Disability services in Ohio

People of any age with a developmental disability who meet ICF/IID level of care and need a high level of support.

Start with: Your county board of developmental disabilities (88 county boards) · (800) 617-6733 · Website (opens in a new tab)

Ohio uses a statewide waiting list based on a Waiting List Assessment done by your county board.

Medicaid and this program are applied for together.

Steps

1. Call your county board of developmental disabilities.
2. Ask for an eligibility review and a Waiting List Assessment. The board must schedule it within 15 days.
3. Bring records that show a lasting condition that began before age 22.
4. Wait for the board's decision (within 45 days) and a letter within 10 days after that.
5. Work with your service and support administrator (SSA) on a plan and a waiver when one is offered.
6. Apply for Ohio Medicaid if you do not have it.

Have these ready

• Proof of diagnosis (psychological or medical evaluation)
• School records such as an IEP
• Medicaid card or Medicaid application number
• Social Security number and proof of address
• Guardianship papers, if any

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

People of any age with a developmental disability who meet ICF/IID level of care. Level One has a lower yearly cost limit than IO.

Start with: Your county board of developmental disabilities (88 county boards) · (800) 617-6733 · Website (opens in a new tab)

Ohio uses a statewide waiting list based on a Waiting List Assessment done by your county board.

Medicaid and this program are applied for together.

Steps

1. Call your county board of developmental disabilities.
2. Ask for an eligibility review and a Waiting List Assessment. The board must schedule it within 15 days.
3. Bring records that show a lasting condition that began before age 22.
4. Wait for the board's decision (within 45 days) and a letter within 10 days after that.
5. Work with your service and support administrator (SSA) on a plan and a waiver when one is offered.
6. Apply for Ohio Medicaid if you do not have it.

Have these ready

• Proof of diagnosis (psychological or medical evaluation)
• School records such as an IEP
• Medicaid card or Medicaid application number
• Social Security number and proof of address
• Guardianship papers, if any

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

Ohioans age 21 and older who meet nursing facility level of care and want to live in a certified assisted living setting.

Start with: PASSPORT Administrative Agency (your Area Agency on Aging) or Ohio Benefits Long Term Services and Supports · (844) 644-6582 · Website (opens in a new tab)

Ohio reported no one waiting for waivers for older adults and adults with physical disabilities in KFF's 2026 state data.

Medicaid and this program are applied for together.

Steps

1. Call your Area Agency on Aging or 1-844-644-6582.
2. Ask to request the Assisted Living waiver (form ODM 02399).
3. Apply for Ohio Medicaid if needed.
4. Take part in the assessment.
5. Choose a certified assisted living residence.

Have these ready

• Medicaid card or application number
• List of medicines and doctors
• Proof of income and assets
• Name of the assisted living you want

Your local Aging and Disability Resource Center can start the application. Find yours.

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

Ohioans age 59 or younger who meet nursing facility or hospital level of care and the financial rules.

Start with: Ohio Department of Medicaid, through your County JFS or Ohio Benefits Long Term Services and Supports · (844) 644-6582 · Website (opens in a new tab)

Ohio reported no one waiting for waivers for older adults and adults with physical disabilities in KFF's 2026 state data.

Medicaid and this program are applied for together.

Steps

1. Call 1-844-644-6582, or go to your County JFS office.
2. Ask to request the Ohio Home Care Waiver (form ODM 02399).
3. Apply for Ohio Medicaid if needed.
4. Take part in the assessment with an ODM case management agency.
5. Choose your providers and services.

Have these ready

• Medicaid card or application number
• Medical records and list of medicines
• Proof of income and assets
• List of help you need each day

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

Ohioans age 18 and older with both Medicare and full Medicaid, enrolled in a Next Generation MyCare plan, who meet nursing facility level of care.

Start with: Next Generation MyCare plan care coordinator (Anthem, Buckeye, CareSource or Molina) · (800) 324-8680 · Website (opens in a new tab)

No waitlist was described; eligible MyCare members are enrolled through their care coordinator.

Apply for Medicaid first.

Steps

1. Make sure you have both Medicare and full Ohio Medicaid.
2. Choose a Next Generation MyCare plan by calling the Consumer Hotline at 1-800-324-8680. Buckeye is not an option for new members.
3. Call your plan's care coordinator and ask to enroll in the MyCare Ohio Waiver.
4. Take part in the assessment.
5. Work with your care coordinator on your services.

Have these ready

• Medicare card
• Medicaid card
• List of doctors and medicines
• List of help you need each day

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

Ohio Medicaid youth age 20 or younger at enrollment with serious emotional disturbance who meet inpatient psychiatric level of care; they age out at 22.

Start with: OhioRISE plan (Aetna Better Health of Ohio) or an OhioRISE Care Management Entity · 1-833-711-0773 (Aetna Better Health of Ohio, OhioRISE Member Services; TTY 711) · Website (opens in a new tab)

The OhioRISE waiver has limited capacity (about 1,000 slots in the 2024 chart).

Apply for Medicaid first.

Steps

1. Apply for Ohio Medicaid for your child if needed.
2. Contact Aetna Better Health of Ohio (OhioRISE) or your child's OhioRISE care management entity.
3. Ask for a CANS assessment for the OhioRISE waiver.
4. Work with the care coordinator on a plan.
5. Choose waiver services such as out-of-home respite.

Have these ready

• Child's Medicaid card
• Behavioral health records and diagnoses
• Names of current providers
• School records, if helpful

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

Ohioans age 60 and older who meet nursing facility level of care and the financial rules.

Start with: PASSPORT Administrative Agency (your Area Agency on Aging) or Ohio Benefits Long Term Services and Supports · (844) 644-6582 · Website (opens in a new tab)

Ohio reported no one waiting for waivers for older adults and adults with physical disabilities in KFF's 2026 state data.

Medicaid and this program are applied for together.

Steps

1. Call your Area Agency on Aging (PASSPORT Administrative Agency) or 1-844-644-6582.
2. Ask to request the PASSPORT waiver (form ODM 02399).
3. Apply for Ohio Medicaid at Benefits.Ohio.gov or your County JFS if needed.
4. Take part in the in-home assessment.
5. Choose providers with your case manager.

Have these ready

• Medicare and Medicaid cards
• List of medicines and doctors
• Proof of income and assets
• List of help you need each day

Your local Aging and Disability Resource Center can start the application. Find yours.

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

People of any age with a developmental disability who meet ICF/IID level of care and want to direct their own services. Yearly limits are $30,000 for people under 22 and $45,000 for adults.

Start with: Your county board of developmental disabilities (88 county boards) · (800) 617-6733 · Website (opens in a new tab)

Ohio uses a statewide waiting list based on a Waiting List Assessment done by your county board.

Medicaid and this program are applied for together.

Steps

1. Call your county board of developmental disabilities.
2. Ask for an eligibility review and a Waiting List Assessment. The board must schedule it within 15 days.
3. Bring records that show a lasting condition that began before age 22.
4. Wait for the board's decision (within 45 days) and a letter within 10 days after that.
5. Work with your service and support administrator (SSA) on a plan and a waiver when one is offered.
6. Apply for Ohio Medicaid if you do not have it.

Have these ready

• Proof of diagnosis (psychological or medical evaluation)
• School records such as an IEP
• Medicaid card or Medicaid application number
• Social Security number and proof of address
• Guardianship papers, if any

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas