What is a Medicaid waiver?

A Medicaid waiver is federal approval for a state to use Medicaid funding in flexible ways — typically to provide home and community-based services (HCBS) that allow people with disabilities to live at home rather than in institutions. Each state designs and operates its own waivers, so programs, eligibility, and services vary significantly.

Can a parent get paid to care for a disabled child?

In some states and some programs, yes. Whether a parent can be paid as a Medicaid caregiver depends on the specific waiver or program, whether the program allows self-direction, and whether the state excludes legally responsible relatives from paid caregiver roles. Rules vary significantly by state and program. Check your state's guide and the Family Caregiver Pay page on this site.

Where do I start if my child was just diagnosed with a disability?

Start by looking up your state's Medicaid programs for children with disabilities, including any Katie Beckett or TEFRA pathways. Apply for SSI if your child has a significant disability — this can open access to Medicaid and other programs. Contact your school district in writing if your child is school age. And get on any relevant waitlists as early as possible, since many have multi-year waits. The "Just Diagnosed" guide on this site walks through each step.

Free Disability Resource Hub

Medicaid Waivers & Disability Services — State-by-State Guides

Q: What is Katie Beckett?

Katie Beckett refers to a type of Medicaid pathway that allows some children with significant disabilities to qualify for Medicaid based on their own needs rather than their parents' income. The pathway is meant to help children receive care at home rather than in hospitals or nursing facilities. Not all states use the "Katie Beckett" name — similar programs may be called TEFRA or operate through state-specific waivers.

Free guides to Katie Beckett waivers, TEFRA, HCBS programs, and Medicaid eligibility for children and adults with disabilities in all 50 states. Built for disabled people, families, and caregivers navigating these systems at any stage of life.

Find Your State's Medicaid Waivers What is Katie Beckett?Where to start

50States covered

20+Family guides

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You're navigating disability systems. You need answers fast.

The National Disability Resource Project provides free, state-by-state guides to Medicaid waivers, Katie Beckett pathways, disability services, and support programs for children and adults. Whether you just got a diagnosis, need to understand waiver rules, want to know about caregiver pay options, or are planning financial support—this site is designed for you.

Every guide is researched directly from state and federal sources and updated regularly. We focus on plain language, practical information, and the specific rules that apply in your state—not jargon or generalized advice.

We're not here to give you an overview. We're here to help you figure out what to do next — built by people who have been in these systems and know how hard it is to find straight answers.

No signup. No ads. Free, always.

Find your state's Medicaid waiver programs

Click your state to see its Medicaid waiver programs

Thank you! Mom to medical twins here in TX and it takes so much work, time, research, and constant coordination on our own. The programs are so hard to access due to gate keeping, lack of awareness, barriers, so on and so on. Thank you for this. Shared and followed!

— Tally, TikTok

Incredible. So many people need those resources. For some reason the healthcare system seems to only direct you if asked specifically. Often you don't even know what to ask.

— life_with_evergreen, TikTok

This is amazing! My son is special needs and we are so lost after his diagnosis.

— Kyla, TikTok

Thank you! As a mom of a child with a disability, this is super helpful! I'm also a member of my town's special education local advisory committee. I will definitely share this resource! Thank you, thank you, thank you ❤️

— rhodeislandmom, TikTok

Find your state's Medicaid waiver programs

Each state guide covers Katie Beckett waivers, TEFRA options, HCBS (Home and Community-Based Services) waivers, programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and Medicaid eligibility pathways for children and adults.

Search all 50 states plus DC and Puerto Rico to compare waitlists, application processes, income limits, level-of-care requirements, and options for paid family caregiving.

Common questions

•What is a Katie Beckett waiver and how does it work in my state?
•Does my state have a TEFRA pathway for children with disabilities?
•What HCBS waivers are available for developmental disabilities?
•How long is the Medicaid waiver waitlist in my state?
•Can parents get paid to provide care through Medicaid waivers?

What you will find here

Each state includes dedicated space for children's services, adult services, waiver information, eligibility notes, application steps, school transition planning, and community tips.

Built for real people

This layout is made to feel professional, simple, and easy to update over time as more state information is added.

Community help matters

Every state includes a community comment section so people can share experience-based tips, useful contacts, and practical information.

Just diagnosed? Start here

Your first 5 steps

Overwhelmed and unsure where to begin? Here's a gentle guide for brand-new families.

Find your state's programs

Look up your state's Medicaid waiver options and Katie Beckett pathways.

Find my state →

Apply for SSI or Medicaid

SSI opens the door to Medicaid, therapies, and many waiver programs.

Learn about SSI →

Get on waiver waitlists

Many states have years-long waitlists — apply as early as possible.

About waitlists →

Contact your school district

Children under 21 have education rights. Request an IEP evaluation in writing.

School supports →

Connect with other families

Parent-to-parent support is one of the most valuable resources available.

Find support →

What's new

Updated weekly

Oct 5

Fact-checked parent caregiver pay for all 52 states against Kids' Waivers 2026 tracker, adding 7 missing state sections and updating 25 outdated entries

State guide parent-pay sections (stateData.js), Parent Paid Caregiver by State page, Family Caregiver Pay page

Oct 4

Fact-checked and corrected Katie Beckett/TEFRA claims for Tennessee, Utah, Indiana, Minnesota, Connecticut, Arizona, West Virginia, Hawaii, Alabama, and Florida state guides

State guide panels (stateData.js pathways, overviews, finance, waivers, waitlists, parentPaid, next steps, resources)

Frequently asked questions

Free Medicaid waiver and disability resource guides for all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

The National Disability Resource Project (NDRP) is a Colorado-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping people with disabilities, their families, and caregivers navigate Medicaid, Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers, and state-specific disability programs. We publish free, plain-language resource guides covering eligibility, application processes, provider networks, and rights for every U.S. state and territory. Whether you're searching for respite services, case management support, supported living arrangements, or help understanding an unmet needs allocation, our state-by-state guides are designed to help you find the right resources faster.

About the National Disability Resource Project

NDRP was founded to address a simple but persistent problem: navigating disability services in the United States is unnecessarily difficult. Eligibility rules, waiver programs, and service models vary dramatically from state to state, and most families learn the system only after a crisis. We exist to compress that learning curve.

Our work spans three areas: state-by-state Medicaid waiver and HCBS guides; plain-language explainers on disability rights, services navigation, and policy; and free legal and educational resources for self-advocates, families, and professionals. NDRP is incorporated in Colorado (Entity ID 20261437207) and recognized as a federal nonprofit (EIN 42-1817941).

What You'll Find Here

Medicaid eligibility guides for every state
HCBS waiver explainers covering 1915(c), 1915(i), and 1915(k)
State Developmental Disability agency directories
Respite care and family caregiver resources
Supported living, supported employment, and day program guides
Appeals, fair hearings, and unmet needs allocation guidance
Plain-language explainers on the ADA, IDEA, and Section 504

Quick access

Where would you like to go?

I need help nowFind who to call first State Medicaid infoAll 50 states covered School supportsIEPs, 504s & more Planning & benefitsTrusts, ABLE, SSI & SSDI Community resourcesNational nonprofits