Washington state currently has four Medicaid waivers that can serve children, and all of them are home and community based 1915(c) waivers. All waivers are based only on child income without regard to parent income. For more information, see this general overview of Washington’s Medicaid waivers. See also the Informing Families website for services available throughout the lifespan.

For those already eligible for Medicaid, the Community First Choice option allows for additional services. Similarly, those who access Medicaid based on income or through waivers can receive home nursing care through the Medically Intensive Children’s Program.

Advocacy Organizations in Washington:

Last updated 11/3/23

Programs in Washington

  • Target Population: Children with intellectual or developmental disabilities, including autism.
  • Ages: 8-20
  • Levels of Care: Intermediate Care Facility
  • Income Waiver: The waiver is based on the child’s income only. Parent income is not counted.
  • Waiver Type: 1915(c)
  • Spots: 231
  • Expiration Date: 8/31/2027
  • Description from medicaid.gov: Provides respite, assistive technology, environmental adaptations, equine therapy, music therapy, nurse delegation, peer mentoring, person-centered plan facilitation, risk assessment, specialized clothing, specialized equipment and supplies, specialized habilitation, stabilization services – specialized habilitation, stabilization services – staff/family consultation services, stabilization services-crisis diversion bed, staff/family consultation services, therapeutic adaptations, transportation, and vehicle modifications for individuals with autism, intellectual disabilities, and developmental disabilities ages 8 to 20 years.
  • Online State Information: CIIBS Brochure
  • Official Federal Information
  • How to Apply: Apply through DDA.
  • Waiting List: None
  • Target Population: Children and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities, including autism.
  • Ages: All ages
  • Levels of Care: Intermediate Care Facility
  • Income Waiver: The waiver is based on the child’s income only. Parent income is not counted.
  • Waiver Type: 1915(c)
  • Spots: 8100
  • Expiration Date: 8/31/2024
  • Description from medicaid.gov: Provides respite, OT, PT, speech/hearing/language, assistive technology, behavior support and consultation, behavioral health stabilization services-behavior support and consultation, behavioral health stabilization-specialized psychiatric services, community engagement, environmental accessibility mods, nurse delegation, peer mentoring, person-centered planning facilitation, psychosexual evaluation, skilled nursing, specialized clothing, specialized medical equipment and supplies, specialized nutrition, specialized psychiatric services, staff/family consultation and training, supported parenting services, therapeutic equipment and supplies, transportation, and vehicle mods for DD individuals, ages 3 with no maximum age.
  • Online State Information: Individual and Family Services
  • Official Federal Information
  • How to Apply: Contact the appropriate regional office as listed on this page or apply through DDA.
  • Waiting List: None
  • Target Population: Children and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities, including autism.
  • Ages: all ages
  • Levels of Care: Intermediate Care Facility
  • Income Waiver: The waiver is based on the child’s income only. Parent income is not counted.
  • Waiver Type: 1915(c)
  • Spots: 6000
  • Expiration Date: 8/31/2027
  • Description from medicaid.gov: Provides community inclusion, individual supported employment/group supported employment, residential habilitation, respite, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech, hearing, and language services, assistive technology, community engagement, community transition, environmental adaptations, extermination of bed bugs, individualized technical assistance, risk assessment, skilled nursing, specialized equipment and supplies, specialized habilitation, stabilization services – crisis diversion bed, stabilization services – staff/family consultation services, stabilization services- specialized habilitation, staff/family consultation services, supported parenting, transportation, and wellness education for individuals with autism, intellectual disabilities, and developmental disabilities ages 0 to no maximum age.
  • Online State Information: Core Waiver
  • Official Federal Information
  • How to Apply: Become eligible for developmental disabilities services following these instructions, and have your case manager help you apply.
  • Waiting List: None
  • Target Population: Children and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities, including autism.
  • Ages: all ages
  • Levels of Care: Intermediate Care Facility
  • Income Waiver: The waiver is based on the child’s income only. Parent income is not counted.
  • Waiver Type: 1915(c)
  • Spots: 12,000
  • Expiration Date: 8/31/2027
  • Description from medicaid.gov: Provides community inclusion, individual supported employment/group supported employment, respite, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech, hearing and language services, assistive technology, community engagement, environmental adaptations, extermination of bed bugs, individualized technical assistance, risk assessment, skilled nursing, specialized equipment and supplies, specialized habilitation, stabilization services- staff/family consultation services, stabilization services-crisis diversion bed, stabilization services-specialized habilitation, staff/family consultation services, therapeutic adaptations, transportation, and wellness education for individuals with autism, intellectual disabilities, and developmental disabilities ages 0 to no maximum age.
  • Online State Information: Basic Plus Waiver Brochure
  • Official Federal Information
  • How to Apply: Become eligible for developmental disabilities services following these instructions, and have your case manager help you apply.
  • Waiting List: None

Additional Information

  • The language in the current waivers excludes parents/guardians of minors from being paid; however, Washington has a study beginning in 2023 to determine the feasibility of adding a paid parent caregiving program.
  • In January 2024, House Bill 2184 was filed. This bill, if passed, will require the state to create a paid parent caregiving program by October 2024.