Eligibility for benefits; contracts; identification of services

(a) The persons to be served under this article are primary caregivers who provide continuous care to a functionally dependent older adult or other adult suffering from dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease. 372 49-6-74 (b) The department shall develop operating procedures and guidelines and shall contract with or through area agencies on aging to provide benefits set forth in this article. The department may also contract with other support centers or service providers directly, where such service is provided on a state-wide basis or where necessary or appropriate. The department shall have the authority to develop criteria through regulation relating to eligibility for primary caregivers to receive assistance pursuant to this article. (c) The department shall identify supportive services which are directly related to the provision of care to a functionally dependent older adult or other adult suffering from dementia. Supportive services include, but are not limited to: (1) Benefits counseling and caregiver counseling, education, and training; (2) Reimbursement to primary caregivers whose households financially qualify for assistance pursuant to Code Section 49-6-74 and as developed by regulation of the department for expenses incurred in obtaining day or night respite care services, transportation to respite care service locations, or other supportive services defined by regulation, and consumable supplies such as incontinence pads; and (3) Reimbursement to primary caregivers whose households financially qualify for assistance pursuant to Code Section 49-6-74 and as developed by regulation for expenses incurred in obtaining home modifications or assistive devices, as approved by the department, such as grab bars, safety devices, and wheelchair ramps, which help the functionally dependent older adult or adult suffering from dementia carry out tasks required for daily living. History. Code 1981, § 49-6-73, enacted by Ga. L. 1994, p. 455, § 1. 49-6-74. Provision of services; reimbursement of caregivers; maximum amounts available. (a) The department, through contracts with or through area agencies on aging and other appropriate entities, shall provide the services described in paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of Code Section 49-6-73 and shall reimburse qualified primary caregivers for purchase of approved services, equipment, and supplies described in paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (c) of Code Section 49-6-73. (b)(1) The maximum amount available to a qualified primary caregiver whose household income is under 200 percent of the federal poverty level shall be established by regulation. The department shall be responsible for developing allowable cost ranges for services 373 49-6-77 and supplies under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (c) of Code Section 49-6-73, including the development of maximum amounts available per month to a caregiver, where necessary. (2) The maximum amount available to a qualified caregiver whose household income is under 200 percent of federal poverty level shall be established by regulation but shall not exceed $2,000.00 for the entire duration of the case for expenses incurred for home modifications or assistive devices as described in paragraph (3) of subsection (c) of Code Section 49-6-73. (3) A sliding benefits scale shall be established by the department by regulation to ensure that caregivers who qualify under this article and whose household income exceeds 200 percent of the federal poverty level shall pay some portions of the out-of-pocket expenses for services, equipment, and supplies described in subsection (c) of Code Section 49-6-73. In no event will persons whose household income exceeds 400 percent of the federal poverty level be considered eligible for state funded services, equipment, or supplies under this article but such persons may purchase such services through this program by paying the entire cost of such services. History. Code 1981, § 49-6-74, enacted by Ga. L. 1994, p. 455, § 1. 49-6-75. Entitlements not created.