Common Pitfalls

Many people with disabilities live in their own places in the community with the right supports and services. If you live in an institution, such as a nursing home, and want to move to an apartment or house in the community, or if you live at home and want to stay there instead of moving to a facility, there may be supports that can help you. People who live in the community have more freedom, are happier, and can make more money by working.

If you have a disability and qualify for Medicaid, you may be able to sign up for a waiver program that will give you Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS). These services include things like personal assistance services, transportation, day programs, and more. LTSS can help you live safely in the community.

If you are in a long-term care facility and get Medicaid benefits, you can still get them if you move into the community. And, depending on your condition, you may be able to get extra benefits and Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) through a Medicaid waiver program. If you are in this situation, Medicaid will help you arrange your move out of the facility and sign up for waiver services through the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program. Waivers and LTSS make it easier to keep living in the community and get your needs met.

If you are a veteran and get your medical benefits through the VA Atlanta Health Care System, you qualify for programs that provide community-based care and adult day health care.

If you have any questions about how you can get the services you need after moving out of a long-term care facility, talk to your Medicaid case manager or call your local Aging and Disability Resource Connection site.

Finding a job can be hard, especially if you’re trying to do it by yourself. Fortunately, there are excellent resources that can help you find a job that’s right for you and give you advice and job coaching to help you keep your job.

The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA) is a good place to start. GVRA helps people with disabilities find and keep work. They offer vocational counseling, help with your job search, job training, assistive technology, and more. They also offer specialized Sensory Services for people who are blind or have low vision, or who are deaf or hard of hearing. To get GVRA services, you must have a disability, want to work, and find it difficult to find or keep a job because of your disability.

Each WorkSource Georgia Center offers a variety of free services that can help you with your job search and career planning. Center staff can help you with your job search and your resume, tell you about open positions in your area, give you advice, and more.