State Medicaid Waiver Directory

Vermont has a TEFRA State Plan Option (SPA) that disregards parental income for children with disabilities who need institutional-level care but can live at home. Contact Vermont DAIL or DCF and ask specifically about the TEFRA or Katie Beckett pathway for children.

Vermont's Choices for Care Medicaid waiver and the DS Waiver are primary routes. Vermont also has a strong family support model. Choices for Care is Vermont's primary HCBS program for adults who are elderly or have physical disabilities and need nursing-facility level of care. Importantly, Choices for Care is not limited to elderly individuals — adults with physical disabilities of any age who meet nursing-facility level of care criteria can access it. It covers personal care, home health aide, adult day services, respite, and community supports.

DS program serves individuals with intellectual disabilities or developmental disabilities.

Vermont Medicaid financial eligibility applies.

Level-of-care criteria are established through DS program assessment.

DS program serves individuals of various ages including children.

HireAbility Vermont (hireabilityvt.com), formerly the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, helps Vermonters with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep employment. Services include vocational counseling, job training, assistive technology, supported employment, and transition services for youth (ages 14+). Services are free and available statewide. Transition counselors work with students before they leave high school.

VATP (atp.vermont.gov) provides free 30-day equipment loans for trial, hands-on device demonstrations at regional tryout centers, and technical assistance for individuals of all ages with any disability or aging-related need. The program helps people find accessible solutions at home, work, school, and in the community. No Medicaid required — open to all Vermont residents.

Vermont Family Network (vermontfamilynetwork.org) empowers and supports families of children with disabilities and special health needs. Services include parent-to-parent support, special education guidance, IEP and 504 plan help, transition planning, advocacy training, and a statewide network of family support specialists. The organization also offers respite funding connections and policy advocacy. Phone: (802) 876-5315.

Vermont's early intervention program serves families with children birth through age 2 with developmental delays or disabilities. Services are provided in homes and natural environments and are family-centered. Referrals can be made by anyone. Contact Vermont DAIL or your local designated agency — Vermont's birth-to-three network is coordinated through local community-based agencies across the state.

DRVT (disabilityrightsvt.org) is Vermont's Protection and Advocacy agency, providing free legal advice, advocacy, and representation to individuals with disabilities statewide. Services cover disability rights, education rights, employment issues, Medicaid access, assistive technology, and abuse or neglect. DRVT also operates the Client Assistance Program (CAP) for issues related to vocational rehabilitation.

Vermont's Parental and Family Leave Act provides eligible workers with up to 12 weeks of job-protected unpaid leave for the birth or adoption of a child, and up to 4 hours of leave to attend a child's school activities. Vermont does not currently have a state-mandated paid family leave or temporary disability insurance program for private-sector workers, though some state employees have access to a voluntary paid leave insurance plan through a state-sponsored program.