Medicaid waivers were developed to encourage people with disabilities to access services in their own homes and communities, as opposed to receiving services in an institution, nursing facility, or intermediate-care facility. Waivers allow states to “waive” certain requirements, specifically the requirement that individuals live in institutions in order to receive funding.

Medicaid is a state-federal program that provides health care coverage for lower-income people, families with children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. It also provides long-term care for eligible individuals through the Medicaid waiver programs. Medicare is a federal program that provides health care coverage primarily for seniors.

Virginia has many kinds of Medicaid waivers, so it depends on the kind of waiver. The people Hope House supports have a Family & Individual Supports Waiver or a Community Living Waiver, which cover residential support services, day support, supported employment, respite care, assistive technology, therapeutic consultation, and more.

Financial eligibility for a Medicaid waiver is based only on the income and assets of the individual who is applying. Other income and assets, such as parents’ or guardians’ incomes, are disregarded.

Contact the intake specialist at your local Community Services Board (CSB) to request a screening. If your child or family member does not already have a support coordinator at your local CSB, he or she will be assigned one at that time.

Unfortunately, Virginia currently has a waiting list for waivers, with priority given to people who meet the criteria for the Urgent Waiting List. With the recent decision by the Department of Justice, however, Virginia will be making thousands more waivers available over the next ten years. Your CSB support coordinator will be able to tell you more.