Georgia Community Care Services Program (CCSP): Your Comprehensive Guide

The Georgia Community Care Services Program (CCSP) stands as a vital resource for elderly and disabled residents of Georgia. This program is specifically designed to offer Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), aiming to support individuals who are functionally impaired and face the risk of needing nursing home care. By providing tailored support at home or in community settings, CCSP plays a crucial role in helping Georgians maintain their independence and quality of life while delaying or preventing the need for institutionalization. The program’s benefits are diverse, ranging from personal emergency response systems and adult day care to respite care and essential assistance with everyday activities such as mobility, personal hygiene, meal preparation, and managing household tasks.

Understanding the Community Care Services Program

Georgia’s Community Care Services Program (CCSP) is fundamentally a Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) program tailored for Georgia residents who are aging or living with disabilities. It targets individuals who experience functional limitations that place them at risk of requiring nursing home placement. The core objective of CCSP is to empower these individuals to continue living in their homes or within community-based settings for as long as safely and practically possible. The specific services offered are customized to meet the unique needs and circumstances of each participant, ensuring that the support provided is both relevant and effective. These services encompass a broad spectrum of assistance, including help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). ADLs cover fundamental self-care tasks like eating, bathing, and dressing, while IADLs are more complex activities such as managing finances, preparing meals, and handling transportation.

Participants in the CCSP program have flexibility in their living arrangements. Beyond their own homes or the homes of family members, they can also reside in personal care homes, which offer a supportive environment akin to assisted living facilities. It’s important to note that adult foster care homes are not considered an eligible residential setting under the CCSP guidelines.

A distinctive feature of CCSP is the option for “Personal Support Consumer Direction.” This empowers participants to take control over their personal care services by choosing their own caregivers. This self-direction option enables individuals to select someone they trust and who understands their needs. While this can include adult children or other relatives, there are restrictions; for instance, spouses and parents of minor children are not eligible to be hired as paid caregivers under this program. To manage the administrative and financial aspects of employing a caregiver, such as handling taxes, payments, and conducting background checks, a financial management services agency is utilized. It’s worth noting that this self-direction option is not available to those residing in personal care homes.

It’s crucial to understand that CCSP is not an entitlement program. This means that even when an individual meets all eligibility criteria, enrollment in the program is not guaranteed immediately. CCSP operates with a limited number of enrollment slots. When these slots are fully subscribed, eligible applicants are placed on a waitlist, and the duration of time spent on the waitlist can vary.

The Community Care Services Program is administered under Georgia’s Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program (EDWP), which operates as a 1915(c) Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid Waiver. It’s one of two key programs operating under the Elderly and Disabled Medicaid Waiver; the other is the Service Options Using Resources in a Community Environment (SOURCE) program.

Understanding 1915(c) HCBS Medicaid Waivers

Historically, Medicaid’s coverage for long-term care was primarily limited to services provided within nursing homes. The introduction of 1915(c) HCBS Medicaid Waivers marked a significant shift, enabling states to offer Medicaid benefits for services delivered outside of institutional settings. The acronym “HCBS” stands for Home and Community Based Services. The central goal of these waivers is to reduce or prevent the need for institutional care by supporting individuals in more community-integrated settings. These settings can include a person’s own home, the home of a relative, assisted living facilities, or adult foster care/adult family living environments. Waivers are often targeted towards specific populations who require a Nursing Home Level of Care and are at risk of institutionalization, such as the elderly, individuals with disabilities, or those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. It is important to remember that these waivers are not entitlement programs, meaning that meeting the eligibility criteria does not automatically guarantee enrollment due to the limited number of participant slots available.

