If your child or loved one has an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD), you’ve probably heard the term “Medicaid waiver.” But what does it really mean — and why is it so important?
In Texas, Medicaid waivers are special programs that provide home and community-based services for people with disabilities. These programs help individuals live, learn, and thrive in their own communities instead of in institutional settings. Services might include things like respite care, therapies, nursing, supported employment, or help with daily living skills.
Here’s the catch: waivers are not automatic. Funding is limited, and there are long waitlists — sometimes over a decade. That’s why the most important thing families can do is get on the lists early, even before a formal diagnosis or eligibility decision is made. Your place on the list is based on the date you sign up, not your child’s age or current needs.
To join a waitlist in the San Antonio area, contact the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) at 210-832-5020, or call the statewide number at 877-438-5658.
When your name reaches the top of the list, the state will contact you to confirm eligibility and discuss available services. Until then, the best thing you can do is keep your contact information current and stay connected with local resources that can guide you along the way.
💡 Remember: Joining the waiver lists early is one of the most important steps you can take to support your child’s future.
To explore more information, local contacts, and supports for individual with disabilities, visit sacrd.org/IDD.
