How to Qualify for Services

To receive services, people must be eligible for a Medicaid Home and Community-Based Waiver (HCBS). The application process and eligibility requirements depend on the waiver needed. All waivers require Medicaid. People with disabilities applying for Medicaid should apply for disability benefits too. There is also a process that excludes parent income for children who meet waiver eligibility. When contacting the local DHHS office to apply for Medicaid, mention that you want your child assessed for the waiver.

Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waivers

Comprehensive Developmental Disabilities (CDD) Waiver; Developmental Disabilities Adult Day (DDAD) Waiver; and Family Support Waiver (FSW)

To be eligible, a person must have a developmental disability diagnosed by a licensed psychologist or medical doctor and substantial limitations in these three areas:

Conceptual skills, such as language, reading, money, time, number concepts, and self-direction
Social skills, interpersonal skills, social responsibility, self-esteem, gullibility, wariness, social problem solving, and the ability to follow laws and rules and to avoid being victimized
Practical skills (such as activities of daily living), personal care, job skills, healthcare, mobility, and the capacity for independent living

There are not enough funds available for all DD waiver requests. When the level of care requirement is met, and Medicaid approved (or for a Medicaid-eligible child) there will be placement on the DD registry. DD Waiver services are offered when funding becomes available.

For the CDD and DDAD waivers, DDD uses an objective assessment process (OAP) to base funding on needs through an assessment.

Aged and Disabled (AD) Waiver

To be eligible to receive AD Waiver services, a person must be on Medicaid, have a disability or be over the age of 65, meet nursing facility level or care, and have a need for waiver services. HCBS waivers allow federal Medicaid and state funds which would otherwise be used in institutional settings to pay for home and community services. Once eligible, a person will receive services and funding is based on individual need.

When not on a different Medicaid HCBS Waiver, a Service Coordinator (SC) can be requested, who will: