Understanding Indiana’s Medicaid Waivers: FSW & CIH
Empowering Hoosier Families with Support and Services
Indiana offers vital Medicaid Waiver programs that help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) live more independently in their homes and communities. Two of the most impactful waivers are the Family Supports Waiver (FSW) and the Community Integration and Habilitation (CIH) Waiver.
What Are Medicaid Waivers?
Medicaid Waivers allow states to use federal and state funds to provide services outside of institutional settings. In Indiana, these waivers are administered by the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) and are designed to support individuals with I/DD through personalized, community-based care.
Family Supports Waiver (FSW)
The FSW provides services to individuals with I/DD who live with their families or independently. It offers a set budget for services such as:
- Respite care
- Behavioral therapy
- Employment support
- Personal assistance
This waiver is not needs-based, meaning it is available to all who meet the eligibility criteria, regardless of urgency.
Community Integration and Habilitation (CIH) Waiver
The CIH Waiver is needs-based and designed for individuals with more intensive support requirements. To qualify, applicants must meet at least one priority criterion, such as:
- Loss of a primary caregiver
- Transitioning from institutional care
- Facing extraordinary health or safety risks
The CIH Waiver offers more extensive services than the FSW and is tailored to those with the most significant needs.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for either waiver, individuals must:
- Have a documented intellectual or developmental disability with onset before age 22
- Show substantial limitations in at least three of six life areas (e.g., self-care, mobility, communication)
- Meet the ICF/IID Level of Care criteria
For children under 18, only the child’s income and assets are considered for Medicaid eligibility—not the parents’.
How to Apply
Families can apply for waiver services through the BDS Gateway at bddsgateway.fssa.in.gov. The application process includes submitting a Confirmation of Diagnosis (COD) and undergoing a Level of Care screening.