Ohio · DODD · PASSPORT · OHC

Ohio Medicaid waiver guide

Ohio operates six home- and community-based services (HCBS) waivers across three separate agencies: DODD County Boards of Developmental Disabilities for I/DD waivers (IO, Level One, SELF, Supported Living), Ohio's Area Agencies on Aging for PASSPORT, and managed care organizations for the Ohio Home Care (OHC) Waiver. WaiverPath helps you track the right track, your county interest list registration date, and every document and deadline along the way.

Individual Options (IO) Waiver

Ohio's most intensive I/DD waiver, serving adults with developmental disabilities who need comprehensive community support. Managed by DODD through County Boards of Developmental Disabilities. Wait times vary significantly by county — some Ohio counties have multi-year IO waiver interest lists. Your interest list registration date is your documented position. Confirm current wait times and eligibility criteria with your County Board of DD.

Level One Waiver

A less intensive I/DD waiver also managed by DODD through County Boards of DD. For individuals who need community supports but do not require the full IO level of service. Entry and interest list registration process is the same as IO — contact your County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Confirm current waiver level eligibility and county interest list procedures with your County Board of DD — waiver level determination is made by the Board based on assessed support needs.

PASSPORT Waiver

Serves adults 60 and older, or adults who meet a nursing-facility level of care need, who want to remain at home rather than enter a facility. Administered by the Ohio Department of Aging through Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs). Contact your local AAA or use aging.ohio.gov to start; an assessment team determines eligibility and level of care. Confirm current eligibility criteria and capacity with your local AAA.

Ohio Home Care (OHC) Waiver

For adults under 60 with physical disabilities who require a nursing-facility level of care. Administered by the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) through managed care organizations (MCOs). Enrollment and services go through your Medicaid MCO. Confirm current OHC eligibility criteria and your MCO's enrollment process directly with ODM or your plan.

SELF Waiver (Self-Empowered Life Funding)

A self-directed version of Ohio's DODD I/DD waivers, for individuals who want to design and manage their own service supports with a budget. Administered through County Boards of DD with the same entry point as IO and Level One. Confirm whether SELF is available in your county and current eligibility requirements directly with your County Board of DD.

Supported Living Waiver

Supports adults with I/DD who are living or intend to live in their own home or apartment rather than a family home or group setting. Also managed by DODD through County Boards. Intake and eligibility work through the same county board process as IO and Level One. Confirm current program requirements and availability with your County Board of DD.

How Ohio waiver applications work in 2026

1
Identify your waiver track
Determine which Ohio waiver applies: DODD County Board waivers (IO, Level One, SELF, Supported Living) for I/DD with onset before age 22; PASSPORT through an Area Agency on Aging for adults 60+ or those meeting nursing-facility level of care; or Ohio Home Care (OHC) through your Medicaid MCO for adults under 60 with physical disabilities. Confirm the right track with the administering agency or a case manager.
2
Confirm Ohio Medicaid enrollment
All Ohio HCBS waivers require active Medicaid enrollment. Apply at benefits.ohio.gov, by phone through your local County Department of Job and Family Services (CDJFS), or in person at a CDJFS office. Keep your Medicaid application confirmation number and Ohio Medicaid ID for your records.
3
Contact the right agency for intake
For DODD waivers: contact your County Board of Developmental Disabilities (dodd.ohio.gov/county-boards) to request an intake appointment. For PASSPORT: contact your local Area Agency on Aging (aging.ohio.gov). For OHC: contact your Medicaid managed care organization (MCO). Record the date, person contacted, and outcome of your first contact.
4
Request eligibility determination and interest list registration
For DODD waivers, the county board completes an eligibility determination and, if eligible, places the individual on the county interest list. Request written confirmation of your interest list registration date from the county board — that date is your documented position. For PASSPORT and OHC, eligibility and enrollment run through the AAA or MCO assessment process.
5
Assemble required documents
For DODD waivers, gather: a psychological evaluation with IQ and adaptive behavior scores (onset before age 22 required), supporting medical records, school or IEP records, Ohio Medicaid enrollment confirmation, and identity documents. For PASSPORT and OHC the document set differs — confirm requirements with your AAA or MCO before your assessment appointment.
6
Keep contact information current and monitor status
Ohio county boards periodically contact families on the interest list to confirm they still want services — missing a contact can result in removal. Keep your address, phone, and email current with your county board. Record the date and outcome of every update call or letter. For PASSPORT and OHC, confirm follow-up steps and status-check intervals with your AAA or MCO.

