FLORIDA’S HOME AND COMMUNITY CARE FOR DISABLED ADULTS

Florida’s Home and Community Care for Disabled Adults

William Lindahl, MBA, CLPF & Sara Toor, M.A

​The program that supports case management and in-home services through community based services is the Adult Protective Services Program. Specific guidelines are set to follow federal regulations for in-home care for adults with disabilities in family type living situations as another option other than institutional or nursing home care.

To be eligible and qualify for such services an individual must be an adult with disabilities, be of age 18 through 59 years of age with permanent physical or cognitive limitations that result in the restriction of the ability to perform activities of daily living on his/her own.Home Care
Under this program case management services are provided. In addition to small limited financial assistance to approved caregivers who provide in-home care to individuals with disabilities who are age 18 through 59 years of age. The subsidy provided is given for the intended use to assist with the counterbalance of cost pertaining to housing, food, clothing, as well as costs for medical, medications, and dental procedures that are not otherwise covered by Medicaid, Medicare, or other types of insurance.

Additional assistance can be provided if funds are available to assist with specific equipment, supplies, or any other services that is required to benefit the health and well-being of an individual.

Community Care
The program responsible for community care services is known as Community Care for Disabled Adults, or also known as CCDA. This program assists individuals with disabilities who are 18 years of age through 59 years of age who are unable to perform activities of daily living on his/her own without assistance. The Community Care for Disabled Adults Program assists individuals live independently in the comfort of their own home.

Some of the services that this program provides are (this is not an exhaustive list):

  • adult day care
  • case management
  • chore assistance
  • personal care
  • domestic services
  • transportation

What is the Aged and Disabled Adult Medicaid Waiver?
This waiver is for those individuals with permanent disabilities of the ages 18 through 59 who are at risk of being in long term care facilities. With this waiver individuals can be cared for in the comfort of their own home and being with their loved ones.

To be eligible for the waiver individuals must meet financial eligibility guidelines for Medicaid and must meet the level of care for placement into a nursing home. The Aged and Disabled Adult Medicaid Waiver Program provides the same services as the Community Care for Disabled Adults Program (noted above). The Medicaid waiver program is administered by each department district.

Do I Qualify?
To be certain that you or your loved one qualifies for the above programs, the best course of action is to contact your local district Medicaid office in your area at https://www.dcf.state.fl.us/programs/access/map.shtml. In addition, for further information or you have specific questions, please direct them to a Special Needs Planning Attorney in your area or the local district Medicaid office in your area. To find a Special Needs Planning Attorney, visit http://specialneedsanswers.com/.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided by CPT is for informational purposes only and is intended to be used as a non-legal guide prior to consultation with an attorney familiar with your specific legal situation. CPT is not engaged in the practice of law or in rendering legal advice or counsel. No such legal advice or counseling is either expressly or impliedly intended. This form is not a substitute for the advice or counsel of an attorney. If you require legal advice, you should seek the services of an attorney. © 2017 CPT All rights reserved.

Resources/Further Reading:
https://www.dcf.state.fl.us/programs/access/map.shtml
http://leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0400-0499/0429/Sections/0429.65.html
https://www.flrules.org/gateway/chapterhome.asp?chapter=65C-1