Colorado offers several adult HCBS waivers, including the Developmental Disabilities (DD) and Supported Living Services (SLS) waivers. These waivers provide essential supports—like personal care, day services, and habilitation—on top of what Medicaid normally covers. To access these, applicants must be enrolled in Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid) and meet both medical (level of care) and financial eligibility requirements.
Start the transition process early. Applications for adult waivers like SLS or DD can take up to 9 months to be approved.To get ahead, families can initiate the waiver application and enroll on the waitlist as early as age 17 years and 9 months, helping ensure continuity of services after turning 18.
Get a Developmental Disability Determination by age 14. This enables placement on the DD waiver waitlist later on.
Engage with your Community Centered Board (CCB) or local case management agency. They’re your main point of access and will guide you through eligibility, applications, and support coordination.
Apply for adult waivers through your CCB. They’ll complete essential assessments—including a Functional Needs or Level-of-Care evaluation—and submit your application.
Be prepared for potential waitlists, especially for the DD waiver, by maintaining updated documentation and staying in regular contact with your case manager.
If the individual is currently in a long-term care facility—such as a nursing home or ICF/IID—and wants to move to community-based living, they may qualify for Transition Services, designed to help make that move successfully. A qualifying life event (such as aging out of a parental home or caregiver no longer being available) could also trigger eligibility for these services. In such cases, contact your HCBS case manager to begin the process.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1. Early Planning | Start transition preparation before age 18—ideally by 17 years, 9 months. |
| 2. Eligibility | Obtain a developmental disability determination by age 14. |
| 3. Engagement | Connect with your local CCB or case manager. |
| 4. Application | Apply for the DD or SLS waiver and complete the Level-of-Care assessment. |
| 5. Waitlist | Monitor status and maintain updated records while on the waitlist. |
| 6. Transition Services | If applicable, contact your case manager about Transition Services for moving from institutional to community living. |
Check out this helpful guide for adult transitions created by one of our partner Case Management Agencies!
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