Home & Community-Based Services

Home and Community-Based Services provide supports to families to care for a loved one at home, and supports to adults to live in their own home or small residential program. Because there are long waiting lists for Home and Community-Based Services, it is important to apply and get on a waiting list, even if you do not need services right now.

Medicaid Waiver Program
The Medicaid Waiver Program allows Medicaid to pay for services that support families in caring for a loved one at home, supports to allow adults with disabilities to live in their own home or small, community-based residential program and supports to help people move out of nursing homes or other large facilities.

Family income and resources are not counted when determining Medicaid eligibility for children receiving Medicaid waiver services.

In most cases, there are long waiting lists to get services from a Medicaid waiver. It is important to apply and get on the waiting list.

Learn more about Indiana's Medicaid Waiver Program. 

Caregiver Support
Caregiver Support provides services on a short-term, as needed basis to families caring for a loved one with a developmental disability. Under state guidelines, families are not eligible for this service if the person is already receiving state funded services through the Bureau of Developmental Disability Services (BDDS), Medicaid Waivers, Vocational Rehabilitation and/or CHOICE.

Eligibility determination and placement is made through the Bureau of Developmental Disability Services. Call: 800-545-7763.

Community and Home Options to Institutional Care for the Elderly and Disabled (CHOICE)
CHOICE is a state-funded home care program which offers supports to individuals who are aged or disabled to remain in their home. Children with disabilities are eligible for CHOICE; however, family income is considered.

Eligibility determination is made by the local Area Agency on Aging (AAA).
Waiting lists may exist for the CHOICE program. Call: 800-986-3505.

Residential Services

  • Medicaid Waiver
    The Medicaid Wavier Program allows Medicaid to pay for supports to allow adults with disabilities to live in their own home or community-based residential program, supports to help people move out of nursing homes or other large facilities, and
    supports to families caring for a loved one at home.

    Family income and resources are not counted when determining Medicaid eligibility for children receiving Medicaid waiver services. In most cases, there are long waiting lists to get services from a Medicaid waiver. It is important to apply and get on the waiting list. There are now priority waivers for caregivers age 80 or older, and people who want to move out of a nursing home People in these priority areas do not have to wait on the waiting list. Learn more about Indiana's Medicaid Waiver Program.

  • Adult Foster Care (AFC)
    Adult Foster Care is a service available through the Developmental Disabilities and Autism Medicaid Waiver. It allows adults with developmental disabilities to live with a family, similar to foster care for children. However, new placements are limited and there is a waiting list for services. Eligibility determination and placement is made through the Bureau of Developmental and Disability Services. Call: 800-545-7763.

  • Group Homes
    Group homes, funded by Medicaid, typically serve six to eight people. There are limited group homes for children. Family income is not counted when determining Medicaid eligibility for children living in a Medicaid funded group home. Eligibility determination and placement is made through the Bureau of Developmental Disability Services. Call: 800-545-7763.