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Waiver #1: TEFRA Children Waiver
Who can apply?
Circumstances/Diagnosis: Any child under 19 who is diagnosed with either an intellectual and/or developmental disability (this includes autism). The state requires that individuals need at least an intermediate care facility level of care to qualify. This has a technical definition but essentially just means that the individual is unable to get through their day without a lot of supervision.
Income: Income eligibility is only based on the child’s income and not the parents income. This means that your child is financially eligible for the waiver if they don’t have an income.
What do I get?
The way TEFRA waivers work is that they allow families with higher incomes to receive medicaid benefits for their child because eligibility is based on the child income. This means that you will be able to receive dental care, emergency and non-emergency transportation, inpatient and outpatient treatment, medical equipment, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physical therapy, vision.\
Waiver #2: In-Home Supports Waiver for Children and the Community Waiver
Who can apply?
Both these waivers have the same eligibility requirements apart from two criteria: you are only eligible for the Community Waiver if the In-Home Supports Waiver doesn’t provide enough support for the applicant. Additionally, the In-Home Supports Waiver doesn’t service individuals older than 17.
Circumstances/Diagnosis: Any child older than 3 who is diagnosed with either an intellectual and/or developmental disability (this includes autism). The state requires that individuals need at least an intermediate care facility level of care to qualify. This has a technical definition but essentially just means that the individual is unable to get through their day without a lot of supervision.
Income: Income eligibility is only based on the child’s income and not the parents income. This means that your child is financially eligible for the waiver if they don’t have an income.
What do I get?
In Home Supports benefits:
| Respite | Family Training |
| Habilitation Training Specialists | Adaptive Equipment |
| Architectural Modifications | Specialized Medical Supplies |
| Adult Day Services | Intensive Personal Supports |
| Agency Companion | Nutrition |
| Architectural Modification | Occupational Therapy |
| Assistive Technology | Physical Therapy |
| Audiology | Physician Services (provided by a psychiatrist) |
| Community Transition Services | Prescribed Drugs |
| Daily Living Supports | Prevocational |
| Dental | Psychological |
| Family Counseling | Respite Care |
| Family Training | Specialized Foster Care |
| Group Home | Specialized Medical Supplies |
| Habilitation Training Specialist | Speech Therapy |
| Home Health Care | Supported Employment |
| Homemaker | Transportation |
Call your local Oklahoma Human Services Office and set up an appointment and apply for any of these three waivers.
What does the Goally Team Think?
You can get the TEFRA waiver immediately, but it takes about 8 years to get services from Oklahoma’s other waiver programs. This wait is totally unacceptable and needs to be shortened. While you wait to get all the services the waiver can provide, ask your Oklahoma Human Services Office about the Family Support Assistance Payment that can get you $250-$400 a month in cash if you have a child under 18 with a disability.
Goally Waiver Scorecard
Website clarity and ease of navigation: 1/5
Access and requirements of qualification: 0/5
Healthcare coverage: 3/5
Other online resources for Oklahoma:
Oklahoma Autism Network has great information on Oklahoma’s resources and programs that connect and train parents.
This list of Oklahoma Disabilities Organizations and Agencies may just help you find the school, funding, or program your child needs.
Charitable Grants for families living with autism.
Telephone Resources
Oklahoma Health Care Authority -- 405-522-7752