Texas waivers and interest lists
Most long-term supports in Texas are paid for by Medicaid, often through a waiver program. Start with Medicaid, then get on the interest list for the program that fits.
Texas calls its waiting lists interest lists. HCS, TxHmL, CLASS, DBMD and MDCP all have one, and some take years. The date you sign up is what counts, and you can be on more than one list at a time. Sign up even if you are not sure you will need services.
The programs
- Home and Community-based Services (HCS): People with an intellectual disability or a related condition.
- Texas Home Living (TxHmL): People with IDD who live in their own home or their family's home.
- Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS): People with a related condition other than intellectual disability that began before age 22.
- Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities (DBMD): People who are deaf and blind and have another disability.
- Medically Dependent Children Program (MDCP): Children and young adults under 21 who are medically dependent. Parent income is not counted.
- Youth Empowerment Services (YES) Waiver: Children and youth with serious mental, emotional and behavioral needs. Ask your local mental health authority.
- Community First Choice (CFC): Anyone with full Medicaid who meets an institutional level of care. No interest list.
- Texas Healthcare Transformation and Quality Improvement Program: The federal agreement behind Texas Medicaid managed care, including STAR+PLUS and STAR Kids.
How to get services in Texas
Most long-term supports are paid for by Medicaid, often through a waiver program. Start with Medicaid, then get on the program that fits. Many programs have a waiting list, so apply early.
Start here Texas Medicaid · Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)
Apply online (opens in a new tab) · Call 2-1-1 or 1-877-541-7905 (after you pick a language, press 2) · Go to an HHSC benefits office. Call 2-1-1 to find one near you.
People who get SSISupplemental Security Income: monthly payments from Social Security for people with disabilities who have low income and few savings. in Texas get Medicaid automatically.
People with disabilities can qualify if they have little income, need nursing facility or ICF/IIDIntermediate care facility for people with intellectual disabilities: a licensed home with care around the clock. care, or get waiver services such as HCS or TxHmL. Adults with disabilities or age 65 and older are served through STAR+PLUS managed care.
For children: Medicaid Buy-In for Children (MBIC): families of children with disabilities whose income is too high for regular Medicaid can pay a monthly premium. Texas has no TEFRAA Medicaid option for children with significant disabilities that looks at the child's own income, not the parents'. Also called Katie Beckett. option; MDCP also does not count parent income.
If you work: Medicaid Buy-In (MBI): for adults with disabilities who work; use Form H1200-MBI.
Steps
- Apply online at YourTexasBenefits.com, or call 2-1-1 and press 2 after you pick a language.
- Use Form H1200 for long-term care Medicaid, H1200-MBI for the adult buy-in, or H1200-MBIC for the children's buy-in.
- Mail, fax ((877) 447-2839), or bring your form to an HHSC benefits office.
- Send any proof HHSC asks for by the due date.
- If approved, choose a health plan within 15 days of getting your enrollment packet.
Have these ready
- Social Security numbers
- Proof of income for everyone in the home
- Bank statements and other resources
- Proof of disability or SSI letter
- Proof of Texas address
- Health insurance cards
Intellectual and developmental disabilities, and autism
Community First Choice (CFC) No waiting list
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.
Apply for Medicaid first.
Steps
- Apply for Medicaid if you do not have it.
- Call your health plan and ask for a Community First Choice assessment.
- If you have an intellectual or developmental disability, call your LIDDA to ask about CFC.
- Complete the level of care assessment.
- Choose personal attendant or habilitation services with your service coordinator.
Have these ready
- Medicaid ID card
- Medical or diagnosis records
- Health plan name
Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authority (LIDDA)
All 39 offices
Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas
Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS) Has a waiting list
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.
Medicaid eligibility is decided as part of the waiver.
Steps
- Call HHSC at (877) 438-5658 and ask to be added to the interest list.
- Ask to be added to other lists you may want, such as HCS (through your LIDDA).
- Keep your address and phone up to date with HHSC.
- When you get an offer letter, answer by the deadline.
