Vermont Medicaid waiver guide
Learn how Vermont 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 See something out of date?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.
Vermont's Developmental Disabilities Services Division sits within the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living. You apply through the Designated Agency serving your region by requesting an intake appointment. What sets Vermont apart is that clinical eligibility alone does not get you services: you must also be found to meet a funding priority as defined in the Vermont State System of Care Plan, and a proposed plan of services has to clear two committees before the DDSD Director makes the final decision. Understanding that structure explains most of what happens after you apply.
Search by state, city, or ZIP code to compare provider profiles, services, contact details, and verified status.
People who meet the Act's eligibility criteria and a funding priority in the State System of Care Plan
Children with developmental disabilities and their families
Eligibility criteria are set out in the Regulations Implementing the Developmental Disabilities Services Act of 1996 — Part 2 covers the criteria, Part 3 covers who can be a recipient of services. Beyond clinical eligibility, home and community-based services require meeting a funding priority defined in the Vermont State System of Care Plan for Developmental Disabilities Services, with a plan covering 2026 through 2028. Medicaid is also required to fund services.
Eligibility criteria are in Part 2 of the Regulations Implementing the Developmental Disabilities Services Act of 1996, with Part 3 covering who can be a recipient. Ask your Designated Agency for the current regulations rather than working from summaries.
Clinical eligibility is necessary but not sufficient. For home and community-based services you must be found to meet a funding priority as defined in the Vermont State System of Care Plan — currently the 2026–2028 plan. Read the plan's priorities, because they determine whether services follow eligibility.
The Local Funding Committee also evaluates whether the proposed plan of services is cost-effective, so how the plan is built matters alongside whether you qualify.
Medicaid is required to fund services. DDSD publishes guidance specifically on accessing and maintaining Medicaid for DD services.
Vermont does not run a straightforward waiting list. Instead, funding proposals go through review: your Designated Agency's Local Funding Committee verifies clinical eligibility, determines whether your needs meet a funding priority, and assesses whether the proposed plan is cost-effective. If approved locally, the proposal goes to a statewide funding committee, which makes a recommendation to the Director of DDSD, who makes the final decision.
Request an intake appointment with the Designated Agency serving your region. Vermont routes everything through these agencies rather than through the state directly.
Open linkEligibility is determined under Part 2 of the Regulations Implementing the Developmental Disabilities Services Act of 1996, with Part 3 covering who can be a recipient of services.
Open linkThis is the step families most often skip. Home and community-based services require meeting a funding priority defined in the Vermont State System of Care Plan for 2026–2028. Knowing which priorities exist tells you how your situation needs to be documented.
Your Designated Agency develops a funding proposal covering your needs and a proposed plan of services. The Local Funding Committee assesses eligibility, funding priority, and cost-effectiveness — all three, so the plan's design matters.
Open linkIf the Local Funding Committee approves, the proposal goes to a statewide funding committee, which recommends to the DDSD Director for a final decision. Ask your agency to tell you when it moves between stages.
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.
Vermont supports self- and family-managed services, with ARIS Solutions acting as the fiscal/employer agent that handles payroll and employment paperwork when you hire your own workers. Ask your Designated Agency and service coordinator how self- or family-management would work in your funding proposal.
Approved services are Medicaid-funded. DDSD publishes specific guidance on accessing and maintaining Medicaid for DD services, which is worth reading because maintaining it matters as much as getting it.
The Local Funding Committee evaluates whether the proposed plan of services is cost-effective, alongside eligibility and funding priority. That means how a plan is constructed can affect whether it is approved, not just whether you qualify.
In residential arrangements, services are covered but room and board generally is not, and is typically paid from the person's own income such as SSI.
Vermont's early intervention system serves infants and toddlers separately from DDSD services.
Vermont runs Developmental Disabilities Children's Services for children and families. Ask your Designated Agency how children's services relate to adult HCBS and when to begin planning the shift.
Learn moreSchool districts provide special education under an IEP. DDSD services are separate and additional.
Because adult HCBS depends on meeting a funding priority rather than simply aging into services, start the conversation with your Designated Agency well before school services end so a funding proposal can be prepared.
If eligibility or funding is denied, you have appeal rights within the deadline stated on your notice. Because Vermont's decisions run through a local committee, a statewide committee, and the DDSD Director, ask at which stage the decision was made and on what basis — eligibility, funding priority, or cost-effectiveness are different grounds requiring different responses. Disability Rights Vermont is the state's protection and advocacy agency, and the Disability Law Project is another Vermont legal resource.
Protection & Advocacy agency for Vermont
1-800-834-7890Visit site280 State Drive, HC2 South, Waterbury — Relay: dial 711
802-241-0304Visit siteContacting your regional Designated Agency for an intake appointment
Visit siteFunding priorities and the committee review process
Visit siteFree advocacy — 802-229-1355 locally, weekdays 8:30–4:30
1-800-834-7890Visit siteLocal help & referrals — dial 211
Visit siteIn Vermont, clinical eligibility is only part of it. For home and community-based services you must also be found to meet a funding priority defined in the State System of Care Plan, and your proposed plan of services must be judged cost-effective. Those are separate tests from eligibility.
Three levels. Your Designated Agency's Local Funding Committee verifies clinical eligibility, whether your needs meet a funding priority, and whether the plan is cost-effective. If it approves, a statewide funding committee reviews and recommends, and the Director of DDSD makes the final decision.
Vermont's plan defining the funding priorities that govern access to services — currently covering 2026 through 2028. Reading it tells you which priorities exist and therefore how your situation needs to be documented in a funding proposal.
Contact the Designated Agency serving your region and request an intake appointment. Vermont routes applications through these regional agencies rather than through the state directly.
Yes — Vermont supports self- and family-managed services, with ARIS Solutions serving as the fiscal/employer agent handling payroll and employment paperwork. Raise it while your funding proposal is being developed rather than afterward.
Eligibility criteria are set out in the Regulations Implementing the Developmental Disabilities Services Act of 1996 — Part 2 covers the criteria, Part 3 covers who can be a recipient of services. Beyond clinical eligibility, home and community-based services require meeting a funding priority defined in the Vermont State System of Care Plan for Developmental Disabilities Services, with a plan covering 2026 through 2028. Medicaid is also required to fund services.
contact your regional designated agency, establish clinical eligibility, read the system of care plan's funding priorities, build a funding proposal with your agency, then enroll and choose providers. Start with Vermont Developmental Disabilities Services Division.
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.
Vermont does not run a straightforward waiting list. Instead, funding proposals go through review: your Designated Agency's Local Funding Committee verifies clinical eligibility, determines whether your needs meet a funding priority, and assesses whether the proposed plan is cost-effective. If approved locally, the proposal goes to a statewide funding committee, which makes a recommendation to the Director of DDSD, who makes the final decision.
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.
Contacting your regional Designated Agency to request an intake appointment.
VermontThe regulations under the Developmental Disabilities Services Act of 1996 governing eligibility.
VermontFunding priorities, the Local and statewide funding committees, and how decisions are made.
VermontFree protection and advocacy services, including appeals help.
VermontFind waiver providers and services in Vermont on Waiverly.
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