Benefits Offered by the Community Care Services Program

The Georgia Community Care Services Program (CCSP) provides a comprehensive suite of long-term services and supports designed to meet the diverse needs of its participants. The specific services an individual receives are determined through a personalized care plan, ensuring that support is tailored to their unique requirements. Notably, the program offers the option for self-directed personal care assistance, giving participants greater control over who provides their care. The benefits available under CCSP include:

Adult Day Health Care: This service offers supervised medical care and therapeutic services during daytime hours in a community-based group setting. It’s designed for individuals who need ongoing health monitoring and therapeutic interventions such as physical, occupational, or speech therapy, but who do not require 24-hour institutional care.
Alternative Living Services: These services provide 24/7 supervision and personal care assistance within a personal care home environment. This is an option for those who need a higher level of support and a residential setting that offers continuous care.
Assistive Technology: CCSP can provide access to assistive technology devices and services. These are designed to help individuals maintain or improve their functional capabilities and independence in their daily lives.
Case Management & Enhanced Case Management: Standard case management involves coordinating and overseeing the various services a participant receives. Enhanced case management takes this a step further by actively integrating HCBS with the participant’s primary medical care, ensuring a holistic approach to health and well-being.
Financial Management Services: Specifically for participants who choose to self-direct their personal care, these services handle the financial responsibilities associated with employing a caregiver. This includes managing payroll, taxes, and conducting necessary background checks.
Homemaker Services: This benefit offers assistance with essential household tasks that can become challenging for individuals with functional limitations. Services include help with shopping for groceries and essential items, preparing meals, and performing light housekeeping to maintain a safe and healthy home environment.
Meal Delivery: For individuals who have difficulty preparing meals for themselves, CCSP provides meal delivery services. This ensures they receive nutritious meals regularly, supporting their dietary needs and overall health.
Personal Emergency Response Services (PERS): PERS provides an added layer of safety and security. Participants receive a personal emergency response system that allows them to call for help in case of a fall or other emergency situations, providing peace of mind for both the individual and their family.
Personal Care Assistance: This is a core benefit, offering direct assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, eating, mobility, and toileting. This support is crucial for individuals who need hands-on help to manage these essential daily tasks.
Respite Care: Recognizing the importance of family caregivers, respite care offers temporary care for the CCSP participant. This allows the primary caregiver to take a break from their caregiving duties, whether for a few hours, a day, or even a short vacation, promoting caregiver well-being and preventing burnout.
Skilled Nursing / Home Health Aides: These services bring professional medical care into the participant’s home. Skilled nursing can include medication management, wound care, and health monitoring, while home health aides can assist with personal care and health-related tasks under the supervision of a nurse.
Structured Family Caregiver: This unique service provides financial support and supportive services to family members who live with and care for a CCSP participant. Supportive services can include counseling and health education. To qualify, the caregiver must be related by blood or marriage, but cannot be the participant’s spouse.
Therapy Services: CCSP facilitates access to in-home therapy services, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. These therapies are vital for helping individuals regain, maintain, or improve physical and cognitive functions.
Transitional Services: For individuals moving from an institutional setting (like a hospital or nursing home) back into a community setting, transitional services are available. These services include pre-discharge coordination, ongoing case management in the community, and support in setting up a new living environment. They also offer supportive services like training and education to promote independence and prevent future institutionalization.

It is important to note that while CCSP provides a wide range of support, it does not cover the costs of room and board for individuals residing in personal care homes. Participants are responsible for these living expenses separately.

Eligibility Requirements for the Community Care Services Program

To be eligible for Georgia’s Community Care Services Program (CCSP), applicants must meet specific criteria related to residency, age, and functional and financial needs. The program is designed for residents of Georgia who are either elderly (aged 65 or older) or younger individuals (under 65) with physical disabilities. It’s important to note that individuals who enroll in CCSP before reaching the age of 65 can continue to receive program benefits after they turn 65, provided they continue to meet other eligibility requirements.

For a preliminary assessment of whether you might qualify for Georgia Medicaid, which is a prerequisite for CCSP, the American Council on Aging offers a helpful online Georgia Medicaid Eligibility Test. Take the test.

Financial Eligibility: Income, Assets, and Home Ownership

Financial eligibility for CCSP is determined by specific income and asset limits set by Medicaid. These limits are subject to change, so it’s important to verify the current figures.

Income Criteria:

The income limit for CCSP eligibility is capped at 300% of the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR). This rate is adjusted annually in January. For 2025, the monthly income limit for an applicant, regardless of marital status, is $2,901. If both spouses are applying for CCSP, each spouse is assessed individually and can have a monthly income up to $2,901.

