or disabled family member. In Georgia, many of these caregivers have reduced their work hours, turned down promotions, or left the workforce entirely. The EDWP paid caregiver option allows the family to keep doing what they are already doing — while getting compensated for it through Medicaid.
Who Can Be a Paid Family Caregiver in Georgia?
Not every family member qualifies automatically. Georgia’s EDWP has specific eligibility requirements for the caregiver, as well as requirements for the person receiving care.
Caregiver requirements
Must be at least 18 years old
Adult children, siblings, nieces, nephews, and other relatives — but not the client’s legal spouse in most cases
Must pass a criminal background check conducted by H.E.L.P. Home Care
Must complete required caregiver training provided through H.E.L.P. Home Care before beginning paid care
Must be employed by an enrolled Medicaid home care agency — H.E.L.P. Home Care handles all payroll and documentation
Must maintain accurate timesheets and visit logs as required by Medicaid
Requirements for the person receiving care
- Age 65 or older, OR between 18–64 with a qualifying physical disability
- Georgia resident and U.S. citizen or qualified immigrant
- Enrolled in or eligible for Georgia Medicaid (SSI recipients qualify automatically)
- Assessed by the state as needing a nursing-facility level of care
- Within Georgia Medicaid’s income and asset limits
- Personal care or homemaker services must be included in their EDWP authorisation
Can a spouse be a paid caregiver?
In most EDWP situations, a legal spouse cannot serve as the paid caregiver. However, every situation is different, and there are specific circumstances where exceptions may apply. Adult children and other family members are the most common eligible caregivers. Call 404-631-6222 to discuss your specific family situation with our team.
What Services Can a Paid Family Caregiver Provide?
Under Georgia’s EDWP, a paid family caregiver can provide the services that are included in their loved one’s Medicaid-authorised care plan. These typically include:
- Personal care assistance — bathing, dressing, grooming, oral hygiene, toileting, and mobility support
- Homemaker services — meal preparation, light housekeeping, laundry, and grocery shopping
- Medication reminders — reminding the client to take prescribed medications at the correct times
- Accompanying to appointments — in some plans, escort services to medical appointments
The specific services and hours approved are determined by the state needs assessment and are specific to the client’s care plan. A family caregiver can only be paid for services that are included in the authorised plan and actually delivered — and timesheets must be completed accurately to support Medicaid billing.
How Much Do Paid Family Caregivers Earn in Georgia?
Paid family caregivers in Georgia are compensated at an hourly rate that reflects the Medicaid reimbursement schedule for the services delivered. The exact amount depends on the services authorised and current state rates. H.E.L.P. Home Care handles all payroll processing, tax withholding, and employment documentation — the family caregiver receives a regular paycheck just like any other employed caregiver.
While the compensation may be modest relative to full-time work, it provides meaningful financial relief for family members who have already restructured their lives around caregiving. Combined with the cost of nursing home care — which can exceed $6,000 per month in Georgia — the EDWP paid caregiver option represents significant financial value for the entire family.
How to Apply — Step by Step
The process involves several steps across state agencies and the home care provider. H.E.L.P. Home Care guides Gwinnett County families through every stage at no charge.
Confirm the care recipient’s Medicaid eligibility
The elderly parent must first be enrolled in or eligible for Georgia Medicaid. SSI recipients are automatically eligible. Others apply through the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH). Income and asset limits apply — a Medicaid eligibility specialist can advise on planning steps if needed.
Request an EDWP referral and needs assessment
Contact the Georgia Division of Aging Services (DAS) or the local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) to request an EDWP referral. For Gwinnett County families, the relevant AAA is the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC). H.E.L.P. Home Care can make this referral call on your behalf.
Complete the in-home needs assessment
A state assessor visits the home to evaluate the care recipient’s functional abilities and medical needs. This assessment determines EDWP eligibility and the type and hours of services to be authorised. Be thorough and accurate when describing your loved one’s daily challenges — this directly affects what gets approved.
Select H.E.L.P. Home Care as your provider
Once approved, you choose your Medicaid home care provider. You have the right to choose — do not accept a default assignment. Selecting H.E.L.P. Home Care means working with a Gwinnett County-based agency that specialises in EDWP family caregiver enrolment and handles all billing and payroll.
Enrol the family caregiver through H.E.L.P. Home Care
H.E.L.P. Home Care processes the family caregiver’s employment application, background check, and required training. Once cleared, the caregiver begins delivering authorised services — and receives a regular paycheck through our payroll system. We handle all documentation, timesheet management, and Medicaid billing.
