Wave Shape
two children playing under umbrella on seashore
two children playing under umbrella on seashore
two children playing under umbrella on seashore

Katie Beckett Waiver

Medicaid Access for Children With Complex Needs

The Katie Beckett Waiver helps children qualify for Medicaid based on their medical needs rather than family income. For many Georgia families, it becomes the path to receiving in-home support through GAPP.

About the Katie Beckett Waiver

About Katie Beckett

When Traditional Medicaid
Isn’t a Viable Option

When Traditional Medicaid Is Not a Viable Option

Many children need nursing or personal care at home, but their families don’t always qualify for Medicaid based on income. The Katie Beckett Waiver exists for these situations: it evaluates the child’s medical needs, not household finances.

The Katie Beckett waiver gives eligible children access to Medicaid-funded services that help them grow, participate, and remain safely at home.

These services may include:

Nursing and personal care (through programs like GAPP)

Nursing and personal care (through programs like GAPP)

Nursing and personal care (through programs like GAPP)

Specialist visits and therapies

Specialist visits and therapies

Specialist visits and therapies

Medical equipment, supplies, and medications

Medical equipment, supplies, and medications

Medical equipment, supplies, and medications

Home-based supports that reduce long-term facility placement

Home-based supports that reduce long-term facility placement

Home-based supports that reduce long-term facility placement

School or therapy assistance

School or therapy assistance

School or therapy assistance

Respite care options

Respite care options

Respite care options

Shape
Shape

Katie Beckett + GAPP

How It Relates to GAPP

GAPP is funded by Medicaid, so many families qualify for GAPP after receiving Medicaid through Katie Beckett. In other words, Katie Beckett doesn’t provide care services directly: instead, it opens the door to the programs that help.

Katie Beckett

Helps families access Medicaid funding

Helps families access Medicaid funding

Helps families access Medicaid funding

Medicaid

Provides funding for GAPP and other programs

Provides funding for GAPP and other programs

Provides funding for GAPP and other programs

GAPP
Provides services to families in need

General Eligibility Criteria

Who Qualifies for Katie Beckett?

A child may be eligible if they:

Are under 18

Are under 18

Are under 18

Have a disability or medical condition requiring ongoing support

Have a disability or medical condition requiring ongoing support

Have a disability or medical condition requiring ongoing support

Need a level of care typically provided in a hospital or specialized facility

Need a level of care typically provided in a hospital or specialized facility

Need a level of care typically provided in a hospital or specialized facility

Can safely receive that care at home with Medicaid support

Can safely receive that care at home with Medicaid support

Can safely receive that care at home with Medicaid support

Parents’ income is not considered; the focus is on the child’s needs and medical documentation.

How to apply

What You’ll Need to Submit

What You’ll Need
to Submit

The Katie Beckett application requires several medical documents and state reviews, and it can feel overwhelming the first time you go through it.

We help families understand what’s needed, organize the paperwork, and prepare for the approval steps, including the medical evaluations and the Level of Care review. Once your child is approved, we can guide you toward next steps for GAPP services.

Shape
Shape

Talk to Us About Katie Beckett

Our team will call you as soon as possible to explain next steps.

Talk to Us About Katie Beckett

Our team will call you as soon as possible to explain next steps.

Talk with Us About the Katie Beckett Waiver

Our team will call you to explain next steps.