Finding gainful, long-term employment as an individual with a disability can be a monumental challenge. Thankfully, there are state-provided employment support resources that help with career development, job training, and more. If you or a loved one has a developmental disability and is looking for supported employment, a Medicaid waiver could be the ticket. Read on as we share three LA Medicaid waivers that provide employment assistance for people with disabilities.
LA Medicaid Waivers That Support Employment for People with Disabilities
The below Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD) Medicaid waivers all offer benefits that could be extremely helpful to those with developmental disabilities.
Supports Waiver
The Supports Waiver was started in 2006 to help those with developmental disabilities take advantage of opportunities they might not otherwise be privy to.
It’s for people 18 years and older and offers the following benefits and services in addition to medically necessary Medicaid services:
- Supported employment (individual and group) – job development, placement, supports, and a work-based learning assessment.
- Prevocational services – career planning and skill development.
- Transportation
- Support coordination
- Permanent supportive housing stabilization
- Day habilitation
- And more
This waiver provides loads of benefits for jobseekers with developmental disabilities. Learn more information about the waiver and how to apply.
Residential Options Waiver (ROW)
Though it isn’t as geared toward employment support as the Supports waiver, the Residential Options Waiver (ROW) could also be promising. It’s primarily for helping people with developmental disabilities transition to the home or community after being discharged from an Intermediate Care Facility for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ICD/IDD). They receive care and services up to a pre-specified dollar amount.
If you qualify for this waiver, you can receive prevocational services and supported employment in addition to:
- One-time transition services
- Support coordination
- Community living supports
- Assistive technology/specialized medical equipment and supplies
- Professional services
- Nursing services
- Dental services
- And more
As with other waivers, these services are provided based on Medicaid’s assessment of your individual needs. Find out more about this waiver and how to apply.
New Opportunities Waiver (NOW)
Another LA Medicaid waiver that could provide job support is the New Opportunities Waiver (NOW). The waiver was put in place to empower people with disabilities to experience a higher quality of life with dignity and security while living in the community rather than in an institutional setting.
As part of this waiver, recipients gain access to supported employment and transportation, prevocational services, and the following:
- Skilled nursing services
- Adult companion care
- Professional services
- Day habilitation
- Supported living
- And more
Want to know more about the NOW? Read this article about the waiver.
Get Help with Support Coordination
Medicaid’s overarching goal is to provide the resources individuals with developmental disabilities need to prosper in life, whether it be employment assistance, prevocational services, or something else entirely. If you’re having trouble finding the resources you need, don’t hesitate to contact a support coordinator. They are standing by to advocate for you, help you overcome hurdles, and get the most out of your Medicaid coverage.
