The Medicaid Program has special provisions for people with developmental disabilities (DD). If you would like to apply for developmental disability services, first you need to complete a Medicaid application and be determined financially eligible for Medicaid. Then you will need to complete an application and assessment for the DD program to determine if you will be eligible for DD services.
In addition to financial eligibility, you must also meet medical disability criteria in order to be eligible for DD services. To meet medical disability criteria, your disability must:
- Be chronic
- Appear before the age of twenty-two (22)
- Be caused by impairments such as intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, or another condition found to be closely related to, or similar to one of these impairments that requires similar treatment or services; or be caused by dyslexia resulting from one or more of the above described impairments; and
- Substantially limit your ability to function in at least three (3) of the following major life activities;
- Self care
- Receptive and expressive language
- Learning
- Mobility
- Self direction
- Capacity of independent living
- Economic self-sufficiency
- Reflect the need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic care, treatment or other services
- Require services which are of lifelong or extended duration
- Require services that must be individually planned and coordinated
View our adult DD step-by-step guide for applying and receiving services. View Guide
If you are currently receiving children’s DD services through DHW’s children’s DD program and would like to transition into the adult DD program, there are a few resources to help you along the way.
- Contact the Children’s Developmental Disabilities program and ask about trainings for transitioning to adult services
- Transition from children’s services guide
- Differences between consumer-directed services for children and adults
The application process for the adult with developmental disabilities program has two steps.
- Apply for Medicaid
- Complete the developmental disabilities application
- Complete eligibility assessment
- Apply: Online using idalink
- Be prepared to provide this information with the application:
- Verification of identity (e.g. driver's license)
- Household income
- Household resources
- Current monthly expenses
- If applicable, immigration status
- Interview
- Call: 877-456-1233 (toll free)
- Visit: Closest field office
- Be prepared to provide this information with the application:
- Verification of identity (e.g driver's license)
- Household income
- Household resources
- Current monthly expenses
- If applicable, immigration status
- Download and complete an application
- Then Apply by either:
- Email: MyBenefits@dhw.idaho.gov
- Fax: 1-866-434-8278 (toll free)
- Mail: Self Reliance Programs, PO Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0026
- Be prepared to provide this information with the application:
- Verification of identity (e.g. driver's license)
- Household income
- Household resources
- Current monthly expenses
- If applicable, immigration status
Regional Office Information
Submit your completed application to an office in your area
| Area | Location | phone/fax | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Region 1: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, Shoshone | 1120 Ironwood Drive, Suite 102 Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814 | (P) 1-208-769-1567 (F) 1-208-666-6856 | BDDSQA1@dhw.idaho.gov |
| Region 2: Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce | 1118 F Street PO Drawer B Lewiston, ID 83501 | (P) 1-208-799-4430 (F) 1-208-799-5167 | BDDSQA2@dhw.idaho.gov |
| Region 3: Adams, Canyon, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Washington | 1720 Westgate Dr., Suite B Boise, ID 83704 | (P) 1-208-334-0940 (F) 1-208-334-0953 | BDDSQA3@dhw.idaho.gov |
| Region 4: Ada, Boise, Elmore, Valley | 1720 Westgate Drive, Suite B Boise, ID 83704 | (P) 1-208-334-0940 (F) 1-208-334-0953 | BDDSQA4@dhw.idaho.gov |
| Region 5: Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, Twin Falls | 601 Pole Line Road, Suite 3 Twin Falls, ID 83301 | (P) 1-208-736-3024 (F) 1-208-736-2116 | BDDSQA5@dhw.idaho.gov |
| Region 6: Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Caribou, Franklin, Oneida, Power | 1070 Hiline Road, Suite 260 Pocatello, ID 83201 | (P) 1-208-239-6260 (F) 1-208-239-6269 | BDDSQA6@dhw.idaho.gov |
| Region 7: Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Custer, Freemont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison, Teton | 150 Shoup Avenue, Suite 20 Idaho Falls, ID 83402 | (P) 1-208-528-5750 (F) 1-208-528-5756 | BDDSQA7@dhw.idaho.gov |
The independent assessment provider will send you a notice informing you of your eligibility.
If you have been determined eligible for DD services, you will need to choose a plan developer or support broker to help you write a plan which will include the services and supports you need.
- If you decide to access Traditional Waiver services, you will select a plan developer from a Targeted Service Coordination Agency listed on the DD Service Provider list to help you write your plan. After you have selected a plan developer, you will need to fill out the Plan Developer/Support Broker Choice Form and submit it to the Independent Assessment Provider.
- If you decide to self-direct your services through the consumer-directed services option, you will select a support broker to help you write your plan. After you have selected a support broker, you will need to fill out the Plan Developer/Support Broker Choice Form and submit it to the Independent Assessment Provider.
To access services, your plan developer or support broker will help you:
- Identify people you want to be included in developing your plan in your Person Centered Planning meeting
- Identify what services you qualify for
- Identify what services you would like to access
- Identify goals you would like to work on
- Write these services and supports into a plan that is then submitted to the Department of Health and Welfare
For more information and forms related to plan development, visit the Plan Developer/Targeted Service Coordinator page.
For more information and forms related to support brokers, visit the Support Broker page.
File an appeal
This page explains how to file an appeal for an eligibility decision for public assistance programs.
For assistance with viewing and downloading documents, see Document Assistance.