Maryland Medicaid waiver guide
Learn how Maryland Medicaid waiver services work, which state agency to start with, how the application process usually begins, and where to search for home and community-based services.
Last reviewed July 2026. See something out of date? Use the “Suggest an edit” button to let us know.
Maryland's Developmental Disabilities Administration now runs a single Medicaid waiver: the Community Pathways Waiver. As of October 2025 the former Family Supports and Community Supports waivers were folded into it, and every service that had been available under those two is available under Community Pathways — so if you are reading older guidance that names three waivers, it is out of date. The feature that matters most to families is financial: DDA waiver eligibility does not consider the income or assets of the family. That single rule makes many households eligible who assume they earn far too much.
Search by state, city, or ZIP code to compare provider profiles, services, contact details, and verified status.
Marylanders who meet DDA developmental disability criteria and an ICF/IID level of care
Maryland assesses three kinds of eligibility. Technical eligibility means being a Maryland resident, meeting DDA's developmental disability criteria, and having an approved person-centered plan. Medical eligibility means meeting the institutional level of care of an Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities — though you do not have to enter an institution to qualify. Financial eligibility reviews only the applicant's own financial documents; family income and assets are not counted. All three must be met initially and maintained on an ongoing basis.
You must be a Maryland resident, be determined to meet DDA's developmental disability criteria, and have an approved person-centered plan. The DDA Regional Office verifies this.
You must meet the institutional level of care of an Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. You do not need to enter an institution to qualify — the standard is what level of care you need, not where you live.
The Eligibility Determination Division reviews only the applicant's own financial documents. DDA waiver financial eligibility does not consider the income or assets of the family. Do not rule yourself out on household income.
All three eligibility types must be met initially and maintained. Participants must resubmit updated financial documentation every year — a missed annual submission can interrupt services.
DDA offers the chance to apply based on available program slots and funding. Opportunities go to people on the DDA Waiting List or to those who fall within specified reserved priority categories set out in the approved waiver application. Being on the waiting list is not the same as being enrolled — the offer to apply comes first, and then the full application packet is completed.
Start with your DDA Regional Office to establish that you meet Maryland's developmental disability criteria and are a Maryland resident.
Open linkYour CCS helps you complete the DDA waiver application packet and walks through service delivery models, services, and provider options based on your assessed needs. The completed packet goes to the DDA Regional Office.
An approved person-centered plan is part of technical eligibility, not an afterthought. It documents what you need and how services will meet it.
The Eligibility Determination Division reviews the applicant's finances. Family income and assets are not considered — so gather the person's own documentation rather than the household's.
Financial eligibility is re-verified annually. Put the renewal on a calendar; letting it lapse is an avoidable way to interrupt services.
Exact covered services depend on the waiver, assessed need, Medicaid rules, funding, and state program requirements. Confirm services, availability, and payment acceptance with the state, support coordinator, and provider.
Maryland's Community Pathways Waiver includes self-direction, with support broker services available to help participants manage their own budget and staff. Your Coordinator of Community Services can walk through the self-directed and traditional service delivery models before you choose.
Approved waiver services are paid by Maryland Medicaid. Once enrolled, there is generally little or no direct cost for covered services.
This is the most consequential financial fact in Maryland. DDA waiver eligibility looks only at the applicant's own income and assets. Families who would be far over the limit on household income routinely qualify.
Participants resubmit updated financial documentation each year. This is an ongoing obligation, not a one-time hurdle.
Early intervention is delivered through the Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program, separately from DDA waiver services.
School systems provide special education under an IEP. Waiver services are separate from and additional to what school provides.
Maryland coordinates transitioning-youth services for students leaving school. Connect with your DDA Regional Office and a Coordinator of Community Services well before the last year of school so the person-centered plan and waiver application are underway in time.
Because financial eligibility already ignores family income, the adult transition in Maryland is less of a financial cliff than in many states. What matters is keeping the annual financial re-verification current.
If DDA eligibility or a waiver service is denied, reduced, or ended, you have the right to appeal and to request a fair hearing within the deadline printed on your notice. Disability Rights Maryland is the state's designated protection and advocacy agency and provides free legal services to Marylanders of any age with any disability.
Protection & Advocacy agency for Maryland
1-800-233-7201Visit siteState DD agency — also 1-877-463-3464
410-767-6500Visit siteWhere eligibility is determined and application packets are submitted
Visit siteTechnical, medical, and financial eligibility explained
Visit siteFree legal services — 410-727-6352 ext. 0 and ask for intake, weekdays 9–5
1-800-233-7201Visit siteLocal help & referrals — dial 211
Visit siteVery possibly. Maryland DDA waiver financial eligibility does not consider the income or assets of the family — only the applicant's own. This is stated directly in DDA's application guidance, and it is the most common reason Maryland families wrongly assume they are ineligible.
There is only one now. As of October 2025 the Family Supports and Community Supports waivers were consolidated into the Community Pathways Waiver, and all the services from those programs are available under it. Older guidance naming three waivers is out of date.
No. Medical eligibility means meeting the ICF/IID institutional level of care — that is a measure of the level of support you need, not a requirement to live anywhere in particular.
Your CCS helps you complete the DDA waiver application packet and explore service delivery models, services, and provider options based on your assessed needs, then submits the packet to your DDA Regional Office. They are your main working contact.
No. Technical, medical, and financial eligibility must be maintained on an ongoing basis, and participants resubmit updated financial documentation annually. Set a yearly reminder — a missed renewal can interrupt services.
Maryland assesses three kinds of eligibility. Technical eligibility means being a Maryland resident, meeting DDA's developmental disability criteria, and having an approved person-centered plan. Medical eligibility means meeting the institutional level of care of an Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities — though you do not have to enter an institution to qualify. Financial eligibility reviews only the applicant's own financial documents; family income and assets are not counted. All three must be met initially and maintained on an ongoing basis.
get dda eligibility determined, work with a coordinator of community services, build the person-centered plan, submit only the applicant's financial documents, then enroll and choose providers. Start with Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration.
Covered services vary by waiver and assessed need, and commonly include in-home supports, respite, supported employment, day services, behavior support, residential supports. Confirm specifics with the state and provider.
DDA offers the chance to apply based on available program slots and funding. Opportunities go to people on the DDA Waiting List or to those who fall within specified reserved priority categories set out in the approved waiver application. Being on the waiting list is not the same as being enrolled — the offer to apply comes first, and then the full application packet is completed.
Approved waiver services are generally covered by Medicaid at little or no direct cost once enrolled, though some enrollees may owe a monthly patient responsibility based on income.
Technical, medical, and financial eligibility, and the role of the Coordinator of Community Services.
MarylandThe Community Pathways Waiver and the full list of covered services.
MarylandDDA's guidance on the October 2025 consolidation and what it means for participants.
MarylandFree protection and advocacy legal services, including appeals help.
MarylandFind waiver providers and services in Maryland on Waiverly.
Looking for another state? Browse the full resource map