What is the Katie Beckett Waiver and how does it work in Georgia?

This is made possible through the Katie Beckett Waiver — one of the most powerful and least known tools available to Georgia families navigating disability and complex medical care.

The history behind the name

The waiver is named after Katie Beckett, an Iowa girl who in the early 1980s was kept in a hospital at enormous cost to Medicaid because her family's income was too high for her to qualify for home-based Medicaid benefits. President Reagan personally intervened and changed the rules, allowing children with severe disabilities to qualify for Medicaid based on their own needs rather than parental income. That change has since helped millions of families across America — including thousands in Georgia.

How it works in Georgia

In Georgia the Katie Beckett Waiver — sometimes called the TEFRA option — allows a child with a disability or serious medical condition to be assessed for Medicaid eligibility based solely on the child's own income and assets, not those of the parents. Since children rarely have income or assets of their own, most children with qualifying conditions are approved regardless of what their parents earn.

Who qualifies?

To qualify through the Katie Beckett Waiver in Georgia your child must:

• Be under 18 years of age
• Have a physical or mental disability that meets the Social Security Administration's definition of disability
• Require a level of care typically provided in a hospital, nursing facility or intermediate care facility
• Be able to receive that care safely at home at a lower cost to Medicaid than institutional care

Why does this matter for GAPP?

GAPP requires Georgia Medicaid eligibility. For many families whose income would normally make them ineligible for Medicaid, the Katie Beckett Waiver is the pathway that unlocks GAPP and other vital services for their child. Families who assume they won't qualify because of their income are often surprised to discover their child is fully eligible.

How to apply in Georgia

Applications are made through the Georgia Department of Human Services. The process involves a medical evaluation and documentation from your child's physician confirming the diagnosis, level of care needed and that home care is appropriate. The application can feel complex — but you don't have to navigate it alone.

A Heart for Care helps families understand and navigate the Katie Beckett and GAPP application processes. Our team works alongside your child's physician and the relevant Georgia agencies to ensure your application is complete, accurate and submitted correctly.