Get on the List! It is Important for Your Child’s Future.

When my daughter was young, I wasn’t thinking about where she would live as an adult, how burnt out and overwhelmed I would be or even how drastically her needs would change as she matured into adulthood. I’m glad my sister gave me the push to get her on “the list” or Medicaid Waiver interest list early. 

What is a Medicaid Waiver? In Texas, there are services that “waive” the need for nursing home or institutional care. The waivers promote independence for people with disabilities. They provide funding for the necessary supports and services that allow a person with a disability to live in the community. 

The two most common Medicaid Waivers are Home and Community-based services (HCS) and Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS). There are others that are more needs-based, such as the Deaf Blind and Multiple Disabilities (DBMD) Waiver, Medically Dependent Children’s Program (MDCP), Youth Empowerment Services (YES) Waiver, Texas Home Living (TxHmL) and the Star PLUS Medicaid Waiver. 

Each program has different eligibility requirements. You can learn more about each waiver using this comparison chart. It includes eligibility criteria, income limits and details on what services each waiver provides. You can also find an explanation of the waivers on the Navigate Life Texas website Waivers pages.  

My daughter is now 28 years old. When she was 23, her name came to the top of the HCS Medicaid Waiver interest list. Some of the benefits available to her include day habilitation programs, behavioral, occupational and speech therapies, as well as attendant care. These specialists come into her home to help her with her daily living skills. 

We also have access to two thousand dollars in dental care per year at the dental center of her choice and adaptive aids. Her Medicaid Waiver pays for a specially designed pair of eyeglasses to fit her specific facial structure. 

Recently, my daughter lost her ability to communicate the way she once did verbally. Using her HCS Medicaid Waiver funds, we were able to get her an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device to promote communication. 

The services provided are essential for a person with a disability, as well as their families. As a single mom, the support we receive from my daughter’s HCS Medicaid Waiver has saved my mental health! I have peace of mind knowing that she has the tools needed to improve her quality of life. 

There is no price tag for the support the services provided by our Medicaid Waiver have given us. 

If no one has told you to get your child’s name on the interest lists, do it today! All it takes is a phone call. To get on the CLASS interest list, call 877-438-5658.  For HCS, contact your Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authority (LIDDA). Each county has its own LIDDA. Find your LIDDA.