# Who qualifies for GAPP in Georgia? Four things every approved child has in common. By Ava Family Services Intake and Nursing Team, reviewed by Ava Family Services leadership. Published 2026-09-30. Source: https://www.avafamilyservices.com/guides/who-qualifies-for-gapp Publisher: Ava Family Services, LLC, (404) 905-7699, 275 Interstate North Cir SE, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30339 > A child usually qualifies for GAPP in Georgia when four things are true: they are under 21, they have Georgia Medicaid, they are medically fragile with needs in more than one body system, and a doctor orders skilled nursing or hands-on care at home. Family income is not part of GAPP's own test. It matters only for Medicaid, and Katie Beckett can cover children whose parents earn too much. ## Who qualifies for GAPP in Georgia? A child qualifies for GAPP, the Georgia Pediatric Program, when they are under 21, have Georgia Medicaid, are medically fragile, and have a doctor's order for skilled nursing or hands-on personal care at home. Georgia Medicaid's medical review makes the final decision. Ava Family Services helps Atlanta-area families check each of these before applying. ## 1. Under 21 and living in Georgia GAPP is for children and young adults under 21. The official program wording is "under the age of 20 years 11 months," so families with a teenager should plan early for what comes after GAPP. [The 21 Clock](https://www.avafamilyservices.com/tools/21-clock) builds that plan by birthday. ## 2. Georgia Medicaid Your child must have Georgia Medicaid, and your county DFCS office decides Medicaid eligibility before GAPP can approve services. This is the only place money comes in. If your family earns too much for regular Medicaid, [Katie Beckett](https://www.avafamilyservices.com/gapp-application-help/katie-beckett) can cover children 18 or younger based on the child's own needs, ignoring parent income. We don't publish income dollar limits here because they change and differ by Medicaid pathway. Ask us and we'll point you to the current rules. ## 3. Medically fragile, with needs in more than one body system Georgia Medicaid describes GAPP as a program for medically fragile children with multiple system diagnoses. In everyday terms, these are children who need ongoing skilled nursing or significant hands-on care to live safely at home. Children Ava cares for often have needs like these: - Tracheostomies - Ventilator or other respiratory support - G-tubes, J-tubes or other tube feeding - Significant trouble swallowing, or a risk of aspiration - Seizure disorders that need skilled monitoring or intervention - Cerebral palsy, [spinal muscular atrophy](https://www.avafamilyservices.com/conditions/spinal-muscular-atrophy), [muscular dystrophy](https://www.avafamilyservices.com/conditions/muscular-dystrophy), and brain or spinal cord injuries A diagnosis alone doesn't decide it. What matters is the care your child needs every day. ## 4. A doctor's order All GAPP services need a physician's order. Your child's doctor signs a plan of treatment that shows the nursing and personal care recommended, and the hours GAPP approves follow from that plan and the medical review. The more completely the doctor understands a real day at home, the better the plan reflects it. Our [guide to documenting daily care](https://www.avafamilyservices.com/guides/documenting-daily-care-for-gapp) helps. ## Who GAPP is usually not a fit for Being honest about this saves families time: - **Children whose main need is supervision or babysitting**, without daily skilled or hands-on care. - **Children who need therapy only**, such as speech, physical or occupational therapy, without nursing or personal care at home. - **Young adults 21 and older.** Adult programs such as ICWP and NOW/COMP are separate. See the [GAPP age-out timeline](https://www.avafamilyservices.com/guides/gapp-age-out-timeline). If GAPP isn't the right fit, Ava will tell you and help you find what is. ## Not sure? Ask Every child's situation is different. Call Ava Family Services at [(404) 905-7699](tel:+14049057699), Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Ava has no waitlist and is accepting new families, and the first call costs nothing. *Eligibility, medical necessity, services and authorized hours are decided by Georgia Medicaid's GAPP medical review. Ava guides your family through the process and prepares the paperwork with you.* ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the age limit for GAPP? GAPP serves children and young adults under 21. The official program wording is under 20 years 11 months, so confirm your child's exact last day of coverage with your agency. ### Do we have to be low income to get GAPP? GAPP itself has no income test, but your child must have Georgia Medicaid. If your family earns too much for regular Medicaid, Katie Beckett ignores parent income and looks at your child's needs. ### Does my child need a diagnosis from a specific list? No single list decides it. GAPP is for medically fragile children with needs in more than one body system who need skilled nursing or hands-on care, ordered by a doctor. ### Can a parent be paid through GAPP? Parents can be paid for GAPP personal care hours. At Ava this is the [Family Caregiver](https://www.avafamilyservices.com/family-caregivers) program, and an Ava nurse is always part of the child's care. ### What if I'm not sure my child qualifies? Call us. Every child's situation is different, and our team can help you understand the process and the right next step, including when GAPP is not the right fit. ## Official sources - [Waiver Programs, Georgia Medicaid](https://medicaid.georgia.gov/programs/all-programs/waiver-programs) - [Georgia Pediatric Program (GAPP) Presentation, GAMMIS (June 2023)](https://www.mmis.georgia.gov/portal/Portals/0/StaticContent/Public/ALL/NOTICES/GAPP%20Presentation%20Finalized%20June%2026%2023%202%2020230630141655.pdf) - [Community-Based Services, Georgia DCH](https://dch.georgia.gov/programs/hcbs/community-based-services) - [TEFRA / Katie Beckett, Georgia Medicaid](https://medicaid.georgia.gov/tefrakatie-beckett)