Medicaid is a federal program that provides comprehensive medical benefits to low income families, individuals who are medically needy, and individuals who are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or certain other federal programs.
Most people who have a developmental disability are eligible for SSI unless their financial resources exceed the maximum allowed. (At age 18, parents’ income is no longer included in their financial resources, only the students’ personal income and assets are considered).
To learn more about disability benefit applications, go to http://www.ssa.gov/disability/.
The Social Security Administration determines SSI eligibility.
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission determines Medicaid eligibility only after a person does not meet SSI eligibility.
What are Medicaid Waivers?
Texas Medicaid Waiver Programs are available for disabled Texans of all ages, with a diagnosis of intellectual disability, autism or pervasive developmental disorder (Some programs require that a diagnosis of a developmental disability be confirmed during the developmental years).
The waiver programs allow the states to offer Medicaid funded services and supports to persons in their own home or in other home-like settings in the community. These waivers do not look at the parent’s income but are based on the applicants’ income and resources.
Because the demand for community-based services and supports often outweighs available resources, applicants’ names may be placed on a chronological and dated interest list until services are available. Applicants are placed on these lists on a first-come, first-served basis. When a person’s name comes to the top of the list, he or she will be contacted by a caseworker who will then determine eligibility.
At that time, persons must meet disability criteria for admission to that specific program; call each waiver for more information.
Some needs may be met through other programs until an applicant’s name comes to the top of the list.
