Indiana Disability Programs: Waivers, Home Care, and Support Services for Residents
Most of what Indiana offers residents with disabilities runs through the Family and Social Services Administration — FSSA — and its Division of Disability, Aging and Rehabilitative Services, known as DDARS. That single division houses four bureaus covering everything from infant early intervention to employment services to home care coordination. Knowing which bureau handles what makes navigating the system considerably easier, and this page will help people understand what programs are available to help disabled people and which organization offers them.
Hoosiers with disabilities and that have a low-income also often qualify for food, utility, insurance and other assistance through the state or federal government as well — those government benefits are covered on the Indiana government benefits assistance guide page. In addition to government benefits, other financial help may be available in local counties, and the Indiana assistance program page is worth checking alongside the disability-specific programs listed here.
Health Coverage: Hoosier Care Connect
Indiana's Medicaid program for people who are blind or disabled and under age 60 — and not eligible for Medicare — is called Hoosier Care Connect. It is a managed care program, meaning members choose a health plan through one of the Care Management Organizations contracted with the state. That organization then coordinates medical care, specialist referrals, and services based on each member's specific needs and conditions. Hoosier Care Connect covers the full range of medical services and carries no copays for members. Apply through FSSA (portal website: https://fssabenefits.in.gov/bp/) or at the toll-free number 800-403-0864 or see the site at https://www.in.gov/medicaid/members/member-programs/hoosier-care-connect/.
For people with disabilities who are working and whose earnings would otherwise push them out of Medicaid eligibility, Indiana offers M.E.D. Works — a Medicaid pathway that keeps coverage in place for employed individuals with disabilities. Information is available through the same FSSA line in.
Medicaid Waivers for Home and Community Living
Indiana runs several Home and Community Based Services waivers that pay for support in the home or community as an alternative to institutional placement. Each targets a different population.
The Family Supports Waiver and the Community Integration and Habilitation Waiver — FSW and CIH — both serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism. The FSW is designed for people living with their families who need non-residential support — day services, behavioral support, case management, respite, and therapeutic services. The CIH covers a broader range of needs and can include residential habilitation and supported group living for those who require more intensive support around the clock. Both waivers are managed through the Bureau of Disabilities Services — BDS — and applications start at the local BDS office.
The Health and Wellness Waiver serves Hoosiers under 60 with physical disabilities who would otherwise require nursing facility care. It covers attendant care, adult day health, home modifications, case management, and related services. The Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver is available to people of any age with a TBI diagnosis and covers a wide range of rehabilitation and residential support. A waiting list is currently in effect for the TBI waiver.
For those 60 and older, the PathWays for Aging program coordinates care through a managed care model. Contact DDARS at 800-545-7763 for information on any of these waivers, or visit https://www.in.gov/fssa/ddars/. There are also other programs that help older adults and seniors in Indiana - see the NHPB Indiana guide to senior assistance.
CHOICE: Home Care Without a Medicaid Waiver
The CHOICE program — Community and Home Options to Institutional Care for the Elderly and Disabled — is one of Indiana's more overlooked resources because people assume it is only for seniors. It is not. Any Hoosier with a disability who is at risk of losing their independence qualifies, regardless of age. CHOICE is state-funded rather than Medicaid, which means the application process is separate and somewhat simpler than a waiver. It is administered through Indiana's 16 Area Agencies on Aging.
Services available through CHOICE include personal care, chore help, home-delivered meals, home modifications, transportation, and respite for caregivers. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging or DDARS to find out whether CHOICE or a waiver is the better fit for a given situation.
Early Intervention: First Steps - for children 2 and under
For families with infants or toddlers — children from birth through age two — who have developmental delays or disabilities, Indiana's First Steps program provides early intervention services as close to home as possible. It brings together health, education, and social service professionals to deliver coordinated support tailored to each child and family. First Steps is managed through DDARS's Bureau of Child Development Services. Referrals can come from any source, including pediatricians, family members, or the family itself.
Children's Special Health Care Services
The Children's Special Health Care Services program — CSHCS — provides additional medical support for residents under 21 with serious, chronic conditions. Covered conditions include cystic fibrosis, cancer, severe asthma, autism, hemophilia, heart conditions, and others that cause lasting physical limitation. The program covers diagnostic evaluations, specialty care, prescription drugs, dental care, and community referrals for qualifying families who meet income guidelines. The toll-free number is 800-475-1355.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment
The Bureau of Rehabilitation Services — BRS and website is https://www.in.gov/fssa/ddars/brs/ runs Indiana's Vocational Rehabilitation program. VR counselors are available in every one of Indiana's 92 counties through 25 area offices. Eligibility is not based on income — what matters is whether a disability is creating a barrier to finding, keeping, or advancing in work. Services are individualized and can include career counseling, job coaching, training, assistive technology for employment, and supported employment for those with the most significant disabilities.
BRS also runs the Indiana Business Enterprise Program under the federal Randolph-Sheppard Act, which gives legally blind Hoosiers who are VR clients access to entrepreneurial opportunities — managing food service operations, vending locations, convenience stores, and military facility contracts. It is a career pathway with real earning potential that goes well beyond standard job placement. Contact BRS at 800-545-7763.
Blind and Visually Impaired Services
Blind and Visually Impaired Services — BVIS — is a dedicated program within BRS for Hoosiers who are blind or have a significant visual impairment. Beyond standard VR services, BVIS includes an Older Independent Blind program for people 55 and older that focuses on independent living skills: mobility, cooking, money management, communications, Braille, and adaptive equipment. Contact BVIS directly at 877-241-8144, the website https://www.in.gov/fssa/ddars/brs/blind-and-visually-impaired/ or by email at [email protected].
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services
DDARS operates Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services with locations across the state to help identify resources and navigate support for Hoosiers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or DeafBlind. For families with children who have hearing loss, Indiana's Hearing Aid Assistance Program — HAAPI — provides hearing aids at no cost for eligible children from age three through high school graduation. Funding is limited and covers a set number of aids per year, so families should apply without delay. Information on HAAPI is through the Indiana Department of Health's Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education.
INvestABLE Indiana: Saving Without Losing Benefits
Indiana runs its own ABLE savings program under a distinctive name: INvestABLE Indiana, administered by the Indiana ABLE Authority through the State Treasurer's office. Hoosiers with qualifying disabilities can open an account with multiple investment options — including a checking account with a debit card — and save for disability-related expenses without those savings counting against SSI or Medicaid eligibility. Funds can be used for housing, transportation, medical care, assistive technology, education, and everyday disability-related costs. The annual contribution limit and maximum balance are among the higher figures nationally. Learn more and open an account at https://savewithable.com/in/home.html.
A Note on Federal Disability Benefits
The programs on this page sit alongside — not in place of — federal Social Security disability benefits. SSDI pays monthly benefits based on a person's prior work record. SSI provides payments based on financial need for people with limited income and resources who have a disability.
Indiana's Disability Determination Bureau evaluates medical eligibility for both programs on the Social Security Administration's behalf, but applications are filed directly through SSA — at ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213. Many Hoosiers receive both Indiana state benefits and federal payments at the same time, and programs like Hoosier Care Connect and M.E.D. Works are specifically designed to stay in place while someone receives or pursues federal disability benefits.
Related Content From Needhelppayingbills.com
|
Need help navigating programs?