Important: EDWP has a waitlist
Georgia’s EDWP is a limited programme and there is a waitlist. Slots are allocated by level of need — individuals assessed as requiring the highest level of care are prioritised. Starting the application process as early as possible, even before full-time care is required, significantly improves your family’s position on the waitlist. Do not wait for a crisis to begin.
Common Questions About the Georgia Paid Family Caregiver Programme
Families considering this option often have the same concerns. Here are direct answers to the most common questions we hear from Gwinnett County and metro Atlanta families.
Does the family caregiver have to live with the elderly parent?
No. The family caregiver does not need to live in the same home as the care recipient. What matters is that they are available to provide the authorised services during scheduled care hours and that they complete and submit accurate timesheets.
What happens if the care recipient’s needs change?
EDWP care plans can be updated through a re-assessment process if the client’s needs increase or change significantly. H.E.L.P. Home Care coordinates re-assessments with the state and adjusts the care plan and hours accordingly.
Can the family caregiver also receive private respite relief?
Yes. Many EDWP care plans include respite care authorisation — allowing a professional caregiver to relieve the family caregiver on a scheduled basis. H.E.L.P. Home Care can staff both the primary family caregiver role and respite relief within the same client’s care plan.
Why Work with H.E.L.P. Home Care for EDWP Family Caregiver Enrolment?
Not all enrolled Medicaid providers offer family caregiver enrolment, or offer it with the level of support and local knowledge that Gwinnett County families need. H.E.L.P. Home Care has helped numerous families across Lawrenceville, Norcross, Duluth, and the broader Atlanta metro navigate the EDWP process successfully — including the specific steps required to enrol a family member as a paid caregiver.
- We are enrolled Georgia Medicaid providers — we bill the state directly, clients pay nothing for covered services
- We specialise in EDWP family caregiver cases — this is not a side service, it is a core part of what we do
- We guide the application from start to finish at no charge to the family
- We handle all employment paperwork, training, background checks, timesheets, and payroll for the family caregiver
- We coordinate with the state assessor, DCH, and the Atlanta Regional Commission ARC on your behalf
- We are based in Gwinnett County — we know the local agencies, assessors, and processes
Ready to Find Out if Your Family Qualifies?
Call H.E.L.P. Home Care for a free, no-obligation consultation. We will review your loved one’s situation, explain the eligibility requirements, and walk you through every step of the EDWP application — including what it takes to enrol a family member as a paid caregiver.
There is no cost for our guidance and no commitment required to call.
404-631-6222Frequently Asked Questions
Can a family member be paid to care for an elderly parent in Georgia?
Yes. Under Georgia’s Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program (EDWP), eligible adult children, siblings, and other family members can become enrolled as paid caregivers through an approved home care agency like H.E.L.P. Home Care. The family caregiver receives a regular paycheck for providing personal care and homemaker services to a qualifying loved one.
Who can be a paid family caregiver in Georgia?
Eligible paid family caregivers in Georgia must be at least 18 years old, not the legal spouse of the client in most cases, able to pass a criminal background check, willing to complete required caregiver training, and employed through an enrolled Medicaid provider like H.E.L.P. Home Care. Adult children, siblings, nieces, nephews, and other relatives may qualify.
How much do paid family caregivers earn in Georgia?
Paid family caregivers in Georgia are compensated at an hourly rate set by the Medicaid waiver authorisation. The exact rate varies based on the services authorised and current state reimbursement schedules. H.E.L.P. Home Care handles all payroll for enrolled family caregivers — call 404-631-6222 for current rate information.
Does the elderly parent need to qualify for Medicaid?
Yes. The person receiving care must be enrolled in or eligible for Georgia Medicaid and meet the EDWP’s level of care and financial eligibility requirements. SSI recipients qualify for Medicaid automatically. Others apply through the Georgia Department of Community Health. H.E.L.P. Home Care can help assess eligibility — call 404-631-6222.
Can a spouse be a paid caregiver in Georgia?
In most cases, a legal spouse cannot serve as a paid caregiver under Georgia’s EDWP. However, adult children, siblings, and other family members who are not the client’s primary dependent may qualify. Call H.E.L.P. Home Care at 404-631-6222 to discuss your specific situation.
How do I apply to become a paid family caregiver in Georgia?
The process starts with confirming the elderly parent’s Medicaid and EDWP eligibility, completing a state needs assessment, and enrolling the family caregiver through an approved Medicaid provider like H.E.L.P. Home Care. H.E.L.P. Home Care guides families through every step at no charge. Call 404-631-6222 to get started today.
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