When only one spouse is applying for CCSP, the income of the non-applicant spouse is not considered when determining the applicant spouse’s income eligibility. Furthermore, to protect the financial well-being of the non-applicant spouse, Medicaid allows for a portion of the applicant spouse’s income to be transferred to the non-applicant spouse as a Spousal Income Allowance, also known as the Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (MMMNA).

In Georgia for 2025, the maximum amount of income that can be transferred to the non-applicant spouse is $3,948 per month. This provision is intended to ensure that the non-applicant spouse has at least this minimum monthly income to meet their living expenses. If the non-applicant spouse already has an income equal to or greater than this amount, they are not eligible for a Spousal Income Allowance.

Asset Limits:

In 2025, the asset limit for a single CCSP applicant is $2,000. For married couples where both spouses are applicants, the combined asset limit is $3,000. When only one spouse is applying for CCSP, Medicaid still considers the assets of both spouses when determining eligibility because Medicaid views the assets of a married couple as jointly owned.

In cases where only one spouse is applying, the applicant spouse is generally limited to $2,000 in countable assets, while the non-applicant spouse is permitted to retain a larger share of the couple’s assets under the Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA). For 2025, the CSRA in Georgia allows the non-applicant spouse to keep assets up to $157,920.

It’s important to note that not all assets are counted towards Medicaid’s asset limit. Certain assets are considered exempt or non-countable. These typically include:

The applicant’s primary home (under certain conditions, detailed below).
Household furnishings and appliances.
Personal effects, such as clothing and jewelry.
One vehicle.

It is critical to be aware of Medicaid’s Look-Back Rule, which pertains to asset transfers. Giving away assets or selling them for less than fair market value within 60 months (5 years) prior to applying for long-term care Medicaid can result in a Penalty Period of Medicaid ineligibility. Georgia Medicaid enforces this Look-Back Rule to prevent applicants from improperly reducing their assets to meet eligibility criteria.

To help determine if your assets might exceed Medicaid’s countable limits, and if so, to estimate the potential excess amount, you can use a Medicaid Spend Down Calculator. Use our Spend Down Calculator.

Home Ownership and Medicaid Eligibility:

The home is often a significant asset, and many applicants worry about its status when applying for Medicaid. For CCSP eligibility, Georgia Medicaid provides exemptions that protect the home from being counted as a countable asset under specific conditions:

Residency or Intent to Return: If the applicant currently lives in the home or has a clear “Intent to Return” to the home, and the home equity interest is $730,000 or less in 2025, the home is typically exempt. Home equity is defined as the current market value of the home minus any outstanding mortgage balance. Equity interest refers to the portion of the home’s equity owned by the applicant.
Spouse Living in the Home: If the applicant has a spouse who continues to live in the home, it is also generally considered exempt, regardless of the applicant’s intent to return.
Dependent Relative in the Home: If a dependent relative of the applicant resides in the home, it may also be exempt. Dependent relatives can include a child, grandchild, in-law, parent, aunt, uncle, sibling, niece, nephew, or cousin.

While the home may be exempt from countable assets during Medicaid eligibility determination and while receiving CCSP benefits, it is important to be aware that the home might still be subject to Medicaid’s Estate Recovery Program after the Medicaid recipient’s death. This program allows the state to seek reimbursement from the deceased recipient’s estate for the cost of long-term care services provided. It is important to understand the potential implications of estate recovery. Learn more about the potential of Medicaid taking the home.

Medical Eligibility: Functional Need

In addition to financial criteria, applicants for the Community Care Services Program must also meet specific medical or functional needs criteria. Specifically, an applicant must demonstrate the need for an Intermediate Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC). For CCSP, this translates to being functionally impaired due to a physical condition and having unmet care needs.

The assessment tool used to determine functional impairment for CCSP is the Determination of Need Functional Assessment-Revised (DON-R). This assessment evaluates an individual’s ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) independently. These activities encompass essential tasks such as transferring from a bed to a chair, mobility, eating, personal hygiene (like bathing and dressing), toileting, meal preparation, managing finances, and performing housework. Cognitive impairments, such as memory loss and disorientation often associated with dementia, are also taken into consideration during the DON-R assessment.

