State Medicaid Waiver Directory
Find your state's Katie Beckett waiver, TEFRA pathway, HCBS programs, and Medicaid eligibility rules for children and adults with disabilities. Each guide covers waitlists, application steps, income limits, and parent caregiver pay options.
For informational purposes only — not legal, medical, or financial advice. Medicaid rules, eligibility, and waitlists change frequently. Always verify with your state's official Medicaid agency before making decisions. Cross-check with Medicaid.gov's official waiver page.
Florida
Program Overview
Overview
Florida has multiple child-relevant waiver routes. The Model Waiver is for medically fragile children. The iBudget Waiver system serves individuals with developmental disabilities but has a significant waitlist issue.
Katie Beckett or similar pathway
Florida does not have a Katie Beckett or TEFRA pathway. The state relies on specific waiver programs rather than a unified income-disregard route for children.
Child-relevant waivers
The main child-relevant routes are the Model Waiver for medically fragile children and the iBudget Waiver through the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD). For adults with physical disabilities or nursing-facility-level care needs, the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care (SMMC LTC) program is the primary route. SMMC LTC is managed through Medicaid managed care plans and covers personal care, home health, adult day health, and other HCBS supports for adults who require nursing-facility level of care.
Eligibility
Getting Started
Practical next step
Contact Florida AHCA about the Model Waiver for medically fragile children, or contact APD for developmental disability pathways. Ask about the current iBudget waitlist. For non-Medicaid supports, contact Florida VR, FAAST, or Family Network on Disabilities.
Services & Support
Parent caregiver pay
Florida created a Family Home Health Aide program for medically fragile children that pays parent caregivers for complex skilled services, including tube feedings and trach care, after completing a training program. Through a 1915(j) amendment, parents of minor children in the iBudget Waiver and categorical Medicaid can also be paid for self-directed personal care services, and parents who are nurses can be paid.
Additional notes
The APD waitlist is one of the most significant practical challenges for Florida families. Getting on the list early is commonly recommended. Adults with physical disabilities should ask about SMMC LTC enrollment through their Medicaid managed care plan.
State-Specific Resources
Florida Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) — Employment Services
Florida VR (rehabworks.org) is a federal-state program helping people with disabilities obtain and maintain employment. Services include vocational evaluation, job training, assistive technology, education support, and job placement. VR also serves transition-age youth (ages 14+). Services are free and available statewide.
FAAST (Florida Alliance for Assistive Services & Technology) — Device Loans & Reuse
FAAST (faast.org) provides assistive technology demonstrations, short-term device loans for trial, device reuse programs, and information on AT funding. Services available statewide for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers.
Florida Early Steps — Early Intervention Birth to Age 3
Early Steps (floridaearlysteps.com) provides free early intervention services to infants and toddlers birth through age 3 with developmental delays, disabilities, or at-risk conditions. Services are provided in natural environments (homes and communities) and are family-focused.
Family Network on Disabilities (FND) — Family Advocacy & Support
FND (fndusa.org) is a statewide resource for families of children with disabilities across Florida. Services include peer support, advocacy training, information about special education and IEPs, and connection to local resources. Centers located throughout the state.
Disability Rights Florida (DRF) — Legal Advocacy & P&A
DRF (disabilityrightsflorida.org) is the state's Protection and Advocacy agency, providing free legal services, advocacy, and information on disability rights, education rights, employment issues, assistive technology access, and abuse/neglect.
Florida Workers' Compensation & Temporary Disability — Occupational Benefits
Florida's Workers' Compensation program covers occupational injuries and illness. Some private insurers offer voluntary Paid Family Leave Insurance in Florida. FMLA provides unpaid leave but Florida does not have a state-mandated paid family leave program.
Sources
Recent news for Florida
Boca Raton Tribune · October 2, 2026 · Housing & Employment
In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, this piece encourages businesses to evaluate their hiring practices to be more inclusive.
keysnews.com · October 2, 2026 · Caregiving
A local organization called MARC is celebrating six decades of providing support services to residents living with disabilities in their community.
Medical Economics · October 1, 2026 · Research, Funding & Budget
A medical industry update covering healthcare models, research, and a specific case of healthcare fraud involving Medicare.
Community Tips & Experience
Comments reflect the personal experiences and opinions of individual community members only. They do not represent the views, positions, or endorsements of National Disability Resource Project or any of its staff, volunteers, or affiliated members. Always verify information with official agencies and qualified professionals before making decisions.
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