Disability services in Louisiana

Children and youth from birth to age 20 with intellectual or developmental disabilities, including autism, who meet the state definition and ICF/IID level of care.

Start with: Your Local Governing Entity (human services district or authority) · (866) 783-5553 · Website (opens in a new tab)

Offers come from one Request for Services Registry and are based on urgency of need (SUN score), not on the date you applied.

Medicaid eligibility is decided as part of the waiver.

Steps

1. Call the developmental disabilities office at your Local Governing Entity and ask for a determination of eligibility for developmental disability services
2. Send the records they ask for and complete the eligibility review
3. Once you get your Statement of Approval, ask to be placed on the Request for Services Registry
4. Complete the Screening for Urgency of Need (SUN) when OIDD calls you, and keep your contact information current
5. Under the tiered waiver system, people under 21 who receive an offer are offered Children's Choice first
6. Choose a support coordination agency when you get an offer

Have these ready

• Proof of developmental disability that began before age 22 (school, medical or psychological records)
• Current phone number and address
• Social Security number
• Medicaid card if you have one

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

People 3 and older with intellectual or developmental disabilities, including autism, who have an OCDD Statement of Approval, meet ICF/IID level of care and Medicaid rules, and have needs another OCDD waiver cannot meet.

Start with: Your Local Governing Entity (human services district or authority) · (866) 783-5553 · Website (opens in a new tab)

Offers come from one Request for Services Registry and are based on urgency of need (SUN score), not on the date you applied.

Medicaid eligibility is decided as part of the waiver.

Steps

1. Call the developmental disabilities office at your Local Governing Entity and ask for a determination of eligibility for developmental disability services
2. Send the records they ask for and complete the eligibility review
3. Once you get your Statement of Approval, ask to be placed on the Request for Services Registry
4. Complete the Screening for Urgency of Need (SUN) when OIDD calls you, and keep your contact information current
5. Your support coordinator uses a needs-based assessment to see if you need NOW, a higher tier waiver

Have these ready

• Proof of developmental disability that began before age 22 (school, medical or psychological records)
• Current phone number and address
• Social Security number
• Medicaid card if you have one

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

People of any age with intellectual or developmental disabilities, including autism, who meet the state definition and ICF/IID level of care.

Start with: Your Local Governing Entity (human services district or authority) · (866) 783-5553 · Website (opens in a new tab)

Offers come from one Request for Services Registry and are based on urgency of need (SUN score), not on the date you applied.

Medicaid eligibility is decided as part of the waiver.

Steps

1. Call the developmental disabilities office at your Local Governing Entity and ask for a determination of eligibility for developmental disability services
2. Send the records they ask for and complete the eligibility review
3. Once you get your Statement of Approval, ask to be placed on the Request for Services Registry
4. Complete the Screening for Urgency of Need (SUN) when OIDD calls you, and keep your contact information current
5. ROW is part of the tiered waiver system; your support coordinator and assessment decide if ROW fits your needs

Have these ready

• Proof of developmental disability that began before age 22 (school, medical or psychological records)
• Current phone number and address
• Social Security number
• Medicaid card if you have one

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

Adults 18 and older with intellectual or developmental disabilities, including autism, who are no longer in school.

Start with: Your Local Governing Entity (human services district or authority) · (866) 783-5553 · Website (opens in a new tab)

Offers come from one Request for Services Registry and are based on urgency of need (SUN score), not on the date you applied.

Medicaid eligibility is decided as part of the waiver.

Steps

1. Call the developmental disabilities office at your Local Governing Entity and ask for a determination of eligibility for developmental disability services
2. Send the records they ask for and complete the eligibility review
3. Once you get your Statement of Approval, ask to be placed on the Request for Services Registry
4. Complete the Screening for Urgency of Need (SUN) when OIDD calls you, and keep your contact information current
5. Adults 21 and older usually receive a Supports Waiver offer first; ages 18 to 20 out of school may choose Supports or Children's Choice

Have these ready

• Proof of developmental disability that began before age 22 (school, medical or psychological records)
• Current phone number and address
• Social Security number
• Medicaid card if you have one

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

Adults 21 and older who meet nursing facility level of care and Medicaid eligibility, including older adults and adults with disabilities.

Start with: Louisiana Options in Long-Term Care · (877) 456-1146 · Website (opens in a new tab)

Names go on the Community Choices Waiver Request for Services Registry; priority groups get offers first and everyone else is offered services by date of request.

Medicaid eligibility is decided as part of the waiver.

Steps

1. Call Louisiana Options in Long-Term Care at 1-877-456-1146 (TTY 1-855-296-0226), Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
2. Ask to add your name to the Community Choices Waiver Request for Services Registry
3. Answer the screening questions
4. When you get an offer, finish the assessment and the long term care Medicaid application
5. Choose a support coordination agency and plan your services

Have these ready

• Social Security number
• Medicaid card if you have one
• List of help needed with daily activities
• Income and resource information

About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

Children and youth with serious emotional or behavioral health needs who are at risk of out-of-home placement and meet CSoC criteria on the CANS brief assessment.

Start with: Magellan of Louisiana (Coordinated System of Care) · (800) 424-4489 · Website (opens in a new tab)

Louisiana reported no one waiting for mental health home and community services in KFF 2026 state data.

You do not need Medicaid first.

Steps

1. With the parent or guardian present, call Magellan of Louisiana at 1-800-424-4489, or call the child's Healthy Louisiana plan
2. Answer the risk questions and the CANS brief assessment
3. If eligible, Magellan refers you to a Wraparound Agency in your region
4. Meet with the Wraparound facilitator to build a child and family team and plan

Have these ready

• Child's Medicaid or insurance card
• Parent or guardian consent
• Information on the child's behavioral health needs and recent crises

About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

Adults who need nursing facility level of care and want services at an adult day health care center. Exact age rules were not confirmed in this pass.

Start with: Louisiana Options in Long-Term Care · (877) 456-1146 · Website (opens in a new tab)

Offers come from the ADHC Request for Services Registry by priority group: abuse or neglect cases, recent hospital stays, and nursing facility residents first, then everyone else by request date.

Medicaid eligibility is decided as part of the waiver.

Steps

1. Call Louisiana Options in Long-Term Care at 1-877-456-1146
2. Ask to apply for the Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) Waiver
3. Answer the screening questions
4. Complete the assessment and long term care Medicaid application if asked
5. Choose an ADHC center and support coordinator

Have these ready

• Social Security number
• Medicaid card if you have one
• List of help needed with daily activities
• Income and resource information

About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas