- What Programs Are Available To Assist People With Disabilities in Texas?
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Is there a Medicaid waiver program in Texas? Texas has several waivers including:
- Texas Northstar Behavioral Health
- Medically Dependent Children Program (MDCP)
- Youth Empowerment Services (YES)
- Community Based Alternatives (CBA)
- HCBS Program
- Community Living Assistance & Support Services (CLASS)
- Texas Star +
- Texas Star + Waiver MAO
- Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities (DBMD)
- Home Living Program
What state department handles the Medicaid waiver program for persons with disabilities in Texas? The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services handles the waivers for persons with disabilities.
What programs assist people who have developmental disabilities in Texas?
1.) The Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS) program, call 1-877-438-5658
2.)The Home and Community-based Services (HCS)What is the best number to call to get started? Call the Medicaid Hotline at
1-800-252-8263.Is there a website? https://hhs.texas.gov/
- Who Qualifies For Assistance?
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What is considered a developmental disability in Texas? A developmental disability is a severe, chronic disability that begins before the person reaches age 22 and is likely to continue throughout one’s life.
Who can get services in Texas?
• You can of be any age.
• You must qualify for care in an intermediate care facility for individuals with an intellectual disability or related conditions (ICF/IID).
• You must have a determination of an intellectual disability in accordance with state law or have a diagnosis of a related condition with an IQ of 75 or below.
• You cannot be enrolled in another waiver program.
• Your income and resources may not exceed specified limits.Are there income limits to receive services in Texas? Yes, Your income and resources may not exceed specified limits. Family income is considered when determining eligibility.
How old do you have to be to start receiving services in Texas? You can of be any age and get waiver services. Your age will help determine which waiver you go on.
- Is There a Waiting List For Services?
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How long is the waiting list for waiver services in Texas? When you call to access services in Texas you will learn of an “interest list", known by families and individuals who have a disability as actually being a “waiting list". The list varies in length depending on the Waiver program. Some people have been on the list 11+ years. There are over 3x's as many people waiting for waiver services as there are receiving them. Also, there is a transfer process when a child becomes an adult, so there may be a gap in services when a child ages out.
How many people are on the waiting list in Texas? There are 156,161 people waiting for home and community based waiver services in Texas. The waiting list in Texas is called an "Interest List". Waiting list numbers by waiver are: 6,579 for the CBA waiver; 5,034 for the Star+ Waiver; 48,169 for the CLASS Waiver; 543 for the DBMD waiver; 27,012 for the MDCP waiver, and 67,909 for the HCS waiver.
How many people are currently receiving waiver services in Texas? There are 21,000 people receiving waiver services in Texas.
What assistance is available while you wait for waiver services in Texas? If you’re looking for disability services, we recommend starting with 2-1-1.
CBA provides a lot of benefits which include Assisted Living, group homes, etc. The Medicaid number is 1-800-633-4227 or 1-800-252-8263.
Some Medicaid programs pay for short-term relief for caregivers. This is called respite. Call your local DADS office to learn more. Click here to find your local DADS office.Is there priority preference for people who are in crisis in Texas? There may be emergency assistance for people in crisis.
- What Services Are Offered & What Are The Service Limitations?
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What services does the Medicaid waiver program offer in Texas? Adaptive aids; Day habilitation; Dental treatment; Minor home modifications; Nursing; Residential assistance; Respite; Specialized therapies; Supported employment
Does Texas offer community group homes? Residential care is a 24-hour living arrangement in which the person pays room and board and keeps a monthly allowance for personal and medical expenses. The remainder of his income is contributed to the total cost of care. Assisted living facilities provide individualized health and personal care assistance in a homelike setting with an emphasis on personal dignity, autonomy, independence and privacy. Facilities can be large apartment-like settings or private residences.
The Community Based Alternatives Waiver, CBA, provides a lot of benefits which include Assisted Living, group homes, etc. The Medicaid number is 1-800-633-4227 or 1-800-252-8263.
Does Texas offer supported living? 24-hour Shared Attendant Care makes attendant care available 24-hours a day to people who live independently in clustered living arrangements. This service helps reach habilitative or rehabilitative goals. This service is available only in Houston.
Are there still state owned institutions in Texas? Texas has 13 state institutions, or state supported living centers, with over 4,000 people with developmental disabilities who live in them. Texas state supported living centers (formerly state schools) are a collection of residential facilities run by the state for people with developmental disabilities in Texas, United States. The schools, operated by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services, operate under the Federal ICF-MR program. Below is a list of the living centers:
- Abilene State Supported Living Center
- Austin State Supported Living Center
- Brenham State Supported Living Center
- Corpus Christi State Supported Living Center
- Denton State Supported Living Center
- El Paso State Supported Living Center
- Lubbock State Supported Living Center
- Lufkin State Supported Living Center
- Mexia State Supported Living Center
- Richmond State Supported Living Center
- Rio Grande State Supported Living Center
- San Angelo State Supported Living Center
- San Antonio State Supported Living Center
- How Do You Select A Provider?
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Do Texas providers work for the state? No, providers are independent agencies. Many types of providers must be licensed to operate in Texas.
About how many providers are there in the state of Texas? There are about 5000 Medicaid waiver providers in Texas.
Do you have a choice in providers in Texas? Yes, once approved for waiver services, you will have a choice of providers contracted through DADS.
- How Do You Become A Provider?
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TO BECOME A MEDICAID WAIVER PROVIDER, you must first complete a pre application orientation that contains 6 modules, each taking less than 2 hours to complete.
After completing PAO, you have 45 days to submit the application packet, checklist, forms and all information required information.
The contact number for PAO is 512-438-3550 - Additional Information
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- The Community Based Alternatives (CBA) program provides home and community-based services to people who are older or who have disabilities as a cost-effective alternative to a nursing home. CBA is available in limited areas. Contact your local Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) office to see if CBA is available in your area.
- The Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS) program provides home and community-based services to people with related conditions as a cost-effective alternative to an intermediate care facility for individuals with an intellectual disability or related conditions (ICF/IID). A related condition is a disability, other than an intellectual disability, that originated before age 22 that affects the ability to function in daily life.
- The Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities (DBMD) program provides home and community-based services to people who are deaf blind and have another disability. This is a cost-effective alternative to an intermediate care facility for individuals with an intellectual disability or related conditions (ICF/IID). The DBMD program focuses on increasing opportunities for consumers to communicate and interact with their environment.
- The Medically Dependent Children Program (MDCP) provides services to support families caring for children who are medically dependent and to encourage the transition of children in nursing homes.
- The Home and Community-based Services (HCS) program provides individualized services and supports to people with intellectual disabilities who are living with their families, in their own homes or in other community settings, such as small group homes where no more than four people live. The local authority provides service coordination.
- The Texas Home Living (TxHmL) program provides selected essential services and supports to people with an intellectual disability or a related condition who live in their own home or their family's home.