Birth Injury Answers

Financial help finder

The short answer

Choose your state. This produces a list of what to apply for, in the order that matters, with a link to each.

Apply for the Medicaid waiver first. Waiting lists in some states run for years, and your place is usually set by the date you applied. 1

The numbers, up front

Waivers may ignore family income
Many home and community based services waivers count only the child's own income and resources, so children in higher income families can qualify 1
Why to apply today
Many state waiver programs operate waiting lists, and the application date usually sets your place 2
SSI at 18
The income test changes at 18 to the young adult's own income, so many people denied as children qualify then 3
ABLE accounts
The balance does not count against most benefit limits, up to defined thresholds 4

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Find what to apply for

Programs differ by state. This list covers the federal programs every state has, plus the state-run programs to ask about by name.

Questions parents ask

Our income is too high. Should we still apply?

Yes. Many waivers count only the child's own income rather than the family's, and some states have a TEFRA or Katie Beckett option that does the same. 1 5 Apply and let them decide.

Why is the waiver first on the list?

Because of waiting lists. In some states they run for years, and your place is usually set by the date you applied rather than by when you qualified. 2 It is the one item where a delay costs you time you cannot get back.

Can I save money for my child?

In an ABLE account, yes. The balance does not count against the resource limits that apply to SSI and Medicaid, up to defined thresholds. 4 6 Saving in a child's own name outside such an account can cost them benefits.

Where these facts come from

  1. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Medicaid.gov. Section 1915(c) Home and Community-Based Waivers. 2025. www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/home-community-based-services/auth. Link checked September 3, 2026.
  2. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Medicaid.gov. Home and Community Based Services. 2025. www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/home-community-based-services/inde. Link checked September 3, 2026.
  3. Social Security Administration. Benefits for Children with Disabilities. 2025. www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10026.pdf. Link checked September 3, 2026.
  4. ABLE National Resource Center. What are ABLE Accounts. 2025. www.ablenrc.org/what-is-able/what-are-able-accounts/. Link checked September 3, 2026.
  5. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Medicaid.gov. Katie Beckett and TEFRA State Plan Option. 2025. www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/eligibility/index.html. Link checked September 3, 2026.
  6. Internal Revenue Service. ABLE Accounts, Tax Benefit for People with Disabilities. 2025. www.irs.gov/government-entities/federal-state-local-governme. Link checked September 3, 2026.