AK Adults with Physical and Developmental Disabilities Waiver

The Adults with Physical and Developmental Disabilities Waiver in Alaska is a Medicaid program that offers home and community-based services to people with physical and developmental disabilities and their family caregivers.

Overview of the Adults with Physical and Developmental Disabilities Waiver

The Adults with Physical and Developmental Disabilities (APDD) Waiver was created in 2019 by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services to serve individuals who are 21 or older who have autism, an intellectual disability, or a developmental disability that causes physical impairments. The APDD Waiver enables individuals who cannot live independently to continue living in their home or an assisted living facility rather than a nursing home facility. The APDD Waiver is currently available in all counties in Alaska.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for the APDD Waiver, an individual must meet the following criteria1:

• Have a diagnosis of intellectual disability or a related condition.
• Meet the level of care criteria for an intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ICF/IID).
• Be a resident of Alaska and a U.S. citizen or qualified alien.
• Have income and resources below the Medicaid limits.
• Choose to receive HCBS as an alternative to institutional care.
• Have an individualized service plan that can be met within the APDD Waiver service limits.

Services and supports

The APDD Waiver offers various services and supports to help individuals with physical and developmental disabilities live independently in their homes and communities. Some of the services and supports include:

• Case management
• Personal care
• Respite care
• Supported employment
• Supported living
• Day habilitation
• Behavioral support
• Environmental accessibility adaptations
• Specialized medical equipment and supplies
• Transportation

The APDD Waiver also allows individuals to self-direct some of their services, allowing them to choose their providers and manage their budgets. Self-direction gives individuals more control and flexibility over their services and supports.

Compensation for caregivers

One of the benefits of self-direction is that individuals can hire their family members as paid caregivers. This means that if you are a family caregiver who provides unpaid care to a loved one with a physical or developmental disability, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your caregiving work under the APDD Waiver. To do so, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Pass a criminal background check
• Complete the required training
• Not be the spouse or legal guardian of the individual receiving services
• Not be paid by another source for providing the same service

If you meet these requirements, you can apply to become a paid caregiver under the APDD Waiver by contacting your loved one’s case manager. The case manager will help you complete the necessary paperwork and enroll you as a provider. You will then be able to receive payment for providing personal care, respite care, supported employment, or supported living services to your loved one.

Learn more about Medicaid self-directed care >>

A note from Givers

If you are interested in finding out if you or your loved one are eligible for this program, please fill out this form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.