Connecticut currently has five waivers that are open to children, as the Early Childhood Autism Waiver has now expired. All are HCBS 1915(c) Medicaid waivers. Three of these programs waive parental income; we do not know the status of the others. For general information on Connecticut’s waivers for people with developmental disabilities, see this overview. Information on other waivers can be found here.

Connecticut has recently begun offering the Community First Choice Option for individuals already on Medicaid, who can receive personal care services regardless of age.

Advocacy Organizations in Connecticut:

Last updated 8/29/23

Programs in Connecticut

Note: this program is a 1915(c) waiver, not a TEFRA/Katie Beckett program, despite the name

  • Target Population: Children with physical or other health disabilities.
  • Ages: 0-22
  • Levels of Care: Intermediate Care Facility, Nursing Facility, Hospital
  • Income Waiver: Yes, the waiver is based on the child’s income only. Parent income is not counted.
  • Waiver Type: 1915(c)
  • Spots: 362
  • Expiration Date: 12/31/2026
  • Description from medicaid.gov: Provides case management to individuals with physical disabilities ages 0-22.
  • Online State Information: This Katie Beckett webpage or this document
  • Official Federal Information
  • How to Apply: Contact (800) 445-5394 or (860) 424-5582.
  • Waiting List: There are 266 children who are medically fragile on the waiting list in Connecticut. The waitlist time has historically been 6-7 years on average.
  • Target Population: Children and adults with autism.
  • Ages: 3+
  • Levels of Care: Intermediate Care Facility
  • Income Waiver: unknown
  • Waiver Type: 1915(c)
  • Spots: 475
  • Expiration Date: 12/31/2027
  • Description from medicaid.gov: Provides live-in companion, respite, assistive technology, clinical behavioral support services, community mentor, individual goods and services, interpreter, job coaching, life skills coach, non-medical transportation, personal emergency response system, social skills group, and specialized driving assessment services to individuals with autism ages 3 or older who meet an ICF/IID level of care.
  • Online State Information: DDS Autism Services
  • Official Federal Information
  • How to Apply: Contact Autism Services at 860-418-6078. Application is available here.
  • Waiting List: Connecticut currently has 1943 individuals with developmental disabilities, 266 children who are medically fragile, and 110 individuals with brain injuries on its waiting list.
  • Target Population: Children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
  • Ages: 3+
  • 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: 4500
  • Expiration Date: 1/31/2028
  • Description from medicaid.gov: Provides adult day health, blended supports, community companion homes, group day supports, individual supported employment, live-in companion, prevocational services, respite, independent support broker, assistive technology, behavioral support services, companion supports aka adult companion, continuous residential supports, customized employment supports, employment transitional services, environmental modifications, group supported employment, health care coordination, home delivered meals, individualized day supports, individualized home supports, individually directed goods and services, interpreter, nutrition, parenting support, peer support, personal emergency response system, personal support, remote supports services, senior supports, shared living, specialized medical equipment and supplies, training/counseling/support services for unpaid caregivers, transportation, and vehicle modification services to individuals with developmental disabilities ages 18 or older, and individuals with intellectual disabilities ages 3 or older who meet an ICF/IID level of care.
  • Online State Information: DDS Waivers
  • Official Federal Information
  • How to Apply: Contact the Department of Developmental Services or call (866)-433-8192. See also this info on applying.
  • Waiting List: Connecticut currently has 1943 individuals with developmental disabilities, 266 children who are medically fragile, and 110 individuals with brain injuries on its waiting list.
  • Target Population: Children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
  • Ages: 3+
  • Levels of Care: Intermediate Care Facility
  • Income Waiver: unknown
  • Waiver Type: 1915(c)
  • Spots: 3339
  • Expiration Date: 3/31/2026
  • Description from medicaid.gov: Provides adult day health, blended supports, group day supports aka community based day support options, individual supported employment, prevocational services, respite, independent support broker, peer support, assistive technology, behavioral support services, customized employment supports, environmental modifications, group supported employment, individual direct goods and services, individualized day support, interpreter, personal emergency response system (PERS), remote supports services, specialized medical equipment and supplies, training, counseling and support services for unpaid caregivers, transitional employment services, transportation, and vehicle modifications for individuals with DD (ages 18 – no max age) and individuals with ID (ages 3 – no max age).
  • Online State Information: DDS Waivers
  • Official Federal Information
  • How to Apply: Contact the Department of Developmental Services or call (866)-433-8192. See also this info on applying.
  • Waiting List: Connecticut currently has 1943 individuals with developmental disabilities, 266 children who are medically fragile, and 110 individuals with brain injuries on its waiting list.
  • Target Population: Children and adults with intellectual disabilities needing extensive supports.
  • Ages: 3+
  • 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: 5700
  • Expiration Date: 9/30/2023
  • Description from medicaid.gov: Provides adult day health, blended supports, group day supports, group supported employment,  live-in caregiver (42 CFR §441.303(f)(8)), prevocational services, respite, independent support broker, assisted living, assistive technology, behavioral support services, community companion homes (CCH), community living arrangements (CLA), companion supports aka as adult companion, continuous residential supports, customized employment supports, environmental modifications, health care coordination, individual directed goods and services, individual supported employment, individualized day supports, individualized home supports, interpreter, nutrition, parenting support, peer support, personal emergency response system (PERS), personal support, senior supports, shared living, specialized medical equipment and supplies, training, counseling and support services for unpaid caregivers, transitional employment services, transportation, vehicle modifications for DD (18 yrs – no max age) and for IID (3 yrs – no max age).
  • Online State Information: DDS Waivers
  • Official Federal Information
  • How to Apply: Contact the Department of Developmental Services or call (866)-433-8192. See also this info on applying.
  • Waiting List: Connecticut currently has 1943 individuals with developmental disabilities, 266 children who are medically fragile, and 110 individuals with brain injuries on its waiting list.

Additional Information

  • The state lists the following information in various waiver applications but does not specify whether this includes parents of minors: “Requests to permit payment to relatives/legal guardians must be approved by the DDS prior approval committee. This committee ensures that the provision of service is in the best interest of the participant. Additional requirements include the use of an Independent Broker to ensure that the individual has engaged in recruitment activities and that there is a responsible person other than the paid family member, who, in addition to the participant, assumes employer responsibilities. Circumstances where this may be permitted are limited to relatives/legal guardians who possess the medical skills necessary to safely support the individual, or, when the Prior Approval Committee determines that qualified staff are otherwise not available. Payment to family members is only made when the service provided is not a function that a family member would normally provide for the individual without charge as a matter of course in the usual relationship among members of a nuclear family; and, the service would otherwise need to be provided by a qualified provider.”
  • Connecticut uses a 1915(k) amendment to allow family members to provide personal care services; however, guardians and legally responsible individuals are not eligible.