Disability services in Harris County, Texas

People with full Medicaid who meet an institutional level of care (nursing facility, ICF/IID, or psychiatric), including people with IDD.

Start with: Your Medicaid health plan (STAR+PLUS, STAR Kids, STAR Health); LIDDA for people with IDD · Number on the back of your Medicaid card; or your LIDDA · Website (opens in a new tab)

CFC is a Medicaid State Plan benefit, so there is no interest list for people who qualify.

Steps

1. Apply for Medicaid if you do not have it.
2. Call your health plan and ask for a Community First Choice assessment.
3. If you have an intellectual or developmental disability, call your LIDDA to ask about CFC.
4. Complete the level of care assessment.
5. Choose personal attendant or habilitation services with your service coordinator.

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People with a related condition (a disability other than intellectual disability that began before age 22) that affects daily life and who meet ICF/IID level of care.

Start with: HHSC interest list line · (877) 438-5658 · Website (opens in a new tab)

The wait for an interest list offer can be many years; people are offered a slot in order of their request date.

Steps

1. Call HHSC at 1-877-438-5658 and ask to be added to the interest list.
2. Ask to be added to other lists you may want, such as HCS (through your LIDDA).
3. Keep your address and phone up to date with HHSC.
4. When you get an offer letter, answer by the deadline.
5. Complete the assessment and Medicaid steps HHSC asks for.

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People of any age with an intellectual disability or a related condition who meet ICF/IID level of care and can live in the community.

Start with: Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authority (LIDDA) · See your LIDDA · Website (opens in a new tab)

HCS uses a statewide interest list; the person with the longest time on the list is offered services first.

Steps

1. Find your LIDDA by county on the HHS LIDDA directory.
2. Call your LIDDA and ask to be added to the HCS interest list.
3. Ask to be added to the TxHmL list and other lists (CLASS, MDCP, STAR+PLUS HCBS) at the same time, by calling 1-877-438-5658.
4. Update your address and phone with the LIDDA every time they change.
5. When you get an offer letter, answer by the deadline and work with the LIDDA on eligibility.

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People of any age with an intellectual disability or a related condition who live in their own home or with family and meet ICF/IID level of care.

Start with: Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authority (LIDDA) · See your LIDDA · Website (opens in a new tab)

TxHmL uses a statewide interest list served in order of request date.

Steps

1. Find your LIDDA by county on the HHS LIDDA directory.
2. Call your LIDDA and ask to be added to the TxHmL interest list.
3. Ask to be added to the HCS list at the same time.
4. Keep your contact information up to date with the LIDDA.
5. Answer any offer letter by the deadline.

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Children and young adults under 21 who are medically dependent and meet nursing facility level of care. Parent income is not counted.

Start with: HHSC interest list line · (877) 438-5658 · Website (opens in a new tab)

The wait for an interest list offer can be many years; people are offered a slot in order of their request date.

Steps

1. Call HHSC at 1-877-438-5658 and ask to be added to the interest list.
2. Ask to be added to other lists you may want, such as HCS (through your LIDDA).
3. Keep your address and phone up to date with HHSC.
4. When you get an offer letter, answer by the deadline.
5. Complete the assessment and Medicaid steps HHSC asks for.

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Most Texans on Medicaid. STAR+PLUS covers adults with disabilities and people 65 and older.

Start with: Texas Medicaid managed care (STAR, STAR+PLUS, STAR Kids, STAR Health) · 2-1-1 or 1-877-541-7905 · Website (opens in a new tab)

Managed care itself has no wait, but STAR+PLUS home and community-based services (HCBS) use an interest list (1-877-438-5658).

Steps

1. Apply for Medicaid at YourTexasBenefits.com or by calling 2-1-1.
2. When approved, watch for your enrollment packet.
3. Choose a health plan within 15 days of getting the packet, by phone, mail, or at an enrollment event.
4. If you need home care to avoid a nursing home, ask about STAR+PLUS HCBS and the interest list at 1-877-438-5658.

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Children and youth ages 3 through 18 with serious mental, emotional, or behavioral needs and a qualifying diagnosis who are at risk of out-of-home placement or meet psychiatric hospital criteria. Parent income does not count.

Start with: Local Mental Health Authority or Local Behavioral Health Authority (LMHA/LBHA) · See the YES Waiver inquiry line list on the HHS YES page · Website (opens in a new tab)

Families are added to a YES Waiver inquiry list at the local authority before assessment.

Steps

1. Find your local mental or behavioral health authority.
2. Call and ask to be added to the YES Waiver inquiry list.
3. A parent, guardian, or managing conservator must make the request (unless the youth is emancipated).
4. Complete the assessment when the local authority calls you.

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People who are deaf and blind and have another disability, and who meet ICF/IID level of care.

Start with: HHSC interest list line · (877) 438-5658 · Website (opens in a new tab)

The wait for an interest list offer can be many years; people are offered a slot in order of their request date.

Steps

1. Call HHSC at 1-877-438-5658 and ask to be added to the interest list.
2. Ask to be added to other lists you may want, such as HCS (through your LIDDA).
3. Keep your address and phone up to date with HHSC.
4. When you get an offer letter, answer by the deadline.
5. Complete the assessment and Medicaid steps HHSC asks for.

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers for Harris County