Medicaid Waivers
Do you have a loved one with a developmental disability? It can be hard to know how to find the right supports.
Virginia’s Medicaid Waivers help individuals with developmental disabilities live their best lives. These waivers can help you access respite, personal care, assistive technology, employment assistance, nursing, and behavioral supports.
But it can be challenging to understand the waiver process. We’re here to help.
This is a quick guide to help; if you have more questions, please call RACSB support coordinators.
FAQ
What is a Developmental Disability Waiver?
The DD Waiver provides supports and services for individuals with a developmental disability. The waiver is designed to help individuals lead full and active lives in their community. These waivers provide funding for supports and healthcare and are not dependent on family income.
It’s important to note:
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Not everyone who requests a DD waiver will be found eligible.
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Everyone found eligible is added to a waitlist.
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A committee that decides who receives the waiver picks the person who has the greatest need for the DD Waiver services.
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Some people wait for many years before they receive one of the DD Waivers.
Who should apply for a DD Waiver?
This waiver is designed for individuals with a developmental disability. Eligibility is based on an assessment known as VIDES (Virginia Individual Developmental Disability Eligibility Survey).
To qualify, individuals must have a diagnosis of intellectual or developmental disability by a credentialed professional.
When should I apply?
As soon as possible. Thousands of people are on waiting lists for waivers. Do not wait until you desperately need services to apply.
How do I apply for a waiver?
Your local community services board is the single point of entry for DD Waiver assessments. If you live in Fredericksburg or the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, or Stafford, the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board is your connection to waiver services. Call for a screening:
Caroline County Residents: 540-834-7492
Fredericksburg City Residents: 540-834-6302
King George County Residents: 540-834-7492
Spotsylvania County Residents:
Last name starting A-M: 540-834-6302
Last name starting N-Z: 540-834-7706
Stafford County Residents:
Last name starting A-M: 540-623-7520
Last name starting N-Z: 540-809-2975
What happens after I apply?
A support coordinator will walk you through the process and make sure you have what you need to apply.
Most likely, if you qualify for a waiver, you will be placed on a waiting list. This list is not chronological but is based on your level of needs. You will be placed on a priority level after your assessment. These levels are 1, 2, and 3 and they can change as your situation or need of supports change.
People assigned with a priority level 1 will be considered when waiver slots become available. It is important to let your support coordinator know if your situation changes because that could change your priority level.
What are the different types of waivers?
There are three types of waivers: Building Independence, Family and Individual Supports and Community Living. See a helpful graph of the waivers and which services they provide here.
Building Independence waivers are for adults 18 years and older who are able to live mostly independently.
Family and Individual Supports waivers are available to both children and adults. People with this waiver may live with their family, friends, or in their own homes. Some people may need functional, behavioral or medical supports.
Community Living waivers are available to both children and adults. People with this waiver usually require supports in their homes all the time and some may need to live in homes with staff to support them.
How are waivers assigned?
When waiver slots are available, individuals in the highest priority category are considered. Support coordinators write a summary of the needs which is submitted to the Waiver Slot Assignment Committee. This group of volunteers scores individuals based on their needs, and these scores determine who receives a waiver slot.
How many waivers are available?
This varies from year to year. The number of slots available is included in the state budget. Those slots are then allocated to 40 community services boards across the state, relative to the number of people on the waiting list. A few more waiver slots will become available as individuals move out of state or pass away.
What if I’m in a crisis?
There are a few emergency waivers. Please call to see if you qualify. Also, Virginia offers crisis services for individuals with developmental disability through the REACH program.
Adult Crisis Line #(855) 917-8278 Adult REACH
Children’s Crisis Line #(888) 908-0486 Children’s REACH
Learn more about crisis services for individuals with developmental disabilities here.
What services will the waiver provide?
There are three types of DD Waivers:
Building Independence
Family and Individual
Community Living
Placement in the waivers is determined by your level of need and the supports you desire. All three waivers offer assistive technology, environmental modifications, supported employment, group day services, community engagement, community coaching, and crisis services.
The Family and Individual and Community Living Waivers also offer respite, personal assistance, companion care, nursing, and supported living services. The Community Living Waiver also offers sponsored residential and group home residential services.
Please note: This is not a comprehensive list. Find a full list here.
Are there resources available while I wait for a waiver?
The Individual and Family Support Program provides funding for those on the waiting list. Go here to sign up for updates on the IFSP. Here are first steps for the program.
RACSB offers respite services for adults with developmental disability. This service is funded by the waiver, but for families without a waiver, we offer a sliding-scale fee.
There are also crisis services available through REACH. Individuals served by Rappahannock Area Community Services Board should contact the Northern Virginia REACH program:
Adult Crisis Line #(855) 917-8278 Adult REACH
Children’s Crisis Line #(888) 908-0486 Children’s REACH
You may also qualify for the CCC Plus Waiver while you wait. Please contact your health department or department of social services for details.
How to start the process?
Call to be screened for eligibility for the Developmental Disability Waiver. RACSB staff will determine if you meet the state’s definition of a developmental disability and meet other criteria. They will meet with you to assess your situation and needs and will determine if you have a priority level of 1, 2, or 3.
To schedule a screening, call:
Caroline County Residents: 540-834-7492
Fredericksburg City Residents: 540-834-6302
King George County Residents: 540-834-7492
Spotsylvania County Residents:
Last name starting A-M: 540-834-6302
Last name starting N-Z: 540-834-7706
Stafford County Residents:
Last name starting A-M: 540-623-7520
Last name starting N-Z: 540-809-2975
Residential Services
Living in the community means having a lifestyle tailored to your interests. At RACSB, we provide this lifestyle for adults with a developmental disability. Our residential programs offer an array of services to fit a wide range of needs.
Respite Care
Myers Drive provides more than a break from caregiving–it also offers guests a mini-vacation filled with fun activities, outings and friendships. Whether they stay for a couple of hours or a couple of weeks, guests will receive quality care in a homelike setting.
Day Support Services
For the individuals in our day support program, each day holds the promise of a new activity. Rappahannock Adult Activities gives individuals the chance to pursue their passions, learn new skills, and develop friendships. With supports tailored to each individual, our day support program serves individuals with varying levels of developmental disability.