Georgia’s GAPP age-out: a parent’s timeline from 16 to 21.

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Age 16: start the plan

• Transition plan in the IEP.In Georgia, the IEP must include transition goals and services by ninth grade or age 16, whichever comes first, and update them every year. ^source
• Ask about job-readiness services (GVRA).The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency offers transition services starting at age 14. Call (844) 367-4872 to ask about Pre-Employment Transition Services. ^source
• If there is an I/DD diagnosis, apply to DBHDD now.NOW and COMP start with a DBHDD application and a planning list that is prioritized by need, and services are offered as funding permits. Applying early gets the review started. ^source

Age 17: before rights change at 18

• School rights move to your child at 18.At least one year before your child turns 18, the IEP must state that your child has been told which education rights transfer to them at 18. ^source
• Plan how decisions get made after 18.When your child turns 18, you no longer hold legal authority for them, and doctors need your child's own signature to share records. Guardianship goes through probate court, and there are less restrictive options such as powers of attorney. ^source

Age 18: benefits change

• SSI review at 18.Ask us, rules change. We haven’t been able to confirm the official wording for this one yet.
• Parent income stops counting for SSI.Ask us, rules change. We haven’t been able to confirm the official wording for this one yet.

Age 19: keep Medicaid

• Katie Beckett ends.Katie Beckett covers children 18 or younger. Before the 19th birthday, find another way to keep Medicaid, or GAPP and other Medicaid services can stop. ^source

Age 20: line up adult care

• Get ready for GAPP to end.GAPP serves children under 21. Use this year to line up adult care: ICWP for physical disability or brain injury, or NOW/COMP for I/DD, both of which can involve a wait. ^source

Age 21: GAPP ends

• GAPP ends; ICWP age opens.GAPP stops at 21. ICWP accepts adults who apply between 21 and 64. Call GMCF at (800) 982-0411; applying places you on a waiting list. ^source
• Last year of school services.Georgia schools must offer special education through age 21. At 22, your district states whether services stop on the birthday or at the end of the semester or school year. ^source

The adult programs, in plain words

ICWP

The person must have a severe physical disability or traumatic brain injury that limits daily activities and requires another person's help. ICWP is for adults who apply between ages 21 and 64. Applying places you on a waiting list. Services start as funding becomes available, which may take time. ^source

NOW and COMP

The person must have an intellectual disability that began before 18, or a related developmental disability that began before 22, that substantially limits intellectual or adaptive functioning. Apply online (fastest), in person, or by mail or fax to your DBHDD Regional Field Office. Within 14 business days of receiving it, DBHDD schedules a screening. DBHDD keeps separate planning lists for NOW and COMP, prioritized by need rather than time on the list. ^source

CCSP (Elderly and Disabled Waiver) and SOURCE

The person must have Medicaid, be 65 or older (or younger than 65 with a disability), and need nursing-home level care. SOURCE is only available in certain areas of Georgia. You must live in a county it serves. Whether a young adult who just turned 21 fits these isn’t stated on the official pages we checked. Ask us, rules change. ^source

A person can be in only one Medicaid waiver program at a time.

Official sources (checked 2026-09-27): apps.gadoe.org · gvs.georgia.gov · Apply for DD Services, DBHDD · gcdd.org · TEFRA/Katie Beckett, Georgia Medicaid · Georgia Pediatric Program (GAPP) Presentation, GAMMIS (June 2023) · Apply for Independent Care Waiver Program (ICWP), Georgia.gov · apps.gadoe.org · Apply for Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program, Georgia.gov

Related: GAPP application help · Conditions we care for · Family Caregiver