If you are a family caregiver in Georgia’s Structured Family Caregiving (SFC) program, you may need to complete a comprehensive background check before receiving payments for caregiving. Background checks help keep vulnerable individuals safe by making sure caregivers meet state requirements.
Starting February 3, 2025, new rules from the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) will require all SFC caregivers to complete a fingerprint-based background check. Caregivers must submit their fingerprints through an approved system and pass a review before they can continue in the program.
In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to complete the process.
Georgia’s Structured Family Caregiving program is a Medicaid program that lets family members receive financial compensation for taking care of a loved one at home. Instead of hiring outside help, Medicaid pays a tax-free daily stipend to eligible family caregiver to provide daily care, helping aging loved ones or those with disabilities stay in a familiar environment.
Because caregivers in this program play such an important role in their loved one’s well-being, caregivers must meet state requirements, including passing a criminal background check to help protect those receiving care.
Background checks help keep vulnerable Medicaid recipients safe by making sure caregivers have no serious criminal history that could put them at risk. The Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) requires all Structured Family Caregiving (SFC) caregivers to complete a fingerprint-based check before they can receive payments.
This process helps identify any past criminal record that may disqualify a person from providing care. By following these rules, the state works to protect older adults and individuals with disabilities, making sure they receive care from trusted and qualified family members.
The Georgia Criminal History Check System (GCHEXS) is used for more than just the Structured Family Caregiving (SFC) program. It allows licensed healthcare facilities to conduct state and federal fingerprint-based background checks on individuals working in long-term care settings.
The following healthcare facilities licensed by the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) are required to conduct background checks:
Fingerprint-based background checks are required for:
Direct access means working closely with patients, providing hands-on care, monitoring, or assistance, as well as having access to residents’ personal property, financial information, or medical records.
Certain licensed professionals may be exempt from fingerprinting requirements if their license is verified through the applicable licensing board.
Starting February 3, 2025, all caregivers in Georgia’s Structured Family Caregiving (SFC) program must complete a fingerprint-based check. This update, issued by the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), applies to both new and existing caregivers.
Previously, some caregivers may have been able to provide care without fingerprinting, but under the new rules, all caregivers must comply. The process includes submitting fingerprints through the GCHEXS system and passing a review before continuing in the program. Caregivers who do not complete this requirement by the deadline may lose eligibility for payments.
Criminal record checks are not public records. They are only accessible to authorized agencies for background screening purposes.
Even caregivers already providing service must complete the new fingerprint-based criminal background check, if you have not done so before.
Once you complete this process, you will be placed into the Rap Back system, meaning:
The following steps help you complete your background check process:
The fingerprinting fee is $51.99. Check with your SFC provider to see if they cover the cost or if you need to pay it yourself. Note: Givers covers the cost of background checks for potential members.
After submitting your fingerprints, background check results typically take 10-15 business days. You can check your status in the GCHEXS portal.
It depends. If you recently completed a fingerprint background check for another DCH-regulated role, you may be able to reuse your records. However, most caregivers will need to submit new fingerprints under the updated 2025 requirements.
If you believe your results contain mistakes, you can challenge or correct your criminal record:
Some past offenses may not disqualify you, depending on how long ago they happened. However, violent felonies and sexual offenses generally lead to automatic disqualification, even if they occurred years ago. The Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) reviews each case based on state regulations.
If your background check is unsatisfactory, you will receive a Disposition Letter from the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH). This letter explains why you were denied and may request additional documents.
If you believe the decision is wrong or there are errors in your report, you can appeal the decision:
Background checks are an important requirement of the Structured Family Caregiving program. For more details, visit the GCHEXS portal and Georgia Medicaid website.
