Disability services in New York

Children and youth under 21 with serious emotional, medical or developmental needs who meet an institutional level of care; children can move between this waiver and the OPWDD Comprehensive Waiver.

Start with: Health Home care management or C-YES; children with developmental disabilities go through the OPWDD Front Door · (866) 946-9733 · Website (opens in a new tab)

Enrollment depends on available slots and the child's target group.

Medicaid eligibility is decided as part of the waiver.

Steps

1. For a child with a developmental disability, call OPWDD at 866-946-9733 and ask for your local Front Door
2. For other children, ask a Health Home serving children or C-YES for a Children's Waiver referral
3. Complete the eligibility and level of care assessment
4. Choose a care manager and build the plan of care

Have these ready

• Child's medical, school and evaluation records
• Child's Social Security number
• Medicaid card if the child has one
• Proof of New York residence

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

Children and adults with developmental disabilities that meet New York law and who meet ICF/IID level of care.

Start with: OPWDD Front Door (Developmental Disabilities Regional Offices) · (866) 946-9733 · Website (opens in a new tab)

There is no single statewide waitlist; access to some services, such as housing, depends on need and availability.

Apply for Medicaid first.

Steps

1. Call OPWDD at 866-946-9733 and ask to be transferred to the Front Door office for your county
2. Send an eligibility request with a diagnostic evaluation and a general medical report from the past 12 months
3. Wait for the written notice of decision from the regional office
4. Once eligible, choose a Care Coordination Organization
5. Apply for Medicaid if you do not have it, then enroll in the waiver with your care manager

Have these ready

• Diagnostic evaluation
• Intellectual and adaptive behavior test results
• General medical report from the past 12 months
• 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 ages 18 to 64 with a traumatic brain injury who meet nursing facility level of care.

Start with: Regional Resource Development Centers (RRDCs) · Website (opens in a new tab)

New York reported no one waiting for TBI or older adult and physical disability waiver services in KFF 2026 state data.

Apply for Medicaid first.

Steps

1. Find the RRDC that serves your county
2. Call the RRDC and ask about the TBI Waiver
3. Apply for Medicaid if you do not have it
4. Choose a service coordination agency
5. Work with your service coordinator on your service plan and application

Have these ready

• Medical records showing the brain injury
• Medicaid number or application
• Doctor's name and phone
• Proof of New York residence

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 physical disabilities and seniors 65 and older who meet nursing facility level of care and want to live in the community.

Start with: Regional Resource Development Centers (RRDCs) · Website (opens in a new tab)

New York reported no one waiting for TBI or older adult and physical disability waiver services in KFF 2026 state data.

Apply for Medicaid first.

Steps

1. Find the RRDC that serves your county
2. Call the RRDC and ask about the NHTD Waiver
3. Apply for Medicaid if you do not have it
4. Choose a service coordination agency
5. Work with your service coordinator on your service plan and application

Have these ready

• Medicaid number or application
• Doctor's name and phone
• List of daily tasks you need help with
• Proof of New York residence

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