Many people with disabilities prefer living in their homes and communities rather than nursing facilities or institutions. However, they may need assistance with daily activities like personal care, mobility, or household chores. In Mississippi, a Medicaid program can help them achieve their goals of independent living and self-determination. The Independent Living Waiver provides services and support to eligible individuals with severe orthopedic or neurological impairments.
The Independent Living Waiver provides services to recipients requiring a nursing facility level of care. This waiver is jointly administered by the Division of Medicaid and the Department of Rehabilitation Services.
The purpose of the waiver is to empower people with disabilities to live as independently as possible in their own homes or other settings of their choice, with the assistance of personal care attendants and other supports. The waiver also aims to prevent or delay institutionalization, promote self-direction and consumer choice, and enhance participants' quality of life.
The target population of the waiver is individuals aged 16 years or older with severe orthopedic and/or neurological impairments. These impairments may include spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, stroke, arthritis, or Alzheimer's disease.
To be eligible for the Independent Living Waiver, an individual must meet the following criteria:
The Independent Living Waiver offers various services and supports to help participants live independently and comfortably in their homes or communities. These services include:
One of the benefits of the Independent Living Waiver is that it allows participants to choose and pay their personal care attendants, including family members. This means that family caregivers who care for their loved ones can receive compensation through the waiver program.
The Independent Living Waiver offers a self-direction option that gives participants more control and flexibility over their personal care services. Participants can decide who they want to hire as their personal care attendants, how much they want to pay them, what tasks they want them to perform, and when and how they want them to provide the services. Participants can also fire or replace their personal care attendants if unsatisfied with their performance.
The self-direction option is voluntary and not mandatory. Participants who choose this option must be able to manage their services or have a representative who can do it for them. Participants who choose this option must also enroll in the Personal Choices program, a cash-benefit program that allows participants to receive a monthly allowance to pay for their personal care services.
The amount of the monthly allowance depends on the participant's level of need, as determined by an assessment. The average monthly budget for participants in the Independent Living Waiver is $1,500. Participants can use this allowance to pay their personal care attendants, including family members if they meet the minimum qualifications and pass a background check. Participants can also use this allowance to pay for other goods or services related to their personal care needs, such as transportation, laundry, or meals.
The Personal Choices program provides participants with a fiscal intermediary, an agency that handles the financial aspects of the self-direction option. The fiscal intermediary is responsible for processing the payroll, withholding taxes, issuing W-2 forms, and providing insurance and workers' compensation for the personal care attendants. The fiscal intermediary also provides participants with a budget counselor, who helps them manage their monthly allowance and keep track of their expenses.
If you are interested in applying for this program or finding out if you are eligible, please fill out this form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. We are here to help you get the support and resources you need to care for your loved ones and yourself.
