Some family members may be able to receive payment for caring for an eligible loved one through an approved Georgia Medicaid service arrangement, including Structured Family Caregiving where applicable. It is not automatic: participant eligibility, the authorized service model, caregiver relationship, living arrangement, training, and provider requirements must all be confirmed.
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 is "nursing home level of care." EDWP 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 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
AGE
Must be at least 18 years old
RELATIONSHIP
Adult children, siblings, nieces, nephews — not the client's legal spouse in most cases
BACKGROUND CHECK
Must pass a criminal background check through H.E.L.P. Home Care
TRAINING
Must complete required caregiver training provided by H.E.L.P. Home Care before beginning paid care
EMPLOYMENT
Must be employed by an enrolled Medicaid home care agency — H.E.L.P. handles all payroll
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 specific 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 — escort services included in some authorised care plans
The specific services and hours approved are determined by the state needs assessment. 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?
Compensation depends on the approved service model and the provider agreement. Some arrangements use agency employment and hourly pay; Structured Family Caregiving uses a different payment structure. Ask the provider to confirm the rate, payment schedule, covered responsibilities, and any employment or tax implications in writing.
An approved paid-caregiver arrangement may provide financial support, but families should understand the actual payment terms and responsibilities before relying on anticipated income.
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.
1
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.
2
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.
3
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.
4
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.
5
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. 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.
Why Work with H.E.L.P. Home Care?
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.
✓ Enrolled Georgia Medicaid providers — we bill the state directly, clients receive authorized services subject to any assessed cost share
✓ We specialise in EDWP family caregiver cases — this 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
404-631-6222
Free EDWP eligibility consultation — no obligation
H.E.L.P. Home Care guides Gwinnett County families through every step of the paid family caregiver enrolment process at no charge.
Frequently 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 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?
Compensation depends on the approved service model and the provider agreement. Some arrangements use agency employment and hourly pay; Structured Family Caregiving uses a different payment structure. Ask the provider to confirm the rate, payment schedule, covered responsibilities, and any employment or tax implications in writing.
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 level of care and financial eligibility requirements. SSI recipients qualify automatically. Others apply through the Georgia Department of Community Health.
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 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 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. We guide families through every step at no charge. Call 404-631-6222 to get started today.
Official Georgia resources
Confirm current eligibility, authorized services, and any client contribution with the state or your case manager.
