Illinois currently has six waivers that are open to children. All are HCBS 1915(c) Medicaid waivers. Three of these programs waive parental income; three do not. View Illinois’ HCBS waiver page.

Illinois Advocacy Organizations:

Last updated 9/8/23

Programs in Illinois

Also called MFTD Waiver, DSCC Waiver, DSCC Home Care Program

  • Target Population: Children who are technology dependent and medically fragile. Most children have a trach, vent, or central line.
  • Ages: All ages, but must enter the program before age 21
  • Levels of Care: Hospital and Nursing Facility
  • Income Waiver: Yes, the waiver is based on the child’s income only. Parent income is not counted.
  • Waiver Type: 1915(c)
  • Spots: 2020
  • Expiration Date: 8/31/2027
  • Description from medicaid.gov: Provides respite, specialized medical equipment and supplies, certified nursing assistant (CNA), environmental accessibility adaptations, family training, in-home shift nursing, nurse training, and placement maintenance counseling services for individuals who are medically fragile and technology dependent, ages 0 to no maximum age.
  • Online State Information: HCBS Waiver Page for the MFTD Waiver
  • Official Federal Information
  • How to Apply: Go to Specialized Care for Children to download an application. Contact your local office to submit an application.
  • Waiting List: None
  • Advocacy/Support Group: MFTD Waiver Families

Also called Children’s Support Waiver, Home-Based Waiver

  • Target Population: Children with developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, or autism.
  • Ages: 3-21
  • Levels of Care: Intermediate Care Facility
  • Income Waiver: Yes, the waiver is based on the child’s income only. Parent income is not counted.
  • Waiver Type: 1915(c)
  • Spots: 1440
  • Expiration Date: 6/30/2027
  • Description from medicaid.gov: Provides adaptive equipment, assistive technology, behavior intervention and treatment, self direction assistance, home accessibility modifications, personal support, temporary assistance, training and counseling services for unpaid caregivers, and vehicle modification services for individuals with autism, intellectual disabilities, and developmental disabilities, ages 3 to 21 years.
  • Online State Information: Children’s Support Waiver page
  • Official Federal Information
  • How to Apply: Call the helpline at 1-888-DD-PLANS or 1-866-376-8446 (TTY) or find your DHS Developmental Disability office. Call the office to submit an application and be placed on the waiting list.
  • Waiting List: Illinois currently has 19,304 individuals with developmental disabilities on its waiting list. Children are rarely able to access this waiver unless they have an emergency need.

Also called Children’s Residential Waiver

  • Target Population: Children with developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, or autism who require out-of-home placement.
  • Ages: 3-21
  • Levels of Care: Intermediate Care Facility
  • Income Waiver: Yes, the waiver is based on the child’s income only. Parent income is not counted.
  • Waiver Type: 1915(c)
  • Spots: 295
  • Expiration Date: 6/30/2027
  • Description from medicaid.gov: Provides child group home, adaptive equipment, assistive technology, behavior intervention and treatment for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, and intellectual disabilities, ages 3-21 years.
  • Online State Information: Children’s Residential Waiver page
  • Official Federal Information
  • How to Apply: Call the helpline at 1-888-DD-PLANS or 1-866-376-8446 (TTY) or find your DHS Developmental Disability office. Call the office to submit an application and be placed on the waiting list.
  • Waiting List: Illinois currently has 19,304 individuals with developmental disabilities on its waiting list.
  • Target Population: Persons with brain injury.
  • Ages: all
  • Levels of Care: Nursing Facility
  • Income Waiver: No. Parent income is counted.
  • Waiver Type: 1915(c)
  • Spots: 3212
  • Expiration Date: 6/30/2027
  • Description from medicaid.gov: Provides adult day service, day habilitation, homemaker, independent provider, prevocational services, respite, supported employment, home health aide, intermittent nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, cognitive behavioral therapies, environmental accessibility adaptations, home delivered meals, in-home shift nursing, personal emergency response systems, and specialized medical equipment and supplies for individuals with brain injury, ages 0 to no maximum age.
  • Online State Information: Brain Injury Waiver Page
  • Official Federal Information
  • How to Apply: This waiver is part of the Home Services Program. First apply for Medicaid, and then apply for the waiver through DHS/DRS. Call 1-800-843-6154 or 1-800-447-6404 (TTY) or contact Rehabilitation Services.
  • Waiting List: none
  • Target Population: Persons with HIV/AIDS
  • Ages: all
  • Levels of Care: Nursing Facility
  • Income Waiver: No. Parent income is counted.
  • Waiver Type: 1915(c)
  • Spots: 1672
  • Expiration Date: 9/30/2023
  • Description from medicaid.gov: Provides adult day care, homemaker, personal assistant, respite, home health aide, intermittent nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, environmental accessibility adaptations, home delivered meals, in-home shift nursing, personal emergency response system, specialized medical equipment for individuals with HIV/AIDS of all ages.
  • Online State Information: Persons with HIV/AIDS waiver page
  • Official Federal Information
  • How to Apply: This waiver is part of the Home Services Program. First apply for Medicaid, and then apply for the waiver through DHS/DRS. Contact 1-800-843-6154 or 1-800-447-6404 (TTY), or contact Rehabilitation Services.
  • Waiting List: none
  • Target Population: Persons with physical disabilities or other health disabilities
  • Ages: 0-59 at the time of application
  • Levels of Care: Nursing Facility
  • Income Waiver: No. Parent income is counted.
  • Waiver Type: 1915(c)
  • Spots: 36,468
  • Expiration Date: 6/30/2026
  • Description from medicaid.gov: Provides adult day care, homemaker, individual provider, respite, home health aide, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, environmental accessibility adaptations, home delivered meals, in-home shift nursing, intermittent nursing, personal emergency response system, and specialized medical equipment for individuals with physical disabilities, ages 0 – 59.
  • Online State Information: Persons with Disabilities Waiver Page
  • Official Federal Information
  • How to Apply: This waiver is part of the Home Services Program. First apply for Medicaid, and then apply for the waiver through DHS/DRS. Call 1-800-843-6154 or 1-800-447-6404 (TTY), or contact Rehabilitation Services.
  • Waiting List: none

Additional Information

  • Illinois allows parents/guardians who are RNs or LPNs to be paid to care for their own minor children. This has been permitted during the public health emergency and is now approved for all children receiving private duty nursing in Illinois (waiver or non-waiver).
  • The Home Services Program, particularly the Persons with Disabilities (DRS Waiver) and Brain Injury Waiver, now allow parents to be paid to provide personal care to minor children.
  • Illinois is also attempting to develop a paid family caregiver program for unlicensed parents.