Family Supports Waiver
Family Supports Waiver
The Family Supports waiver (FSW) provides limited, non-residential supports to individuals with developmental disabilities who live with their families or in other settings with informal supports.
Individuals must meet home- and community-based services (HCBS) waiver eligibility and Medicaid eligibility guidelines in order to be eligible for a Medicaid HCBS waiver. To be eligible individuals must:
- Be diagnosed as having an intellectual disability prior to the age of 22
- Reside in or be transitioning into an HCBS-compliant setting (non-institutionalized)
- Have income no greater than 300% of the maximum Supplemental Security Income amount (parental income for children under 18 years of age is disregarded)
- Meet Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities/Development Disabilities (ICF/IID) level of care
What is ICF/IID Level of Care?
To be eligible for intellectual disability services, an individual must meet the required ICF/IID level of care. Level of care is the minimum need an individual must have to be considered eligible for HCBS waiver services. Level of care is evaluated when you apply and then at least once a year after that. For the purposes of ICF/IID level of care, a person must have a disability that:
- Results in impairment of functioning similar to that of a person who is intellectually disabled, including autism spectrum disorder, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, or a similar condition (other than mental illness)
- Originates before the person is 22 years of age
- Has continued or is expected to continue indefinitely
- Substantially limits the person's ability to function normally in society in three of the six major life areas: self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, and capacity for independent living
- Requires access to 24-hour assistance, as needed
Available Waiver Services
Eligible individuals may receive authorized waiver services in conjunction with Traditional Medicaid. Authorized waiver services may include:
- Adult Day Services
- Behavioral Support Services
- Case Management
- Community-Based Habilitation- Group
- Community-Based Habilitation- Individual
- Extended Services
- Facility-Based Habilitation-Group
- Facility-Based Habilitation-Individual
- Facility-Based Support Services
- Family & Caregiver Training
- Intensive Behavioral Support
- Music Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Participant Assistance and Care
- Personal Emergency Response System
- Physical Therapy
- Prevocational Services
- Psychological Therapy
- Recreational Therapy
- Respite Care Services
- Specialized Medical Equipment & Supplies
- Speech/ Language Therapy
- Transportation Services
- Workplace Assistance
The specific services that meet the needs of the individual member are identified by the member’s case manager. These services are submitted by the state agency for approval and are listed on the member’s Plan of Care (POC)/Notice of Action (NOA).
Additional Information
To apply, go to your local Bureau of Disabilities Services (BDS) District Office. There are 8 BDS District Offices throughout the State. It is helpful to apply as soon as you identify a need for waiver services.
You must also apply for Medicaid. You can learn more about applying for Medicaid by going to the Apply for Coverage webpage.