Disability services in Florida

Children and adults with a developmental disability that began before age 18, such as intellectual disability (IQ 70 or below), autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, Prader-Willi syndrome, Down syndrome or Phelan-McDermid syndrome, plus children ages 3 to 5 at high risk.

Start with: Your APD regional office · (866) 273-2273 · Website (opens in a new tab)

APD places eligible people in pre-enrollment priority categories set by Florida law, and people in crisis can ask for a crisis review.

Medicaid eligibility is decided as part of the waiver.

Steps

1. Apply online at ApplyNow.APD.MyFlorida.com, or mail or bring an application to your APD regional office.
2. Send proof of the disability, such as school or psychological records.
3. Wait for APD to decide if you are eligible.
4. If eligible, APD will place you in a pre-enrollment category and help you make a support plan within 60 days.
5. Answer APD's yearly letter and tell APD right away if your needs change.
6. If you are in crisis, ask for a crisis review online or call 1-866-273-2273.

Have these ready

• Proof of the developmental disability (diagnosis, psychological or school records)
• Proof of Florida residency
• Social Security number
• Medicaid card if you have one

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Adults 18 and older with an intellectual or developmental disability who live in Florida, are on the iBudget pre-enrollment list, and have or qualify for Medicaid.

Start with: ICMC enrollment line (Florida Community Care plan) · 1-877-711-3662 (option 4) · Website (opens in a new tab)

Spots are limited; when all are filled, no one else can enroll until a spot opens. Joining does not cost you your place on the iBudget list.

Medicaid and this program are applied for together.

Steps

1. Make sure you are on the APD iBudget pre-enrollment list.
2. Call 1-877-711-3662 and choose option 4, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 6 PM.
3. If you have Medicaid, staff will enroll you. Coverage starts the 1st of the next month.
4. If you need Medicaid, staff will help you apply with DCF.
5. If you have a Dual Special Needs Plan, leave it before you join.
6. Florida Community Care will call you within 7 days to assign a case manager.

Have these ready

• Medicaid number if you have one
• APD pre-enrollment letter
• List of current doctors and medicines

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People ages 3 to 64 with a documented diagnosis of familial dysautonomia who need hospital level of care.

Start with: Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) · (888) 419-3456 · Website (opens in a new tab)

The waiver serves up to 15 people. When it is full, people enter in the order they were found eligible (first come, first served).

Apply for Medicaid first.

Steps

1. Call AHCA at (888) 419-3456 and ask to apply for the Familial Dysautonomia Waiver.
2. Apply for Medicaid through ACCESS Florida if you do not have it.
3. Send records that show the diagnosis.
4. Complete the level of care review.

Have these ready

• Medical records showing familial dysautonomia
• Medicaid number or ACCESS Florida application

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Children and young adults age 20 or younger who are disabled under Social Security rules, are at risk of hospital care, and either have degenerative spinocerebellar disease or are medically fragile and lived in a nursing facility for at least 60 days in a row.

Start with: Children's Multidisciplinary Assessment Team (CMAT) · (850) 245-4200 · Website (opens in a new tab)

The Model Waiver serves up to 20 children a year. When it is full, children enter in order of their approval date (first come, first served).

Apply for Medicaid first.

Steps

1. Call CMAT at (850) 245-4200 to ask for a Model Waiver assessment.
2. Apply for Medicaid through ACCESS Florida if your child does not have it.
3. Complete the CMAT assessment.
4. Wait for a decision letter.

Have these ready

• Your child's medical records
• Social Security disability decision
• Medicaid number or ACCESS Florida application

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Most Florida Medicaid members, including people with disabilities, get their health and behavioral health care through an MMA plan. iBudget waiver services are not part of MMA.

Start with: Florida Medicaid choice counseling · (877) 711-3662 · Website (opens in a new tab)

Anyone who qualifies for Medicaid and is in a required group is enrolled; there is no waiting list.

Apply for Medicaid first.

Steps

1. Apply for Florida Medicaid through ACCESS Florida.
2. When approved, watch for a letter about choosing a health plan.
3. Call choice counseling at 1-877-711-3662 to compare plans and pick one.
4. If you do not pick a plan, one will be chosen for you.

Have these ready

• Medicaid number
• List of current doctors
• List of medicines

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Adults 65 and older, or adults with a disability, who need nursing facility level of care and qualify for Medicaid.

Start with: Your Aging and Disability Resource Center (Elder Helpline) · (800) 963-5337 · Website (opens in a new tab)

A phone screening gives each person a priority score; people with a high priority rank go on the wait list, and some current Medicaid groups can skip it.

Medicaid eligibility is decided as part of the waiver.

Steps

1. Call your ADRC or the Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337.
2. Complete the phone screening (about 45 minutes to an hour).
3. Read your letter that shows your priority rank.
4. When a spot opens, apply for Medicaid through ACCESS Florida and check the HCBS/Waivers box.
5. After you are approved, choose a Long-Term Care health plan.
6. Ask the ADRC for a rescreen if your health or living situation changes.

Have these ready

• List of health problems and daily care needs
• Caregiver information
• Medicaid number if you have one
• Income and asset records

Your local Aging and Disability Resource Center can start the application. Find yours.

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