This checklist helps Pennsylvania families organize the Consolidated, Community Living, Adult Autism, or Community HealthChoices waiver application — from confirming Medical Assistance enrollment through contacting your county ID/A office and tracking the ODP Interest List. It is an organizer, not an eligibility decision.
Step 1
Identify your Pennsylvania waiver track
Pennsylvania splits HCBS waivers by population and administering office. If the applicant has an intellectual disability (ID) or autism with co-occurring ID, the entry point is your county's Intellectual Disabilities/Autism (ID/A) office, which routes to ODP waivers — primarily the Consolidated Waiver (higher support needs) or Community Living Waiver. Adults 21+ with autism spectrum disorder but no ID diagnosis apply separately through the Adult Autism Waiver. Adults with physical disabilities or adults 55+ who need nursing-facility level of care apply for Community HealthChoices (CHC) through OLTL. Identifying the correct office first prevents delays at intake.
Official source ↗Step 2
Contact your county Intellectual Disabilities/Autism (ID/A) office for ODP waivers
For Consolidated Waiver, Community Living Waiver, and Adult Autism Waiver, the starting point is your county's ID/A office — ODP does not accept direct family applications. The county ID/A office completes an eligibility determination and, if eligible, places the individual on the ODP Interest List. Find your county's ID/A office through the DHS county contacts directory or by calling the DHS helpline at 1-800-692-7462. Record the date and name of your first contact.
Official source ↗Step 3
Understand the ODP Interest List — date matters
Pennsylvania ODP maintains a statewide Interest List for Consolidated and Community Living Waiver slots. Placement priority is based on the date registered, urgency tier (Crisis, Emergency, Urgent, Planning), and available funding. Historically, over 15,000 individuals have been on the ODP Interest List at a time. Waiver slots are not guaranteed, and wait times can span several years for non-crisis applicants. Request written confirmation of your Interest List date and urgency tier from your county ID/A office and keep it.
Official source ↗Step 4
Apply for Pennsylvania Medicaid (Medical Assistance)
All Pennsylvania HCBS waivers require active Pennsylvania Medicaid (called Medical Assistance in PA). Apply online at COMPASS (compass.state.pa.us), in person at your county Assistance Office, or by calling 1-800-692-7462. Keep your Medical Assistance ID and any approval notice — both are required throughout the waiver process. If the applicant is not yet enrolled in Medicaid, begin the application concurrent with your county ID/A outreach.
Official source ↗Step 5
For physical disabilities or adults 55+: apply for CHC through OLTL
Community HealthChoices (CHC) replaced older OLTL waivers (OBRA, Independence, Aging, COMMCARE) and now serves adults 21+ with physical disabilities who need nursing-facility level of care, plus adults 55+ through managed care organizations (MCOs). Enrollment starts through the CHC enrollment process — contact your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) or your county Assistance Office for a CHC referral. An independent enrollment broker performs an assessment before MCO assignment.
Official source ↗Step 6
Assemble eligibility documents before your county ID/A meeting
Gather records that confirm the qualifying condition before your first county ID/A intake appointment. For Consolidated or Community Living waivers: a current psychological evaluation with IQ and adaptive behavior scores confirming intellectual disability; medical or specialist records supporting the diagnosis; any school or IEP records; proof of Pennsylvania residency; Medical Assistance ID or enrollment confirmation; and identity documents (birth certificate, state ID, Social Security card). For the Adult Autism Waiver: a current autism spectrum disorder diagnosis from a licensed professional (no co-occurring IDD required). Having records ready prevents delays at eligibility determination.
Official source ↗Step 7
Understand Support Coordination — assigned at enrollment
Pennsylvania ODP waiver participants are assigned a Support Coordinator through a Support Coordination Organization (SCO). The Support Coordinator is your point of contact for service planning, Individual Support Plan (ISP) development, and provider coordination after a waiver slot is offered. You do not choose services independently — the ISP process determines what the waiver covers. Understand the ISP process before your first planning meeting; record dates and participants at every ISP meeting.
Official source ↗Step 8
Log every call, meeting, and document exchange
Keep a single running log of every contact with your county ID/A office, DHS, OLTL, SCO, MCO, or providers: date, person, what was discussed, what was submitted, and next steps. Pennsylvania waiver processes involve multiple agencies, offices, and handoffs — your log is the only complete record you own. A missed update or unreturned form can cost months or years of priority status.
Official source ↗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.