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The county interest list reality

Ohio DODD waiver interest lists are managed at the county level. Your registration date with your County Board of Developmental Disabilities determines your position — earlier is better. Wait times vary significantly: IO waiver waits in some Ohio counties run several years, while other counties move faster. There is no single statewide waitlist or published count. Request written confirmation of your interest list registration date from your County Board of DD and store it as a permanent record. An invitation to accept a slot sent to a stale address is an invitation missed — keep your contact information current with your county board at all times. Confirm current wait estimates directly with your County Board of DD.

Ohio Medicaid waiver FAQ

Which Ohio Medicaid waiver is right for my family?

It depends on the person's disability type and age. For intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) with onset before age 22, the DODD waivers — IO, Level One, SELF, or Supported Living — are the starting point; contact your County Board of Developmental Disabilities to determine which fits. For adults 60 and older needing home-based care, PASSPORT through an Area Agency on Aging is generally the track. For adults under 60 with physical disabilities, Ohio Home Care (OHC) through your Medicaid MCO is generally the path. Confirm the right track with the administering agency or a case manager.

How do I apply for an Ohio Medicaid waiver?

For DODD waivers (IO, Level One, SELF, Supported Living): contact your County Board of Developmental Disabilities to request an intake appointment — find your county board at dodd.ohio.gov/county-boards. They complete eligibility determination and add eligible individuals to the county interest list. For PASSPORT: contact your local Area Agency on Aging (aging.ohio.gov) — phone intake begins the process. For Ohio Home Care (OHC): contact your Medicaid MCO directly. All Ohio waivers require active Medicaid enrollment; apply at benefits.ohio.gov if not already enrolled.

How long is the Ohio waiver waitlist?

Wait times for DODD waivers (IO, Level One) vary significantly by county. Some Ohio counties have multi-year IO waiver interest lists; others move faster. There is no single published statewide waitlist count. PASSPORT and OHC waitlist lengths also vary by region and available slots. Confirm current wait time estimates directly with your County Board of DD or local AAA. Your interest list registration date determines your position — applying early establishes your place even if the wait is long.

What is a County Board of Developmental Disabilities?

County Boards of DD are county-level agencies in Ohio that manage eligibility, interest lists, and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Each Ohio county has its own board. They are the primary intake and eligibility point for all DODD waivers (IO, Level One, SELF, Supported Living). Find your county board at dodd.ohio.gov/county-boards. Confirm all eligibility and waitlist information directly with your county's board.

What documents do I need for an Ohio waiver application?

For DODD waivers, the core documents typically include: a psychological evaluation with IQ and adaptive behavior scores documenting onset before age 22; supporting medical records or specialist notes; school, IEP, or transition-plan records; Ohio Medicaid enrollment confirmation; and identity documents (birth certificate, state ID or Social Security card). Requirements may vary by county and waiver type. Confirm document requirements with your County Board of DD or the relevant agency before your intake appointment.

What is the PASSPORT Waiver and who qualifies?

PASSPORT is Ohio's HCBS waiver for adults who are 60 or older, or adults who meet a nursing-facility level of care criteria at any age. It is administered through Ohio's Area Agencies on Aging. An AAA assessment team determines eligibility and level of care need. Confirm current eligibility criteria, age thresholds, and availability in your area directly with your local AAA or the Ohio Department of Aging.

Does WaiverPath apply for the waiver on my behalf in Ohio?

No. Ohio's DODD waivers are handled through county board intake appointments; PASSPORT through AAA phone intake and assessment; and OHC through your Medicaid MCO. WaiverPath is your organizer — it helps you identify the right track, record your county interest list registration date, track required documents, and log every agency contact so a targeted invitation or eligibility window does not slip past you.

Related Ohio and national guides

Last reviewed: August 2026.

WaiverPath is not a government agency, law firm, Medicaid provider, or benefits advisor. We help you organize information, documents, and follow-up tasks. Always verify requirements with the official agency or a qualified professional.