Waivers & Funding
Critical Needs Funding
Each county board of developmental disabilities in Ohio handles funding for people served a bit differently. The Miami County Board of Developmental Disabilities uses a targeted and individualized “Critical Needs Funding” model to address specific needs. Critical Needs Funding can be used for needs such as accessibility, adaptability and emergencies. For more information on Critical Needs Funding, contact your Miami County Board of Developmental Disabilities Service and Support Administrator or Early Intervention Service Coordinator.
What is a Waiver?
Waivers are one way to pay for services that support someone with developmental disabilities living on their own, with family, with a roommate or with a provider through Ohio Shared Living. The department administers three different waivers: the Individual Options Waiver, the Level One Waiver, and Self-Empowered Life Funding Waiver.
Waivers pay for approximately 60% of a person's services and must be paired with local funds from the County Board of DD to make up the remaining 40%. This is commonly referred to as a waiver match. The waiver match is paid by county boards, such as the Miami County Board of Developmental Disabilities, using funds from local levies.
A waiver is a way for Medicaid to help pay for the support services individuals need to live in the community. Individuals must be eligible for Medicaid to receive a waiver. The County Job and Family Services office helps individuals determine if they are eligible for Medicaid. The County Board of Developmental Disabilities’ Service and Support Department determines which waiver an individual would be eligible for based on assessed needs. Meeting the criteria for Immediate Need and/or Current Need does not guarantee enrollment in a locally funded home and community-based services waiver within a specific timeframe.
Types of Waivers
Individual Options Waiver
The Individual Options Medicaid Waiver is a funding source to support living in the community.
Self-Empowered Life Funding Waiver
The Self-Empowered Life Funding Medicaid Waiver is a participant-directed funding source to address service needs and improve flexibility and creativity for individuals and their families.
Level 1 Waiver
The Level 1 Medicaid Waiver is a limited funding source to promote health and safety.
*Medicaid Waivers can cover a variety of services, including: homemaker/personal care, career planning, nutrition, money management, remote support, adaptive and assistive equipment, interpreter services, transportation and more.
Participant-Directed Waiver Services
People enrolled in Individual Options (IO), Level One, or Self-Empowered Life Funding (SELF) waivers can choose to direct some of their waiver services. Participant-direction means the person using a waiver can make some decisions about the staff they hire or some of the services purchased with their waiver budget. Participant-direction is a requirement of the SELF Waiver. A person enrolled in the SELF Waiver must be willing and able to direct at least one service, or they may choose a representative to direct at least one service on their behalf.
Waiver Waiting List
A waiting list is the County Board's way of keeping track of all the people who have a Current Need.
Immediate Need
Immediate Need is a situation that creates a risk of substantial harm to an individual, caregiver, or another person if action is not taken within thirty calendar days to reduce the risk as determined by the County Board based upon assessment of the individual using the waiting list assessment tool.
Current Need
Current Need is an unmet need for home and community-based services within twelve months, as determined by the County Board based upon assessment of the individual using the waiting list assessment tool.
How Many Waiting Lists Are There?
County Boards will have one waiting list that includes all Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waivers administered by the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD), including the Individual Options (IO) waiver, the Level One waiver, and the Self Empowered Life Funding (SELF) waiver. Individuals' Waiting List Assessment date determines their placement on the waiting list.
For more information about Medicaid Waivers or waiting lists, please contact us.
You may also contact your service coordinator (SSA) or visit dodd.ohio.gov.