Louisiana currently has four waivers and a new TEFRA program that are open to children. Three of these programs waive parental income; we have not been able to obtain complete information about the other two. For general information on most of Louisiana’s programs, see their Programs or Waiver Services page.

Louisiana Advocacy Organizations:

Last updated 9/15/23

Programs in Louisiana

  • Target Population: Children who would otherwise require care in an institution with any type of disability, including medical, developmental, intellectual, or psychiatric conditions.
  • Ages: 0-18
  • Levels of Care: Intermediate Care Facility, Nursing Facility, Hospital
  • Income Waiver: Yes, the program is based on the child’s income only. Parent income is not counted.
  • Waiver Type: TEFRA
  • Spots: NA
  • Expiration Date: NA
  • Description from medicaid.gov: Provides Medicaid coverage only.
  • Online State Information: Children’s Medicaid Option
  • How to Apply: Visit this page for instructions.
  • Waiting List: none
  • Target Population: Children with developmental or intellectual disabilities, including autism.
  • Ages: 0-20
  • Levels of Care: Intermediate Care Facility
  • Income Waiver: Most likely yes, according to this list of FAQs, which state the waiver is based on the child’s income and not the parents’ income.
  • Waiver Type: 1915(c)
  • Spots: 3000
  • Expiration Date: 6/30/2024
  • Description from medicaid.gov: Provides center-based respite, support coordination, specialized medical equipment and supplies, aquatic therapy, art therapy, environmental accessibility adaptations, family support services, family training, hippotherapy, housing stabilization service, housing stabilization transition service, music therapy, sensory integration, and therapeutic horseback riding for individuals with autism, intellectual disabilities, and developmental disabilities ages 0-20 years.
  • Online State Information: Children’s Choice Waiver
  • Official Federal Information
  • How to Apply: Visit your local community service office and follow instructions on this page.
  • Waiting List: Louisiana is attempting to eliminate its waiting list for people with developmental disabilities; however, this program has historically had a waiting list.

Also called NOW Waiver

  • Target Population: Children and adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities, including autism. Generally, this waiver is reserved for adults over 18 under Louisiana’s new tiered waiver approach.
  • Ages: 3+
  • Levels of Care: Intermediate Care Facility
  • Income Waiver: For children, income of other family members is not considered if the child receives SSI. Parental income is counted toward minor children for the month of admission only. The income of the minor and the income of the parent(s) with whom the child lived during the month of admission are counted together.
  • Waiver Type: 1915(c)
  • Spots: 9100
  • Expiration Date: 6/30/2027
  • Description from medicaid.gov: Provides center-based respite, day habilitation, individual and family support, monitored in-home caregiving, prevocational services, supported independent living, supported employment- individual and group, skilled nursing, specialized medical equipment and supplies, financial management services, adult companion care, community life engagement development, dental services, environmental accessibility adaptations, housing stabilization service, housing stabilization transition service, one-time transitional, personal emergency response, professional service dietician/nutritionist, professional service psychologist, professional service social worker, and substitute family care services to individuals with autism, intellectual disabilities, or developmental disabilities ages 3 or older who meet an ICF/IID level of care.  This waiver operates with a concurrent 1915(b)(1), 1915(b)(3), and 1915(b)(4) authority.
  • Online State Information: New Opportunities Waiver Page
  • Official Federal Information
  • How to Apply: Visit your local community service office and follow instructions on this page.
  • Waiting List: Louisiana is attempting to eliminate its waiting list for people with developmental disabilities; however, this program has historically had a waiting list.
  • Target Population: Children and adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities, including autism, to move out of residential facilities.
  • Ages: all ages
  • Levels of Care: Intermediate Care Facility
  • Income Waiver: unknown
  • Waiver Type: 1915(c)
  • Spots: 2800
  • Expiration Date: 6/30/2028
  • Description from medicaid.gov: Provides adult day health care, day habilitation, monitored in home caregiving, prevocational services, respite services – out of home, shared living services, support coordination, supported employment, assistive technology/specialized medical equipment and supplies, financial management services, community life engagement development, community living supports, companion care, dental services, environmental accessibility adaptations, host home, housing stabilization service, housing stabilization transition service, nursing, one-time transitional services, personal emergency response system, professional services, and transportation – community access services to individuals with autism, intellectual disabilities, or developmental disabilities ages 0 or older who meet an ICF/IID level of care. This waiver operates with a concurrent 1915(b)(1), 1915(b)(2), and 1915(b)(4) authority.
  • Online State Information: Residential Options Waiver
  • Official Federal Information
  • How to Apply: Visit your local community service office and follow instructions on this page.
  • Waiting List: Louisiana is attempting to eliminate its waiting list for people with developmental disabilities; however, this program has historically had a waiting list.
  • Target Population: Children with serious emotional disturbance or mental illness.
  • Ages: 5-20
  • Levels of Care: 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) with 1915(b)
  • Spots: 5557
  • Expiration Date: 6/30/2027
  • Description from medicaid.gov: Provides independent living/skills building, parent support and training, short-term respite, youth support and training for individuals with mental illness ages 18 to 20 years and individuals with serious emotional disturbance ages 5 to 17 years.
  • Online State Information: Coordinated Systems of Care Page
  • Official Federal Information
  • How to Apply: Follow the instructions on this page to contact your Healthy Louisiana Plan, or call 800-424-4489.
  • Waiting List: none

Additional Information

  • Parents/guardians may be paid for care in the New Opportunities, Children’s Choice and adult developmental disability waivers. While the language is not entirely clear in the waiver documentation, it appears this policy applies to parents of minors as well. See these slides for providers and these more general slides about the process. Each family caregiver can provide up to 40 hours per week and cannot also serve as the representative/employer. See also this information about the Monitored In-Home Caregiving Program, which provides a per diem payment to a caregiver who lives in the home. Additional information is available in this webinar.