To further evaluate whether the NFLOC need is met, the Minimum Data Set Home Care (MDS-HC) assessment tool is used. This assessment is conducted in person by a registered nurse. Similar to the DON-R, the MDS-HC also assesses ADLs, IADLs, and cognitive abilities. Furthermore, to finalize the medical eligibility determination, a physician must certify that the applicant requires a Nursing Facility Level of Care.

While conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are recognized as qualifying physical conditions that can lead to functional impairment, a diagnosis of dementia alone does not automatically guarantee that an individual will meet the criteria for NFLOC. The assessment process comprehensively evaluates the extent of functional and cognitive impairment to determine medical eligibility for CCSP.

Learn more about long-term care Medicaid in Georgia.

Qualifying for CCSP When Over Income or Asset Limits

It’s important to know that exceeding Medicaid’s income and/or asset limits does not automatically disqualify an applicant from receiving benefits. There are several Medicaid planning strategies that can be legally and ethically employed to help individuals who would otherwise be ineligible to qualify for programs like CCSP. Some of these strategies are relatively straightforward, while others are more complex and require professional guidance. Here are some of the most common and effective strategies:

For individuals with income that exceeds Medicaid limits, Miller Trusts, also known as Qualified Income Trusts (QITs), can be a valuable tool. These trusts work by redirecting “excess” income into the trust account. Once income is deposited into a Miller Trust, it is no longer counted towards the applicant’s income for Medicaid eligibility purposes. The funds in the trust can then be used for specific allowable purposes, such as the patient’s share of cost for care.

When an applicant’s assets are over Medicaid’s limits, Irrevocable Funeral Trusts (IFTs) are a commonly used option. IFTs are pre-paid funeral and burial expense trusts. Funds placed in an IFT are considered to be set aside for future funeral expenses and are not counted as countable assets by Medicaid. This allows applicants to reduce their countable assets while planning for future expenses.

For individuals with more substantial “extra” assets, Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts can be a more comprehensive solution. These are irrevocable trusts specifically designed to hold assets in such a way that they are no longer counted towards Medicaid’s asset limit. However, it is crucial to establish these trusts well in advance of needing Medicaid long-term care services, as they are subject to Medicaid’s Look-Back Rule. Assets transferred into these trusts within the 60-month look-back period may incur a penalty.

Beyond these, there are various other Medicaid planning techniques available to help individuals who have assets exceeding the allowable limits. These strategies can be tailored to individual circumstances and financial situations. Explore other Medicaid planning options.

It is critical to emphasize that inadequate or improperly implemented Medicaid planning can lead to denial or delays in receiving Medicaid benefits. Professional Medicaid Planners are experts in the intricacies of Medicaid eligibility rules and planning strategies in Georgia. They possess in-depth knowledge of the available legal and financial tools to help individuals meet Medicaid’s financial eligibility criteria without jeopardizing their access to care. Moreover, skilled Medicaid planners can also advise on advanced strategies that not only facilitate Medicaid eligibility but also offer opportunities to protect assets for family members as inheritance. However, these more complex strategies often involve actions that fall under Medicaid’s 60-month Look-Back Rule and should only be undertaken with careful planning and professional guidance. Medicaid Planners are aware of potential workarounds and compliant strategies within these rules. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that anyone considering Medicaid planning, especially when over income and/or asset limits, consult with a qualified Medicaid Planner for personalized assistance. Find a Certified Medicaid Planner.

How to Apply for the Community Care Services Program

Applying for the Community Care Services Program (CCSP) involves a structured process to ensure that applicants meet all eligibility requirements and can access the services they need.

Steps to Take Before You Apply

Before initiating the formal application for CCSP, it is advisable to take some preparatory steps to ensure a smoother application process.

First and foremost, thoroughly review the eligibility criteria for CCSP, particularly the financial and medical requirements discussed earlier. Applying for CCSP when you are over the income and/or asset limits without proper Medicaid planning will likely result in a denial of benefits. Utilize resources like the American Council on Aging’s Medicaid Eligibility Test to get a preliminary indication of whether you might meet Medicaid’s eligibility criteria. Take the Medicaid Eligibility Test.

