Waitlists, answered plainly

How do supported home waiting lists work, and how do I get on one?

Why the wait exists, the steps to get listed, and what to do meanwhile.

Get on the list as early as you can. Many Medicaid HCBS waivers that fund supported homes have waiting lists, some years long. To get on one: contact your state Medicaid or developmental-disability agency, complete an eligibility assessment, apply for the waiver, and ask to be added to the waitlist (sometimes called a registry or planning list). Keep documentation current and ask a care manager about interim supports while you wait.

Why the waitlist exists

Waivers are capped by the number of funded slots each state budgets, so demand often exceeds supply and states keep a waiting list (also called a registry of unmet needs or planning list). Waitlist length and how people are prioritized vary widely by state.

Source: Medicaid.gov, HCBS — medicaid.gov; KFF tracks HCBS waiting lists — kff.org.

How to get on the list — the steps

(1) Contact your state Medicaid or DD agency; (2) complete an eligibility assessment; (3) apply for the waiver that fits; (4) ask to be added to the waitlist and get written confirmation; (5) keep contact and medical info current so you aren’t dropped. The waiver-by-state reference names the agency in each of our states.

What to do while you wait

Ask a care manager or your local ADRC (800-677-1116) about interim supports, and get on our waitlist so you hear the moment a home opens near you. In a crisis, call or text 988, or dial 211.

Hear from us when a home opens near you

We build small, permanent supported homes where the need is greatest. Add your email and we’ll tell you the moment a home opens in your state. Free, no spam, no obligation. Case managers can also refer someone and track it with no login.

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Related

About Mai Heaven: this page is educational, not eligibility advice. We build small, permanent supported homes — also called group homes — for adults who are hard to place. Join the waiting list and we’ll reach out when a home opens near you. Need help now? Call or text 988, or dial 211.