Mobility Equipment Funding & Resources in Georgia

What Is Different About Georgia

No Medicaid Expansion, So the Coverage Gap Is Real

Georgia has not expanded Medicaid, which means many working-age adults earn too much for traditional Medicaid but cannot afford marketplace coverage. Georgia Pathways offers a narrow alternative with work or activity requirements attached, and it does not function as broad expansion. The practical consequence for equipment is that the assistive technology loan program, nonprofit sources, and vocational rehabilitation carry more weight here than in expansion states. Do not assume Medicaid is the answer before checking.

CCSP and SOURCE Both Have Limited Slots

Georgia's two main community care routes for older adults and people with disabilities are the Community Care Services Program and SOURCE, both administered regionally rather than from a single state office. Both are capped, so availability depends on where you live and when a slot opens. Contact your Area Agency on Aging to be screened for both at once rather than applying to one and waiting to see.

Metro Atlanta Has the Suppliers, South Georgia Does Not

Medicare-enrolled suppliers concentrate heavily in metro Atlanta, with reasonable coverage around Augusta, Columbus, Macon, and Savannah. Across the southern and rural counties, coverage thins considerably and repair response is the weak point rather than delivery. Vocational rehabilitation is worth a call statewide but especially here, since it can fund equipment needed for work when Medicaid is unavailable, which in a non-expansion state is a common situation.

Medicaid Coverage in Georgia

Georgia has not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Eligibility is limited to traditional categories: low-income families with children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities who meet specific income and resource thresholds. If you do not qualify for Medicaid, other programs listed below may help you obtain mobility equipment.

Key Medicaid Programs

Georgia Assistive Technology Program

The Tools for Life (Georgia Assistive Technology Program) is Georgia's federally funded assistive technology program. These programs help people with disabilities access the equipment they need through several services:

• Equipment demonstrations - Try before you buy. Test wheelchairs, scooters, and other mobility aids before committing to a purchase.
• Equipment loans - Borrow equipment temporarily while waiting for insurance approval or to determine if a device meets your needs.
• Equipment reuse and exchange - Access refurbished wheelchairs, walkers, and other equipment at reduced cost or free.
• Financial loans - Low-interest loans specifically for assistive technology purchases.
• Information and referral - Expert guidance on navigating insurance, finding suppliers, and locating funding sources.

Area Agency on Aging

The Georgia Division of Aging Services connects older adults and caregivers with local services including:

• Referrals to mobility equipment programs and funding sources
• Home modification assistance and safety assessments
• Caregiver support services
• Benefits counseling (Medicare, Medicaid, VA)
• Connections to local meal delivery, transportation, and social services

State Programs for Seniors and People with Disabilities

Nonprofit & Community Resources in Georgia

These organizations serve Georgia residents with free or low-cost mobility equipment, home modifications, and related services:

Veterans Resources in Georgia

Veterans in Georgia have access to both federal VA benefits and state-level veteran services. The VA provides wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, and home modifications at no cost to eligible veterans through VA medical centers.

For a complete guide to VA mobility equipment benefits, see our VA Benefits for Mobility Equipment article.

Vocational Rehabilitation

Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA) helps people with disabilities prepare for, obtain, and maintain employment. If a wheelchair, scooter, or other mobility equipment is necessary for you to work or participate in vocational training, VR may fund the equipment as part of your employment plan. This is an often-overlooked funding source.

Finding Medicare-Approved DME Suppliers in Georgia

Georgia has a wide network of Medicare-enrolled DME suppliers. Use the Medicare.gov Supplier Directory to find approved suppliers near you. In competitive bidding areas (which include the Atlanta metropolitan area and other major Georgia metros), you must use a contract supplier for full Medicare coverage.

To search for Medicare-enrolled DME suppliers, visit the Medicare.gov Supplier Directory and enter your zip code. When choosing a supplier, confirm they accept Medicare assignment and are a contract supplier if you live in a competitive bidding area.

How to Get Started

1. Check your insurance first. If you have Medicare, Medicaid, VA benefits, or private insurance, contact them about wheelchair or mobility equipment coverage. Use our Medicare Coverage Checker to find out what Medicare covers.
2. Contact your state AT program. Reach Tools for Life (Georgia Assistive Technology Program) at 1-800-497-8665 for equipment demos, loans, and referrals.
3. Call your Area Agency on Aging. Contact Georgia Division of Aging Services at 1-866-552-4464 for local resource referrals.
4. Apply to Medicaid waiver programs. If you qualify for Medicaid, ask about HCBS waiver programs that cover mobility equipment and home modifications.
5. Reach out to nonprofits. Apply to multiple organizations simultaneously, as processing times vary.
6. Explore used and refurbished options. Equipment lending closets, reuse programs, and community exchanges can provide immediate access.