I wanted to just follow up on last weeks blog post based on some of the questions that I received.
1. When applying under Intellectual disability, does the IQ have to be less than 70?
Yes and documentation or evaluations will need to be submitted as to how a licensed professional came to that diagnosis.
2. My child is only 2. Can I apply?
No. You have to wait until they are 3.
3. What does Medwiaver exactly do?
It provides financial assistance for group home or immediate care facility , supported employment, supported living, and individual/family supports funding for nonwaiver customer expenses (home improvements for safety or accessibility is an example).
4. What diagnoses can apply?
Autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, intellectual disabilities, Down syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, philanthropy Mcdermid syndrome, and children ages 3-5 who are at risk of a developmental disability.
5. What services does Agency for Persons with Disabilities provide?
See number 3
6. What is the difference with Medwaiver, Medicaid, and SSI/SSDI?
Medwaiver provides what is listed in #3.
Medicaid- besides health insurance, long term care waivers
SSI/SSDI- social security and social security disability. Please visit www.ssa.gov for more information. This is income assistance.
7. What if I do not have the one of the diagnoses but need waiver services?
There is long term care program for the elderly, long term care programs for traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, cystic fibrosis, mental illness, persons with physical disabilities, and acquired brain disorders. Agency for persons with Disabilities is misleading in the title. They focus on developmental disabilities listed in #4.
8. Can you apply and be out of state?
No. You will have to show proof of residency like a Florida State ID. What we did is flew my brother down on Sunday and was at the DMV Monday. If you do not have the means (mentally or finically) to have a family member stay with you, you will have to private pay for respite somewhere like a group home. This is expensive and is much cheaper to have live in help. In last weeks blog post, I did talk about the steps I took to make my sibling a Florida resident long before we moved him. There is no way around this step.
9. Why should I apply if my loved one is not 21 and doesn’t need service yet?
Many reasons. First I would like to remind you that you are not immortal. If something happens to you tomorrow, the application is in and makes it easier to qualify for crisis. Do not leave this to a sibling or other family members. Also, the state has no clue what the actual needs are if people are not applying. Get on the waitlist as soon as possible. And I believe if your loved one is under 21, this gets you access to Medicaid.
10. Is Medwaiver and Medicaid the same thing?
NO. And you have to apply for them separately. Medwaiver is through the Agency for Persons with Disabilities and Medicaid is through the Department of Children and Families.
This is a lot of information. Next week I will follow up with the Medicaid process. You can apply for them at the same time and I will explain how I got that process done. Repeat after me- I will not leave this to a sibling or family member. If you are a sib and trying to figure it all out, send me a message and I will try to help.
