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Prior to 1991, the Federal Medicaid program paid for services for people served by the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN) only if the person lived in an institution. The approval of Federal Home and Community Based Waiver programs allowed Medicaid to pay for services to people in their homes and in their communities. Section 1915(c) of the Federal Social Security Act enables the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to collaborate with DDSN to operate a Home and Community-Based Waiver program for people with an intellectual or related disability.

Intellectual Disability/Related Disabilities (ID/RD) Waiver Information Sheet (PDF)

ID/RD Waiver Participation

To participate in the ID/RD Waiver, a person must:

  • be diagnosed with an Intellectual Disability or a Related Disability.
  • be eligible to receive Medicaid or already qualify for Medicaid.
  • require the degree of care that would be provided in an ICF/IID; therefore, meet ICF/IID Level of Care criteria.
  • be given the option of receiving services in his/her home and community or in an ICF/IID and choose to receive services in the home and community.
  • have needs that can be met by the ID/RD Waiver.
  • be allocated a waiver slot.
  • be informed of the alternatives covered by the ID/RD Waiver, choose to receive ID/RD Waiver services, and choose among qualified providers.

ID/RD Waiver Termination

ID/RD Waiver Enrollment is terminated when the participant:

  • is admitted to an ICF/IID or nursing facility.
  • no longer meets ICF/IID Level of Care.
  • is no longer eligible for Medicaid, as determined by SCDHHS.
  • voluntarily withdraws or no longer wishes to receive services funded by the ID/RD Waiver.
  • does not receive two ID/RD Waiver services each calendar month.
  • moves out of state.
  • moves to another Waiver.

Applying for ID/RD Waiver Services

  • Contact your assigned Case Manager/Early Interventionist (CM/EI). If you are not receiving Case Management or Early Intervention, contact DDSN at 1-800-289-7012 to apply for services.
  • Inform your CM/EI or DDSN that you wish to apply for the ID/RD Waiver. They will work with you to gather the information needed to complete the application.
  • You will receive a written response from DDSN regarding your ID/RD Waiver application.

Applying for DDSN Services

  • For persons under age 3, application must be made through BabyNet. BabyNet eligibility/services do not have to be obtained in order to apply for the ID/RD Waiver. To apply for BabyNet services, call the Central Referral Team at 1-866-512-8881 or complete the online referral form at https://babynet.scdhhs.gov/prebabynet/.
  • For persons age 3 and older, contact DDSN at 1-800-289-7012 to apply for services.
  • If you are screened appropriate for consideration of eligibility, you will choose an Intake provider, who will assist you with completing the eligibility process. Application for ID/RD Waiver services can be made at this time.
  • If you are determined eligible for DDSN services, you will be added to the appropriate waiver waiting list if you have not been added previously.
  • An applicant found ineligible for DDSN services will be notified in writing, including reason(s) for denial. This notification will provide information on how to appeal denial of eligibility.

Your Annual Plan

An annual plan of services and supports must be completed within 364 days of the previous plan. If the new plan is not completed by the 364th day, Medicaid cannot pay for services provided. Please work with your Waiver Case Manager to make sure that your plan is completed at least once every year.

Intellectual Disability/Related Disabilities Waiver Services

ID/RD Waiver services are provided based on identified needs of the person and the appropriateness of the service to meet the need. Services may be limited due to provider availability. The following services are available through the ID/RD Waiver:

Services to assist people who exhibit problem behaviors learn why the behavior occurs and to teach new appropriate behaviors which are effective and improve their quality of life.

Physical adaptations to the person’s home which are necessary to ensure the health, welfare and safety of the person (e.g. installation of ramps and grab-bars, widening of doorways, modification of bathroom facilities, etc.); lifetime cap of $15,000.

An electronic device that enables those at high risk of institutionalization to secure help in an emergency; limited to those who live alone or who are alone in their own home for significant parts of the day or night and who would otherwise require extensive routine supervision.

Assist in maintaining an environment free of insects such as roaches and other potential disease carriers to enhance safety, sanitation, and cleanliness of the person’s home/or residence.

Modifications to a privately owned vehicle used to transport the person (e.g. installation of a lift, tie downs, lowering the floor of the vehicle, raising the roof, etc.); limit of $7,500 per vehicle with a lifetime cap of 2 vehicles.

Are used to determine the specific modifications/equipment, any follow-up inspection after modifications are completed, and training in use of equipment for a Private Vehicle Modification.

Care, skills training and supervision in a non-institutional setting.

Care provided on a short-term basis because of the absence or need for relief of those persons normally providing the care; limited to 68 hours per month unless approved for an exception by SCDDSN.

Devices, controls, appliances, items necessary for life support, ancillary supplies, equipment, remote supports and durable and non-durable equipment not available through State Plan Medicaid that provides medical or remedial benefit to the person.

May be provided (if not covered by State Plan Medicaid) to determine specific needs related to the person’s disability for which specialized medical equipment and assistive technology will assist the person to function more independently.

Non-medical care, supervision and assistance provided in a non-institutional, group setting outside of the person’s home to people who, because of their disability, are unable to care for and supervise themselves.

Services that assist people in gaining access to needed waiver, State plan and other services, regardless of the funding sources for the services to which access is gained.

Services Available for Adults

Assistance with activities of daily living and personal care for adults (age 21 or older) who are able to self-direct their care; limited to 34 hours per week (34 combined hours of Adult Attendant, Adult Companion and Personal Care).

Non-medical care, supervision, and socialization provided to an adult (age 21 or older); limited to 34 hours per week (34 combined hours of Adult Attendant Care, Adult Companion and Personal Care).

Care furnished to someone 18 or older 5 or more hours per day for one or more days per week, in an outpatient setting, encompassing both health and social services.

Provided in ADHC center; limited to ostomy care, urinary catheter care, decubitus/wound care, tracheotomy care, tube feedings and nebulizer treatment.

Extension of the State Plan Medicaid benefit for adults (21 or older).

Extension of the State Plan Medicaid benefit for adults (21 or older).

Extension of the State Plan Medicaid benefit for adults (21 or older).

Services aimed at preparing people for careers through exposure to and experience with various careers and through teaching such concepts as compliance, attendance, task completion, problem solving, safety, self-determination and self-advocacy.

Services aimed at developing one’s awareness of, interaction with and/or participation in his/her community through exposure to and experience in the community and through teaching such concepts as self-determination, self-advocacy, socialization and the accrual of social capital.

Activities and services provided in therapeutic settings to enable people to achieve, maintain, improve or decelerate the loss of personal care, social or adaptive skills.

Intensive, on-going supports for people for whom competitive employment at or above minimum wage is unlikely absent the provision of supports and who, because of their disabilities, need supports to perform in a regular work setting.

Diapers, under pads, wipes, liners, and disposable gloves provided to people who are at least twenty-one (21) years old and who are incontinent of bowel and/or bladder according to the established medical criteria.

Services intended to develop, maintain, and improve the community-living skills of a waiver participant. Includes direct training from a qualified staff person. Must be 18 years of age and no longer able to participate in programs funded by the public school system.

Services provided within the scope of the South Carolina Nurse Practice Act, as ordered by a physician. Nursing Services are available through State Plan Medicaid for those under 21.

Assistance with personal care and activities of daily living for those 21 or older; limited to 34 hours per week. Personal Care Services are available through State Plan Medicaid for those under 21.