Idaho's DD Waiver and Aged & Disabled (A&D) Waiver, Explained
Idaho pays for in-home and community supports through two Medicaid waivers: the DD waiver, for people with developmental disabilities, and the Aged & Disabled (A&D) waiver, for adults 18–64 with physical or other disabilities (and adults 65+) who need a nursing-facility level of care. Both can pay for residential habilitation — the service Empowering Human Services provides — and most of our participants are on one of these two waivers.
Two waivers, one goal: support at home instead of an institution
The DD (developmental disability) waiver serves people with intellectual disabilities or related conditions (onset before age 22) who need an ICF/IID level of support. It pays for residential habilitation, developmental therapy, respite, supported employment, and targeted service coordination.
The Aged & Disabled (A&D) waiver serves adults 18–64 with physical or other disabilities and adults 65+ who need a nursing-facility level of care. It pays for residential habilitation, attendant care, homemaker and chore services, companion services, respite, adult day health, home modifications, skilled nursing, and more. Many of our participants are on the A&D waiver — if your family member has a physical disability or chronic health condition rather than a developmental disability, this is usually their path.
How to apply for each
Both waivers can have enrollment caps/waitlists based on application date — apply before care needs become urgent.
- DD waiver: apply for Idaho Medicaid, then submit a DD application with records (psychological evaluation, school/medical records) to the Department of Health and Welfare. Region 7 (Idaho Falls area): 208-528-5750. An independent assessment follows.
- A&D waiver: start with the Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) — statewide line 1-866-886-8876 — which arranges the nursing-facility-level assessment, then apply for Medicaid long-term-care coverage through idalink.idaho.gov or 877-456-1233. Apply for the Personal Care Services Program (PCSP) at the same time — it can cover personal care while the waiver application is processed.
What the waivers pay for (services we and others provide)
- Residential habilitation / supported living — staff support in your own home, a supported living residence, or a certified family home (this is what we provide under both waivers)
- Developmental therapy (DDA services) — skills training through a developmental disability agency (DD waiver)
- Attendant care, homemaker, chore, companion services — hands-on help at home (A&D waiver)
- Respite — short breaks for family caregivers (both waivers)
- Supported employment — job coaching and workplace support (both waivers)
- Case management / service coordination — someone who helps manage the plan and connect services (both waivers)
Traditional vs. self-directed (DD waiver)
Traditional: you choose agencies that employ the staff. Self-directed (My Voice, My Choice): you employ your own support staff with a support broker and fiscal agent. Traditional trades some control for reliability — no hiring, no payroll, no coverage gaps. Families can also mix approaches.
Where an agency like EHS fits
Under the traditional route, you select a certified ResHab agency for residential supports. That's us — Empowering Human Services, LLC is a certified Residential Habilitation agency based in Idaho Falls, serving all nine counties of Idaho Region 7. We serve participants on both waivers: we coordinate with your plan developer, case manager, or targeted service coordinator, staff the approved hours, and manage the compliance machinery (staff training, background checks, documentation, surveys) so families never see it.
Common family questions
The most common fear is "my son/daughter will be forced out of our home." The opposite is true — both waivers exist precisely to fund support in the home and community. The second most common: "we make too much for Medicaid." Long-term-care Medicaid rules differ from standard Medicaid; apply and let the state determine it rather than self-disqualifying.
Frequently asked questions
Which waiver does my family member qualify for?
Broadly: developmental disability with onset before age 22 → DD waiver. Physical or other disability (any adult age 18–64) or aging-related needs, with nursing-facility-level care needs → A&D waiver. Many people qualify under more than one lens — the assessor determines which program fits. Call us at (208) 537-1463 and we'll help you read the situation before you apply.
Does the DD waiver cover children too?
There is a separate children's DD program with its own application (childrensddservices@dhw.idaho.gov, 877-333-9681). This page covers the adult programs, which is what EHS participates in.
What is a nursing-facility level of care?
The A&D waiver's benchmark: the person needs the intensity of care a nursing home provides. An ADRC assessor (1-866-886-8876) evaluates daily-living abilities and confirms it — the waiver then funds equivalent support at home instead.
What is an ICF/IID level of support?
The DD waiver's benchmark — the intensity of support someone would need in an intermediate care facility for people with intellectual disabilities. The assessment confirms the person meets that bar; the waiver then funds equivalent support in the community.
Can the waiver be used with private insurance or Medicare?
The waivers are Medicaid. Some families use private insurance or Medicare for medical services and the waiver for long-term supports — the long-term supports have no private-insurance equivalent.
What happens if we move to another Idaho county?
Services transfer with the person — you'd update the plan with your new region office, and either keep your agency (if it serves that region) or choose a new one. EHS serves all nine Region 7 counties.