Resources for families

Medicaid and eligibility, explained

Developmental disability services in Idaho are funded through Medicaid. Here's who qualifies, how to apply for adult and children's services, and what the terms along the way mean. If you get stuck, call us. We're glad to help.

A mother and her teenage son sharing a hug at a desk covered with forms

For adults

Services for adults

What are the requirements for adult developmental disability services in Idaho?

To qualify, a developmental disability must:

  • Be chronic.
  • Appear before the age of 22.
  • Be caused by an impairment such as intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or autism; by another condition closely related or similar to one of these that requires similar treatment or services; or by dyslexia resulting from one of these impairments.
  • Substantially limit your ability to function in at least three of these major life activities: self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living, and economic self-sufficiency.
  • Reflect the need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic care, treatment, or other services.
  • Require services that are lifelong or of extended duration.
  • Require services that must be individually planned and coordinated.

Apply for Adult Developmental Disabilities Programs (Idaho Department of Health and Welfare)

How do I apply for adult services?

  1. Step 1: Apply for Idaho Medicaid

    This is the first step. It helps if Social Security has also determined the adult to be disabled, and income is not necessarily a disqualifier. When you apply, let Medicaid know you have an adult with a disability who may need a medical review. They may ask for documentation such as a neuropsych evaluation or proof of diagnosis. If you don't have those yet, we can help you find medical professionals in our area.

  2. Step 2: Apply to the Bureau of Developmental Disability Services (BDDS)

    Once Medicaid is in place, fill out the application for adult services with BDDS.

  3. Step 3: Interview with the Independent Assessment Provider

    Your application is reviewed by an Independent Assessment Provider, who will contact you for an interview.

  4. Step 4: Choose a Targeted Service Coordinator, and Waypoint

    At this point it's good to identify a Targeted Service Coordinator (TSC), who can help with the rest of the process, including choosing Waypoint as your provider.

For children

Services for children

What are the requirements for children's developmental disability services?

A developmental disability (DD) is a chronic disability of a person that appears before 22 years of age and:

  • Is attributable to an impairment such as an intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, or another condition closely related or similar to one of these that requires similar treatment or services, or is attributable to dyslexia.
  • Results in substantial functional limitations in three or more areas of major life activity: self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living, or economic self-sufficiency.
  • Reflects the need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic care, treatment, or other services that are lifelong or of extended duration and individually planned and coordinated.

About Children's Developmental Disabilities (Idaho Department of Health and Welfare)

How do I apply for children's services?

  1. Step 1: Apply for Idaho Medicaid

    Income is not necessarily a disqualifier. Let Medicaid know you have a child with a disability who may need a medical review. They may ask for documentation such as a Vineland-3, a neuropsych evaluation, or other proof of diagnosis, especially if you need Community Based Support services.

  2. Step 2: Submit an application for Children's Services

    Once the application is submitted, a case manager will be assigned to help coordinate your child's services.

  3. Step 3: Choose your developmental disabilities agency

    For intervention services, the Vineland can be completed by the developmental disabilities agency (DDA) of your choice, and that agency can help you obtain services. We'd be glad to be that agency for your family.

Glossary

Helpful terms

The acronyms you'll hear most often during the application process.

Developmental disability (DD)
A chronic disability that appears before age 22 and substantially limits three or more major life activities. In Idaho, it can be attributable to intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, or a closely related condition.
Developmental Disabilities Agency (DDA)
A provider agency that delivers developmental disability services under Idaho Department of Health and Welfare rules. Waypoint Developmental Center is a DDA.
BDDS
The Bureau of Developmental Disability Services, part of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Adults apply to BDDS for developmental disability services once Medicaid is in place.
Independent Assessment Provider
The organization that reviews an adult's BDDS application and contacts the applicant for an interview.
Targeted Service Coordinator (TSC)
A coordinator who helps adults through the rest of the application process and coordinates their services.
Case manager
Assigned when an application for Children's Services is submitted, to help coordinate a child's services.
Vineland-3
The Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Third Edition: a standardized assessment of everyday adaptive skills. For children's intervention services, it can be completed by the DDA you choose.
Neuropsych evaluation
An in-depth neuropsychological evaluation of thinking, learning, and behavior that Medicaid may request as documentation of a diagnosis.
Community Based Supports (CBS)
Children's services that help a child take part in community activities, such as sports, clubs, and scouts, alongside their peers.
Supported living
In-home support for adults with developmental disabilities, authorized at High, Intense, or Hourly levels. Waypoint provides it as residential habilitation.

Official resources

From the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare

We're here to help

Not sure where to start?

Every family's path is a little different. Call or send us a message, and we'll help you figure out your next step, including finding evaluations if you still need them.

Contact us (208) 590-9001