There are a variety of options in Georgia to help disabled individuals with some of their needs. If you have disabilities you may have heard of different benefits that may be available to you, including Medicaid, but may have wondered what it is. In general, Medicaid is available for disabled individuals who do not have income sufficient to meet the cost of their medical care, low-income families, the aged and blind, as well as others.
For disabled individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income, they are automatically eligible for Medicaid benefits. For disabled individuals, it is important to know how to qualify for Medicaid. To be eligible to receive Medicaid, the applicant will need to establish disability, if that is what the application for Medicaid is based on, and provide their income, resources and age. In general, disclosure of your income and expenses, medical information and some other types of information is required. Additional, or different, information may be required to be eligible for Medicaid based on the circumstances the applicant is applying based on.
Supplemental Security Income is an option available through the Social Security Administration for disabled individuals that may not meet employment history requirements to receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. Social Security disability is based on work history and some disabled individuals may be in need of disability benefits but not have the necessary work history benefits. In both cases, if the disabled individual suffers from a medical condition that prevents them from working and is expected to last longer than 12 months or result in death, they may be eligible for benefits.
There are different options available to disabled individuals to ensure that their medical and daily needs are met. If you are struggling to meet your medical care needs and other needs because of a disability, it is important to be familiar with those options and how to qualify and apply.
Source: Georgia Department of Community Health, “Medicaid FAQs,” Accessed Aug. 28, 2016
