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.
Oklahoma
Program Overview
Overview
Oklahoma has a Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) system, an HCBS Waiver program, and a TEFRA (Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act) pathway for children with disabilities. Oklahoma's Medicaid program is called SoonerCare.
Katie Beckett or similar pathway
Oklahoma has a TEFRA pathway called 'TEFRA Care of Children with Disabilities,' administered through the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA). TEFRA allows children under age 19 with physical or mental disabilities to qualify for SoonerCare based on their own income and resources rather than their parents' income. Children must have a qualifying disability, be under 19, and meet level-of-care criteria. Applications are made through OHCA.
Child-relevant waivers
The DDS Waiver and the ADvantage Waiver (for elderly/adults with physical disabilities) are the main HCBS options.
Eligibility
Who qualifies
DDS Waiver serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who meet level-of-care criteria.
Financial and income rules
Oklahoma Medicaid financial eligibility applies. Waiver-specific rules also apply.
Level of care
Level-of-care criteria are established through DDS intake and assessment.
Age rules
DDS Waiver serves individuals of various ages including children.
Getting Started
How to apply
Contact Oklahoma DHS DDS for intake and applications.
Documents needed
Disability documentation, level-of-care assessment, and financial information are typically required.
Waitlist information
Oklahoma's DDS Waiver has had waiting periods. Confirm current status with DHS.
Practical next step
Contact Oklahoma DHS DDS and ask about DDS Waiver intake, eligibility, and waitlist status.
Services & Support
Services available
DDS Waiver can cover residential services, day programs, employment supports, and in-home supports.
Parent caregiver pay
We have reports that Oklahoma allows parents who are nurses to be paid to care for their minor children. As of February 2025, Oklahoma also pays legally responsible individuals, including parents of minors, for non-residential Habilitation Training Specialist services up to 40 hours per week for children in developmental disability waivers such as the Community Waiver or In-Home Supports Waiver for Children.
Equipment exchange & assistive technology
Oklahoma ABLE Tech (ok.gov/abletech) — free device demonstrations, short-term loans, reuse programs, and low-interest AT financing statewide.
Mental health and Medicaid coverage
Oklahoma Medicaid (SoonerCare) covers behavioral health services through managed care plans and the fee-for-service program. Covered services include outpatient therapy, psychiatric evaluations, medication management, crisis services, and community support. The Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) oversees public behavioral health and funds community mental health centers. Children can access mental health services through the EPSDT benefit. Oklahoma has invested in school-based mental health and crisis intervention.
Additional notes
Contacting DHS DDS directly to start the intake and assessment process is important, as eligibility reviews can take time and waiver enrollment may have waiting periods.
Sources
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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