Benefits

Georgia Benefits for Older Adults

Georgia has many programs that can help older adults pay for health care, drugs, food, energy bills, and property taxes on their home. This page lists each kind of help in Georgia, what it pays for, and where to apply. The state agency makes the final decision on who gets help. You may qualify even if you own your home or get Social Security.

Kinds of benefits in Georgia

The agency decides who qualifies. The limits below are the published figures — use them to see whether applying is worth your time.

Social Security in Georgia

Social Security pays monthly benefits to retired workers, people with disabilities, and family members of workers who have died. Field offices can help you apply, replace a card, change your benefit information, and apply for Extra Help with drug costs. Many tasks can be done online or by phone at 1-800-772-1213.

Medicaid for Older Georgians (ABD Medicaid)

Medicaid in Georgia for people 65 or older, blind, or disabled is called ABD Medicaid. It can pay for care that Medicare does not pay for, like long stays in a nursing home, help at home, some dental care, and hospice. In 2026, the income limit is $994 a month for one person and $1,491 for a couple, with resources up to $2,000 or $3,000. Long-term care has a higher income limit of $2,982 a month for one person. If you get SSI, you get Medicaid on its own. The state decides if you qualify.

Georgia notes

• Georgia is a Section 1634 state: people who get SSI get Medicaid without a separate Medicaid application.
• Georgia did not fully expand Medicaid. Adults under 65 who are not aged, blind, or disabled may qualify only through Georgia Pathways to Coverage, which has a work and activity rule.

Medicare Savings Programs in Georgia

Medicare Savings Programs help pay your Medicare costs, like the Part B premium, co-pays, and deductibles. In Georgia for 2026, QMB helps people with income up to $1,350 a month for one person. SLMB helps up to $1,616 a month, and QI up to $1,816 a month. Resources must be $9,950 or less for one person, or $14,910 for a couple. The state decides if you qualify.

Georgia notes

• QMB pays Medicare Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, and co-pays. SLMB and QI pay the Part B premium only.
• Getting a Medicare Savings Program signs you up for Extra Help with drug costs on its own.

SNAP Food Benefits in Georgia

SNAP helps people with low income buy food. In Georgia, your benefits come on an EBT card that works like a debit card. If you are over 60 and your household lives on a fixed income, you may qualify for Senior SNAP, a simpler path. If you are 60 or older, your medical costs may count in a way that raises your benefit, and you can own your home and still get SNAP. The state decides if you qualify.

Georgia notes

• Georgia has a Senior SNAP path for people over 60 whose household has a fixed income, like Social Security, and no one working (georgia.gov).
• Benefits come on an EBT card. Households with very little income may get expedited benefits within 7 days.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in Georgia

SSI pays monthly cash to people who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled and have very little income and few resources. For 2026, the federal part pays up to $994 a month for one person and $1,491 for a couple. Your resources must be $2,000 or less for one person, or $3,000 for a couple. The home you live in does not count. In Georgia, people who get SSI also get Medicaid. Social Security decides if you qualify.

Georgia notes

• Georgia is a Section 1634 state, so people who get SSI also get Medicaid without a separate application.
• Georgia does not add a regular state payment on top of SSI for people living on their own.

Extra Help with Drug Costs in Georgia

Extra Help is a federal Medicare program that pays most of your Part D drug costs if your income and savings are low. It can save thousands of dollars a year on premiums, deductibles, and co-pays. If you get a Medicare Savings Program or SSI, you may get Extra Help on its own. Free help to compare drug plans is available from Georgia SHIP at 1-866-552-4464. The federal government decides if you qualify.

Georgia notes

• Free, unbiased help comparing Part D plans is available from Georgia SHIP at 1-866-552-4464, option 4.

Energy Help in Georgia (LIHEAP)

LIHEAP helps Georgia households with low income pay heating and cooling bills. For 2026, household income must be at or below 60 percent of the state median income — $34,549 a year for one person. People age 65 or older could apply first when cooling help opened on April 1, 2026. You apply through the Community Action Agency for your county. The agency decides if you qualify.

Property Tax Relief for Older Georgia Homeowners

Georgia gives older homeowners extra property tax relief through homestead exemptions. If you are 65 or older, you may get $4,000 off your county taxes when your income is low — and Social Security and retirement income do not count up to a high limit, so many retired people qualify. At 62, you may also get school tax relief. You apply with your county tax office by April 1. The county decides if you qualify.

Aging Services in Georgia (Division of Aging Services)

The Georgia Division of Aging Services and local Area Agencies on Aging help people age 60 and older and the people who care for them. They can help you find meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support, and benefits you may have missed. Call 1-866-552-4464 to reach the Aging and Disability Resource Connection. Help is free.

Free Medicare Counseling in Georgia (Georgia SHIP)

Georgia SHIP is the Georgia name for the free Medicare counseling program, also called GeorgiaCares. Counselors can explain Medicare, compare plans, help with appeals, and check if you may qualify for programs that lower your costs, like the Medicare Savings Programs and Extra Help. They do not sell insurance. Call 1-866-552-4464 and choose option 4.

Applying for Benefits in Georgia (DFCS / Georgia Gateway)

Most Georgia benefit programs run through the Division of Family and Children Services. You can apply for food help, health coverage, and Medicare Savings Programs in one place online through Georgia Gateway, or at the DFCS office for your county. Bring proof of who you are, where you live, your income, and your bank accounts. The agency makes the final decision.

Good to know in Georgia

• Medicaid for people 65 or older, blind, or disabled in Georgia is ABD Medicaid. In 2026 the income limit is $994 a month for one person and $1,491 for a couple, with resources up to $2,000 or $3,000 (Georgia Department of Community Health, 2026 ABD limits). Long-term care uses a special income level of $2,982 a month.
• Georgia Medicare Savings Programs in 2026 go up to $1,350 a month for QMB, $1,616 for SLMB, and $1,816 for QI for one person, with resources up to $9,950 for one person and $14,910 for a couple.
• Energy help in Georgia is LIHEAP, run by the Department of Human Services through local Community Action Agencies. Income must be at or below 60 percent of the state median income — $34,549 a year for a household of one for 2026 cooling help — and people 65 or older could apply first.
• Homeowners 65 or older may claim a $4,000 homestead exemption from county taxes when household income is $10,000 or less, not counting Social Security and retirement income up to the federal limit (Georgia Department of Revenue). Homeowners 62 or older may get added school-tax relief and a floating exemption.
• Free Medicare counseling in Georgia is Georgia SHIP (also called GeorgiaCares), run by the Division of Aging Services. Call 1-866-552-4464 and choose option 4.
• Most benefits are applied for in one place: Georgia Gateway (gateway.ga.gov) online, by phone at 1-877-423-4746, or a county Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) office. Georgia has 12 Area Agencies on Aging covering all 159 counties.

Free local help

Three national programs connect you to help in your own community, at no cost: