Georgia Medicare Savings Program Income Limits 2026
Every year between February and April, Georgia DFCS updates its financial limits charts in the PAMMS manual to reflect new federal poverty guidelines. If your parent applied last year and was denied, it's worth checking again — the numbers shift upward annually with inflation adjustments.
2026 Monthly Income Limits by Program
These are the net countable income ceilings after Georgia applies the standard $20 monthly unearned income disregard:
| Program | Individual | Couple |
|---|---|---|
| QMB (100% FPL) | ~$1,330 | ~$1,801 |
| SLMB (120% FPL) | ~$1,596 | ~$2,161 |
| QI (135% FPL) | ~$1,816 | ~$2,426 |
| QDWI (200% FPL) | ~$2,630 | ~$3,550 |
What "Countable Income" Actually Means
The limits above aren't gross income numbers. DFCS calculates countable income using SSI-related budgeting rules under Section 1902(r)(2) of the Social Security Act. The most important deduction: a flat $20 per month is automatically subtracted from unearned income before comparing against the thresholds.
So a senior receiving $1,340 in monthly Social Security has a countable income of $1,320 — which falls under the QMB limit of ~$1,330. That $20 gap has real consequences: families comparing gross income against the published limits often self-disqualify when their parent actually qualifies.
For earned income, DFCS subtracts any unused portion of the $20 general disregard, then an additional $65 earned income exclusion, and then 50% of the remaining gross earnings. A parent working part-time may qualify at gross income levels well above the table.
What Counts as Income
- Social Security retirement and disability payments (RSDI)
- Private pensions and fixed annuities
- VA pensions (though Aid and Attendance and Housebound portions are excluded)
- Interest and dividend income
For married couples living together, income from both spouses is combined and evaluated against the couple standard — regardless of which spouse holds title to the income.
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The COLA Timing Gap
Social Security's cost-of-living adjustment takes effect in January, but federal poverty guidelines update in the spring. Between January and roughly April each year, Georgia DFCS is required to disregard the January COLA increase when evaluating MSP eligibility. This prevents a small COLA bump from temporarily pushing someone over the limit before the poverty guidelines catch up.
If your parent received a denial in January or February, it's worth confirming the caseworker applied the COLA disregard correctly.
Social Security Fairness Act Impact
The repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset (signed January 2025, retroactive to January 2024) increased Social Security benefits for retired teachers, firefighters, police officers, and other public-sector retirees. Some Georgia seniors saw their monthly payments rise enough to approach or cross MSP thresholds. Applying the $20 disregard and any earned income exclusions correctly becomes especially important for these beneficiaries.
The Georgia Medicare Savings Programs & Extra Help Guide walks through the exact income calculation step by step, with worksheets that show precisely where your parent's countable income lands relative to each program tier.
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