The Developmental Disabilities Home and Community-Based Waiver (DD Waiver) provide funding that assists children and adults with developmental disabilities to receive services in their home communities instead of institutional facilities.  In order to qualify for wavier services, an individual must:

• Have mental retardation or a specific related condition, and

• Have a developmental disability that began prior to age 22; and

• Need a combination of specialized interdisciplinary services that are lifelong or of extended duration and individually planned; and

• Meet financial and medical criteria for care in an Intermediate Care Facility for the Mentally retarded (ICF/MR).

(See Definition of Developmental Disabilities)

The application process requires a demonstration of both financial and medical eligibility for services. Step one is to complete a waiver services registration form at your local Income Support Division (ISD) office.  The Income Support Division office will send a copy of your registration form to the Department of Health Long Term Services Division Regional Office in your area.  Be sure to keep a copy of this form, stamped and dated, to prove that you have registered with Income Support Division.

You should receive a packet from the Long Term Services Division LTSD) after your registration form has been submitted that includes a Central Registry Match for Services Form and Authorizations for Release of Information.  You may also request the documents from your Regional Office.  Complete the Match for Services Form and return the form to your Regional Office.  Be sure to keep a copy for your records.

Complete the Authorizations and send them to all doctors, schools, healthcare agencies and other individuals and agencies that may have records about you and your disability, requesting that they release these records to Long Term Services Division in order to determine your eligibility for services. 

You will be notified by Long Term Services Division of your eligibility for waiver services in a letter.  The eligibility determination process can take several months and you may contact your Regional Office to ask about the status of your application.  In some cases, they may notify you that they need additional information in order to determine your eligibility.  Whenever you call the regional office, be sure to note the date and time of the call and with whom you spoke and provide any additional information requested promptly.

You will receive written notice of your eligibility determination from the Regional Office.  You may need to wait several years until your name reaches the top of the waiting list or registry for services.  You can continue to contact your Regional Office to learn the status of your application and the expected wait for services.  Keep good records of your contacts with the Regional Office, and be sure to let them know if your address changes.

Once your name has reached the top of the list, you will be notified that you have been ALLOCATED for Developmental Disability Waiver services, and you will receive a Letter of Interest and Primary Freedom of Choice form to select a case management agency.  Return these forms as promptly as possible.  The case management agency should contact you to learn about you and to discuss services available through the waiver. After you have returned the letter of interest and Freedom of Choice, you will receive a Letter of Allocation from Long Term Services Division with further instructions for both you and your case manager.