Explainer

IN Family Supports Waiver

Published on
August 17, 2023
Last updated
February 29, 2024
Written by
Katie headshot
Katie Wilkinson
Reviewed by
Header image
The Family Supports Waiver (FSW) is a Medicaid program in Indiana that provides limited, non-residential support to eligible individuals who live with their families or in other settings with informal support.
Available in:
Presented by Givers
Givers supports and pays people who are caring for their loved ones.
See If You're Eligible

The Family Supports Waiver (FSW) is a Medicaid program in Indiana that provides limited, non-residential support to eligible individuals who live with their families or in other settings with informal support. This article explores the FSW, who can qualify for it, what services and supports it offers, and how it can compensate family caregivers.

Overview of Family Supports Waiver

The FSW is one of the two home- and community-based services (HCBS) waivers administered by the Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS) in Indiana. The FSW aims to provide person-centered and individualized supports that assist children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live successfully in their homes and communities. The FSW has a maximum budget of $17,300 per person per year.

The target population of the FSW is individuals diagnosed with an intellectual disability, developmental disability, or related condition with an onset before the age of 22 years, and the condition is expected to continue indefinitely. Additionally, individuals must meet the Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities/Developmental Disabilities (ICF/IID) level of care, which means that they have substantial functional limitations in at least three of six major life areas: self-care, self-direction, learning, capacity for living independently, understanding, and use of language, and mobility.

FIND SUPPORT NOW

Can you get paid to care for your loved one?

woman smiling

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for the FSW, individuals must meet the following requirements:

  • Be diagnosed as having an intellectual disability, developmental disability, or related condition before the age of 22
  • Reside in or be transitioning into an HCBS-compliant setting (non-institutionalized)
  • Have income no higher than 300% of the maximum Supplemental Security Income amount (parental income for children under 18 years of age is disregarded)
  • Meet ICF/IID level of care.

Services and supports

Eligible individuals may receive official waiver services in conjunction with Traditional Medicaid. Official waiver services may include:

  • Adult Day Services
  • Behavioral Support Services
  • Case Management
  • Community-Based Habilitation- Group
  • Community-Based Habilitation- Individual
  • Extended Services
  • Facility-Based Habilitation-Group
  • Facility-Based Habilitation-Individual
  • Facility-Based Support Services
  • Family & Caregiver Training
  • Intensive Behavioral Support
  • Music Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Participant Assistance and Care
  • Personal Emergency Response System
  • Physical Therapy
  • Prevocational Services
  • Psychological Therapy
  • Recreational Therapy
  • Respite
  • Specialized Medical Equipment & Supplies
  • Speech/ Language Therapy
  • Transportation Services
  • Workplace Assistance

The care recipient's case manager identifies the specific services that meet the individual's needs which are then submitted by the state agency for approval and are outlined on the participant's Plan of Care (POC)/Notice of Action (NOA).

FIND SUPPORT NOW

Who are you caring for?

Compensation for caregivers

One of the benefits of the FSW is that it allows individuals to self-direct some of their services, which means that they can choose who provides their care and how it is delivered. This also means they can hire and pay their family members as caregivers for certain services, such as Participant Assistance and Care, Respite, or Community-Based Habilitation. Family caregivers paid through the FSW must meet the same qualifications and training requirements as other providers. They must also follow the rules and regulations of the Medicaid program and report their income for tax purposes.

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 and how much you can get paid as a caregiver, please fill out this form, and we will contact you soon.

Other programs in your state

Find out how to get paid other states

Givers supports and pays people caring for their loved ones.
See if you qualify in 60 seconds.
Check Your Eligibility
Share this post
get paid

Apply Now

mother daughter