Federal Benefits and State Services:
What's Available for Adults with Developmental Disabilities?
(Graphics have been removed from this internet version)

(Revised: June 2007)

About this Booklet...

A variety of federal benefits and state services are established to support adults with developmental disabilities.

It can be very confusing to sort through the differences between Social Security and Medicaid benefits, as well as the many services and programs provided in this state.

To help you understand your options, this booklet offers an overview of the following major benefits and services:

Table of Contents

SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI)

What is SSI?

SSI is a social security program that provides a monthly payment to adults with a disability and children who meet Social Security's disability and income criteria.

SSI eligible persons are eligible for Medicaid under the Categorically Needy Program (CNP) through DSHS.

Who Can Receive SSI?

Individuals who are age 65 or older or blind or have a disability, who have less than $2,000 worth of countable assets, and earn less than $830 per month, can become eligible for SSI.

NOTE: Income rules change once the individual receives SSI.

How Much is the SSI Cash Benefit?

The basic SSI amount is the same nationwide. However, many states add money to the basic benefit. In Washington State, benefits vary by area.

As of January 2007 the amount for an individual is about $623 per month, depending on the county. The actual amount individuals receive also depends on how much other income they have.


Call 1-800-772-1213 for specific amounts.

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INSURANCE (SSDI)

What is SSDI?

SSDI is a federal program for employees under age 65 who are unable to work at substantial gainful activity (SGA) levels.  The disability must last or be expected to last for at least a year or result in death. People on SSDI are eligible to receive Medicare after 24 months.

Who can receive SSDI?

In addition to the employee who becomes unable to work due to a disability, certain family members may qualify for benefits on the employee's work record if the employee retires, becomes disabled or dies:

1. spouse who is age 62 or older, or any age if they are caring for the employee's child who is under age 16 or disabled and also receiving checks;

2. unmarried son or daughter, age 18 or older, if he or she has a disability that started before age 22[Disabled Adult Child (DAC) Benefit.]

What is the Monthly SSDI Benefit?

The monthly disability benefit is based on the employee's lifetime average earnings covered by Social Security. Call 1-800-772-1213 for more information.
 

MEDICAID

What is Medicaid? 
Who is Eligible?

Medicaid is a joint federal and state entitlement administered by Medical Assistance Administration in DSHS. It provides funding for a wide range of medical services.  Coverage is broadest under the Categorically Needy (CN) program and most restricted under the Medically Indigent (MI) program.

The listing of covered services is on the Internet: http://fortress.wa.gov/dshs/maa/medicaidsp/  If you
do not have access to the internet at home, your local public library will be able to help you find this internet site and get the information.

Medicaid is a funding source for many programs of the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). They
include Medicaid Personal Care (MPC), most DDD community services and DD institutions.

Is the DDD Home and Community Based Waivers (HCBS) a Medicaid Program?

The HCBS Waivers waive federal rules to allow the use of Medicaid dollars to pay for many DD services. The purpose of the Waivers are to prevent institutionalization by offering a community alternative. The Waivers have a fixed number of people with developmental disabilities who can be served.
 

STATE SERVICES AND SUPPORTS

What is DDD?

The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) is the DSHS entity that provides services only to people eligible for DDD services.

Who does DDD serve?

The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) administers programs and services for people who have the conditions of mental retardation, epilepsy, autism, cerebral palsy, or other neurological conditions similar to mental retardation. 

Contact your local DDD office to apply. The Division operates six regional offices throughout the state (see back of this booklet for regional numbers).

What are the services?

The Division offers a broad range of in-home and out-of-home community services as well as institutional services. Services may be provided by state employees and/or contracted providers.

Services are listed on the following pages.

NOTE:  DDD has limited funding and availability for many services. Contact your local case/ resource manager to learn what is available.

CASE AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

 Every DD eligible person is assigned a case/resource manager.  The case/resource manager (CRM) is responsible for eligibility intake and determination, assessments, service planning and authorization of services.  In addition, the CRM will often be able to inform you about other governmental and community resources.

INDIVIDUAL & FAMILY SUPPORTS PROGRAM

This program is available to parent/relatives who are living with and caring for a person with a developmental disability. Family Support provides services such as respite, therapy and specialized equipment. There is a  waiting list for services but emergency funds are available for critical needs.

MEDICAID PERSONAL CARE (MPC)

MPC is a medical assistance program available to all CN Medicaid persons who have an assessed unmet need with personal care tasks.  MPC offers personal care assistance in the person's home, and adult family home or adult residential care facility.  The in-home provider can be a qualified individual of your choosing, even the parent, or a licensed home health agency.

COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL SERVICES

Residential services are provided to people who require assistance with daily living. Services are divided into facility and non-facility services. 

Facility-based means that the place of residence is owned by the service provider. It is not the person's own home. Facility-based includes:

• Group Homes
• Intermediate Care Facilities
• Adult Family Homes
• Residential Habilitation Centers (RHCs)
• Adult Residential Care (ARCs)

NON-DDD RESIDENTIAL SERVICES

• Nursing Facility (NF) care: The NF determination and payment is authorized by HCS/ADSA staff.
• Assisted Living:  These are boarding homes licensed and contracted with ADSA as "Assisted Living" facilities.  This service is funded by ADSA under their COPES Waiver.  Eligibility and payment for this service is done by ADSA.

EMPLOYMENT AND DAY PROGRAMS

DDD contracts with the counties to provide employment and community access programs for adults. Your DDD case/resource manager must make the referral.

Individual Supported Employment: Placement and follow-up services necessary to help persons with disabilities obtain and continue integrated employment. 

Group Supported Employment: Supervised training and employment of small groups of adults with a disability in regular business and industry.

Pre-vocational/Specialized Industries: Training and long-term employment in businesses organized to provide training and employment to persons with disabilities.  These settings tend to be more segregated.

Community Access:  Assistance with gaining access to community activities for individuals all 62 and over.

NON-DD EMPLOYMENT AND DAY PROGRAMS

Adult Day Health:  Center-based services for the elderly and CN Medicaid adults with a disability who need nursing or therapy. A meal and other activities are also provided.  

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation:  Provides time limited assistance with employment such as assessments, job placement and short term on-the-job training.

RESOURCE NUMBERS

Division of Developmental Disabilities

Region 1
(Eastern Washington)
1-800-462-0624

Region 2
(Central Washington)
1-800-822-7840

Region 3
(Northwest Washington)
1-800-788-2053

Region 4
(King County)
1-800-314-3296

Region 5
(Pierce & Kitsap Counties)
1-800-248-0949

Region 6
(West and Southwest Washington)
1-800-339-8227

DDD Central Office
Olympia
360-725-3413

 

The Arc of Washington State
1-888-754-8798, ext. 105
www.arcwa.org

Social Security
1-800-772-1213