- Complete the assessment and Medicaid steps HHSC asks for.
Have these ready
- Name, birth date, and Social Security number
- Current address and phone
- Diagnosis or medical records
- Medicaid ID 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
Home and Community-based Services (HCS) Has a waiting list
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.
Medicaid eligibility is decided as part of the waiver.
Steps
- Find your LIDDA by county on the HHS LIDDA directory.
- Call your LIDDA and ask to be added to the HCS interest list.
- Ask to be added to the TxHmL list and other lists (CLASS, MDCP, STAR+PLUS HCBS) at the same time, by calling (877) 438-5658.
- Update your address and phone with the LIDDA every time they change.
- When you get an offer letter, answer by the deadline and work with the LIDDA on eligibility.
Have these ready
- Name, birth date, and Social Security number
- Current address and phone
- Any diagnosis or psychological records
- Medicaid ID if you have one
Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authority (LIDDA)
Use the same local offices listed under Community First Choice (CFC) above.
Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas
Texas Home Living (TxHmL) Has a waiting list
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.
Medicaid eligibility is decided as part of the waiver.
Steps
- Find your LIDDA by county on the HHS LIDDA directory.
- Call your LIDDA and ask to be added to the TxHmL interest list.
- Ask to be added to the HCS list at the same time.
- Keep your contact information up to date with the LIDDA.
- Answer any offer letter by the deadline.
Have these ready
- Name, birth date, and Social Security number
- Current address and phone
- Any diagnosis or psychological records
- Medicaid ID if you have one
Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authority (LIDDA)
Use the same local offices listed under Community First Choice (CFC) above.
Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas
Brain injury and complex medical needs
Medically Dependent Children Program (MDCP) Has a waiting list
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.
Medicaid eligibility is decided as part of the waiver.
Steps
- Call HHSC at (877) 438-5658 and ask to be added to the interest list.
- Ask to be added to other lists you may want, such as HCS (through your LIDDA).
- Keep your address and phone up to date with HHSC.
- When you get an offer letter, answer by the deadline.
- Complete the assessment and Medicaid steps HHSC asks for.
Have these ready
- Name, birth date, and Social Security number
- Current address and phone
- Diagnosis or medical records
- Medicaid ID 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
Older adults and people with physical disabilities
Texas Healthcare Transformation and Quality Improvement Program Waiting list varies
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).
Apply for Medicaid first.
Steps
- Apply for Medicaid at YourTexasBenefits.com or by calling 2-1-1.
- When approved, watch for your enrollment packet.
- Choose a health plan within 15 days of getting the packet, by phone, mail, or at an enrollment event.
- If you need home care to avoid a nursing home, ask about STAR+PLUS HCBSHome and community based services: help at home, at work, and in the community, paid for by Medicaid. and the interest list at (877) 438-5658.
Have these ready
- Medicaid application proofs (income, ID, Social Security number)
- Enrollment packet
- List of your doctors
Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas
Mental health
Youth Empowerment Services (YES) Waiver Waiting list varies
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.
Medicaid eligibility is decided as part of the waiver.
Steps
- Find your local mental or behavioral health authority.
- Call and ask to be added to the YES Waiver inquiry list.
- A parent, guardian, or managing conservator must make the request (unless the youth is emancipated).
- Complete the assessment when the local authority calls you.
Have these ready
- Child's diagnosis and treatment records
- Child's Social Security number
- Proof of legal guardianship if you are not the parent
Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas
Other programs
Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities (DBMD) Has a waiting list
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.
Medicaid eligibility is decided as part of the waiver.
Steps
- Call HHSC at (877) 438-5658 and ask to be added to the interest list.
- Ask to be added to other lists you may want, such as HCS (through your LIDDA).
- Keep your address and phone up to date with HHSC.
- When you get an offer letter, answer by the deadline.
- Complete the assessment and Medicaid steps HHSC asks for.
Have these ready
- Name, birth date, and Social Security number
- Current address and phone
- Diagnosis or medical records
- Medicaid ID 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
Rules change. Check with the agency before you rely on this. Checked October 2026.