Ohio · DODD / PASSPORT / OHC Waivers
This checklist helps Ohio families organize the IO, PASSPORT, or OHC waiver application — from confirming Ohio Medicaid enrollment through contacting your County Board of DD or Area Agency on Aging and tracking the interest list. It is an organizer, not an eligibility decision.
Step 1
Ohio has separate programs for intellectual or developmental disabilities, aging, physical disabilities, assisted living, people with Medicare and Medicaid, and qualifying children with serious behavioral health needs. Record the applicant's age, support needs, current coverage, and likely program, then let the operating agency confirm the correct path.
Official source ↗Step 2
Waiver approval requires Medicaid eligibility. Record current Medicaid status and any application confirmation, but do not assume Medicaid coverage by itself guarantees a waiver slot or program eligibility.
Official source ↗Step 3
Ohio's current Form ODM 02399 directs a requester to submit the form to the local County Department of Job and Family Services or call an Ohio Benefits Long-Term Services and Supports agency at 1-844-644-6582 instead. Save the submitted copy or call details.
Official source ↗Step 4
Ask which operating agency or designee will complete intake and assessment, which waiver is being considered, what records are required, and when the assessment will occur. Save the name, contact information, and appointment date.
Official source ↗Step 5
Ohio Home Care covers applicants age 59 or younger who meet Ohio Medicaid, assessment, nursing-facility level-of-care, community-safety, service-plan, cost, and available-slot conditions in the current rule. Ohio Medicaid—not WaiverPath—determines whether those conditions are met.
Official source ↗Step 6
List only the identity, residency, financial, medical, functional, and support records the assigned agency requests. Track who has each record, the request date, the received date, and any follow-up needed.
Official source ↗Step 7
Some Ohio waiver enrollments depend on available authorized capacity. Ask the assigned agency to explain the current status, any priority category it confirms, when to check again, and how changes in circumstances should be reported.
Official source ↗Step 8
Keep the sent date, received date, decision, next step, and deadline for every notice. If a decision is adverse, follow the hearing or appeal instructions printed on the notice rather than relying on a general web summary.
Official source ↗Having these records ready prevents stalls during eligibility review. Collect them before your first County Board of DD appointment.
Psychological evaluation (IQ + adaptive behavior)
Required for DODD eligibility — must show developmental disability with onset before age 22.
Medical records confirming the disability
Specialist notes, diagnosis records, and evaluation reports.
IEP or school records
If the applicant is or was school-age — transition records also useful.
Ohio Medicaid card or enrollment confirmation
Active Medicaid is required before waiver enrollment.
Proof of Ohio residency
Utility bill, lease, or official mail with current address.
Interest list confirmation
Written date confirmation from County Board of DD — save this document.
It depends on the waiver. For DODD waivers (IO, Level One, SELF, Supported Living), start by contacting your County Board of Developmental Disabilities — they complete eligibility determination and place eligible individuals on a county interest list. For the PASSPORT Waiver (adults 60+ or nursing-facility level of care), contact your local Area Agency on Aging. For Ohio Home Care (OHC), contact your Medicaid managed care organization. Ohio Medicaid must be active for any waiver.
Ohio maintains county-level interest lists for DODD waivers. Placement is based on the date you were added; wait times vary significantly by county and waiver type — IO waiver waits in some Ohio counties exceed several years. Request written confirmation of your interest list date from your County Board of DD and keep it as proof of your position.
DODD waivers (IO, Level One, SELF, Supported Living) require a documented developmental disability with onset before age 22. A psychological evaluation with IQ and adaptive behavior scores is typically required for eligibility determination. Your County Board of DD will review records and complete the determination — contact them for the specific documents they require.
Before meeting with your County Board of DD, gather: a psychological evaluation with IQ and adaptive behavior scores (required for DODD eligibility); medical records confirming the developmental disability; an IEP or school testing records if the applicant is school-age; proof of Ohio residency; active Ohio Medicaid enrollment confirmation; and identity documents (birth certificate, state ID, Social Security card).
An Individual Service Plan (ISP) is required for all DODD waiver participants before services begin. The ISP is developed with the person, their family, and a support team — it defines goals, services, and providers. Participating actively in ISP development matters because it determines what the waiver funds. Record the dates of all ISP meetings and keep a copy of every signed version.
The PASSPORT Waiver is not a DODD program — it is administered through Ohio Department of Aging and Area Agencies on Aging. It serves adults 60+ or adults who qualify for a nursing-facility level of care (not limited to developmental disabilities). IO is a DODD waiver for people with developmental disabilities, administered through County Boards of DD. The two programs serve different populations and use different intake processes.
No — WaiverPath is an organizer for families, not an agency or representative. Free accounts open the Ohio checklist and remind you of key follow-up dates. Plus ($4.99/mo or $39/yr) adds a forms assistant for capturing your county board intake notes, document inventory, interest list log, and contact history in one place. Confirm eligibility, program tracks, and timelines with your County Board of DD or assigned agency.
Last reviewed by WaiverPath: September 3, 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.