Gathering necessary documentation is a crucial step before applying. Having all required documents ready will help prevent delays in processing your application. Examples of documents you will likely need include:

Copies of Social Security cards.
Medicare cards.
Life insurance policies.
Property deeds.
Pre-need burial contracts.
Bank statements for up to 60 months prior to the application date.
Proof of all sources of income.

A common reason for application delays is missing or incomplete documentation, or failure to submit documents in a timely manner. Being prepared with all necessary paperwork from the outset can significantly expedite the process.

It is also important to be aware that the Community Care Services Program is not an entitlement program, and therefore, there may be a waitlist for program participation. The Elderly and Disabled Medicaid Waiver, which authorizes CCSP, has a limited number of participant slots per year. Within these slots, a certain number are specifically reserved for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias and for those transitioning out of institutional settings back into the community through programs like Money Follows the Person. If a waitlist exists, placement on the waitlist is typically prioritized based on the urgency and level of an applicant’s need for supportive services. In some instances, an applicant who applies later but demonstrates a higher level of need may receive a participant slot before someone who applied earlier.

For Georgia residents needing long-term care, it’s also worth noting the Services Options Using Resources in Community Environments (SOURCE) Program. SOURCE offers similar benefits to CCSP but is specifically for individuals who are also recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Learn more about the SOURCE program.

CCSP Application Process: Step-by-Step

To formally apply for the Community Care Services Program, the primary point of contact is your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA). You can find the contact information for your local AAA through the state’s official website. Find your local Area Agency on Aging. Alternatively, you can call the statewide helpline at 866-552-4464 for assistance in connecting with your local AAA.

The initial step in the application process usually involves a telephone screening conducted by the AAA. During this screening, they will gather preliminary information to assess whether you are likely to meet the basic eligibility criteria for CCSP. If the initial screening suggests potential eligibility, the next step is to schedule an in-home functional needs assessment. This assessment is crucial for determining the level of care and services you require.

Applicants who are not already enrolled in Georgia Medicaid will also need to apply for Medicaid separately through the Department of Human Services’ Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS). You can download a Medicaid application from the DFCS website. Download Medicaid Application. Another option is to apply online through the Georgia Gateway portal. Apply Online via Georgia Gateway. Your local Area Agency on Aging can often provide assistance with navigating the Medicaid application process, so don’t hesitate to ask for help from them. Learn more about CCSP on the Georgia government website.

The Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), in partnership with the Area Agencies on Aging (AAA), administers the Community Care Services Program. However, the determination of financial eligibility for CCSP is handled by Georgia’s Department of Human Services’ Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS). Visit the Georgia Department of Community Health Website and the Division of Family and Children Services Website.

Approval Process and Expected Timeline

The Medicaid application process, which is a prerequisite for CCSP, can take a considerable amount of time. From the initial application submission to receiving a determination letter (indicating approval or denial), it can typically take up to 3 months, and in some cases, even longer. Initially, it may take several weeks to gather all the necessary documentation and complete the application forms thoroughly. Incomplete applications or missing documentation are common causes of delays.

Federal regulations mandate that Medicaid offices have up to 45 days to process applications for most categories and up to 90 days for disability-based applications. Despite these guidelines, delays beyond these timeframes can occur. If there is a waitlist for the Community Care Services Program, even after Medicaid approval, applicants may have to wait for many months before actually receiving program benefits. The wait time can vary depending on the availability of slots and the assessed level of need.

Conclusion

The Georgia Community Care Services Program (CCSP) offers invaluable support to elderly and disabled Georgians, enabling them to receive necessary care in their homes and communities, and avoid or delay nursing home placement. By understanding the benefits, eligibility requirements, and application process, individuals and their families can effectively navigate the system to access these crucial services. CCSP not only enhances the quality of life for participants but also provides peace of mind for their loved ones, knowing that compassionate and professional support is available. For those considering CCSP, reaching out to your local Area Agency on Aging is the recommended first step to begin the journey toward accessing these helpful services.

Please remember to consult with a qualified professional for personalized advice regarding Medicaid and long-term care planning.

Image alt text: Smiling senior woman receiving in-home care assistance from a caregiver, representing Georgia Community Care Services Program.

Image alt text: Medicaid Planning Assistance logo, a resource for navigating Medicaid eligibility and long-term care planning.