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Maximum Income for a Family of Three for Medicaid in Georgia

In Georgia, the Department of Community Health administers the U.S. Medicaid program. Georgia has developed numerous programs to assist low-income individuals, families, pregnant women, children disabled people and others who qualify. Each program has its own eligibility criteria, but Georgia has established guidelines (in conjunction with federal requirements) that must be met by applicants to all Medicaid programs. Being an entitlement program, Medicaid is available to anyone who qualifies. For a family of three, there are at least six programs for which you may be eligible.

  1. Eligibility Guidelines

    • Georgia has more than 20 different Medicaid coverage categories, or "classes of assistance," each with its own eligibility criteria. But, no matter which Medicaid program you apply to, you must be a U.S. citizen or a lawfully admitted alien; be a Georgia resident with the intention to permanently reside in the state; apply for and accept any other benefits that pay for medical expenses; agree to assign such benefits to the Georgia Department of Community Health; and meet Georgia income and assets guidelines (which vary among programs). You may be eligible for Medicaid if you're 65 or older, you're a child (under 18), you think you're pregnant, you're legally blind, you have a disability or you require nursing-home care.

    Low-Income Medicaid (LIM)

    • The LIM program is designed for adults and children who qualified under the former Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program. The LIM income guidelines are based on Georgia's current TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy families) criteria. As of February 2011, families must meet the following monthly income limits: one family member, $235 per month; family of two, $356; family of three, $424; family of four, $500.

    RSM Adults and Newborns

    • Georgia RSM is the "Right from the Start" Medicaid program for pregnant women and their infants. The program is based on a family income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). The FPL for a family of three in 2010 was $18,310; 200 percent of $18,310 is $36,620 ($36,624 in Georgia). As of Feb. 2011, for a family of one, the RSM monthly income limit is $1,805 per ($21,660 per year); for a family of two, it's $2,429 per month ($29,148 per year); for a family of three, $3,052 per month ($36,624 per year); and for a family of four, $3,675 per month ($44,100 per year). Add $624 a month for each additional person.

    RSM Children: 185 Percent

    • This "Right from the Start" Medicaid is based on an FPL percentage of 185 and is designed for families with a child under age 1. As of Feb. 2011, a family of three is permitted to earn $1,670 per month ($20,040 per year); a family of two, $2,247 per month ($26,964 per year); a family of three, $2,823 per month ($33,876 a year); a family of four, $3,400 per month ($40,800 a year). For each additional family member, add $578 per month, or $6,936 a year.

    RSM Children: 133 Percent

    • Families with children age 1 through 5 qualify if their income is not more than 133 percent of the FPL. As of Feb. 2011, a one-person family can earn $1,201 per month ($14,412 per year). A family of two is limited to $1,615 a month ($19,380 per year). Three-person families can make $2,030 per month ($24,360 per year). Four-person families are limited to $2,444 per month ($29,328 a year). Each additional family member raises the limit by $415 a month.

    RSM Children: 100 Percent

    • The RMS-100% program is for families with children 6 through 19 whose family's income is at or below 100 percent of the FPL. As of Feb. 2011, a family of one is allowed a monthly income of $903 ($10,836 per year); a family of two, $1,215 per month ($14,580 per year); a family of three, $1,526 per month ($18,312 per year); and a family of four, $1,838 per month ($22,056 per year). Add $312 for each additional person.

    Medically Needy

    • The Medically Needy program is for those who don't qualify for other Medicaid programs. It covers blind, disabled and elderly people, as well as children and pregnant women. It allows people to use incurred or unpaid medical bills to reduce or "spend down" the difference between their earnings and established income limits in order to become eligible. As of Feb. 2011, for a one-person family, the monthly income limit is $208 per month; for a two-person family, $317; for a three-person family; $375; for a four-person family, $442 per month. There also are resource limits of $1,000, $2,000, $2,100 and $2,200 for families of one, two, three and four, respectively.

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