Disability services in Kansas

Children ages 0 to 5 with autism who need hospital level of care.

Start with: KDADS Autism Waiver Program Manager · (785) 296-8131 · Website (opens in a new tab)

Eligible children go on the Proposed Recipient List and get a letter with their number on the list. KDADS calls the family when a spot opens. Kansas reported 906 children waiting in the 2026 KFF survey.

Apply for Medicaid first.

Steps

1. Download the Autism Waiver application from the KDADS Autism page.
2. Mail or email it to KDADS with the papers it asks for.
3. If your child meets the rules, you get a letter with your number on the Proposed Recipient List.
4. When a spot opens, KDADS contacts you and sets up a functional assessment.
5. Apply for KanCare if your child does not have it, then make a service plan with your care coordinator.

Have these ready

• Medical records
• KanCare number or application
• List of daily care needs

Your local Aging and Disability Resource Center can start the application. Find yours.

About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

People 5 and older with an intellectual disability that began before age 18 or a developmental disability that began before age 22, who meet the institutional level of care, qualify for KanCare, and need at least one waiver service each month.

Start with: Your Community Developmental Disability Organization (CDDO) · Website (opens in a new tab)

KDADS says the Community Support Waiver will not have a waiting list. If all spots are full, KDADS holds applications until a spot opens. People on the I/DD waitlist are processed first, and must give up their I/DD waitlist spot to enroll.

Apply for Medicaid first.

Steps

1. Call the CDDO for your county.
2. Complete the functional eligibility assessment.
3. Apply for KanCare if you do not have it.
4. Ask whether the Community Support Waiver is a good fit for you.
5. Know that joining this waiver removes you from the I/DD Waiver waiting list.

Have these ready

• Proof of the disability
• Social Security number
• KanCare number if you have one

About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

People 5 and older with an intellectual disability that began before age 18 or a developmental disability that began before age 22, who meet the institutional level of care and qualify for KanCare.

Start with: Your Community Developmental Disability Organization (CDDO) · Website (opens in a new tab)

Kansas keeps a waiting list for the I/DD Waiver; people who have waited longest are offered services first.

Apply for Medicaid first.

Steps

1. Call the CDDO for your county.
2. Ask for an eligibility determination for I/DD services.
3. Complete the functional assessment with the CDDO.
4. Apply for KanCare if you do not have it.
5. Ask to be placed on the I/DD Waiver waiting list, and choose a KanCare health plan when you get services.

Have these ready

• Proof of the disability (psychological or medical records)
• School records
• Social Security number
• KanCare number if you have one

About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

People with a brain injury who need institutional level of care and qualify for KanCare.

Start with: Your Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) · (855) 200-2372 · Website (opens in a new tab)

Kansas reported no waiting list for the brain injury waiver in the 2026 KFF survey.

Apply for Medicaid first.

Steps

1. Call the ADRC at 1-855-200-ADRC (2372) and ask about the waiver.
2. Apply for KanCare if you do not have it.
3. Complete the level of care assessment.
4. If approved, choose a KanCare health plan and make a service plan with your care coordinator.

Have these ready

• Medical records
• KanCare number or application
• List of daily care needs

Your local Aging and Disability Resource Center can start the application. Find yours.

About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

Children and young adults ages 0 to 21 who are medically fragile or technology dependent and need hospital level of care.

Start with: Family Waiver Care (TA Waiver assessments) · (785) 296-9551 · Website (opens in a new tab)

Kansas reported no waiting list for medically fragile and technology dependent children in the 2026 KFF survey.

Apply for Medicaid first.

Steps

1. Call Family Waiver Care at 785-296-9551 or email [email protected].
2. A MATLOC assessor checks how much your child depends on medical technology.
3. Apply for KanCare if your child does not have it.
4. If approved, choose a KanCare health plan and make a service plan with your care coordinator.

Have these ready

• Medical records
• KanCare number or application
• List of daily care needs

Your local Aging and Disability Resource Center can start the application. Find yours.

About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

Adults 65 and older who need nursing facility level of care and qualify for KanCare.

Start with: Your Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) · (855) 200-2372 · Website (opens in a new tab)

Kansas started a waiting list for the Frail Elderly Waiver on July 6, 2026. People found eligible before that date were not affected. People in crisis can ask for a crisis exception.

Apply for Medicaid first.

Steps

1. Call the ADRC at 1-855-200-ADRC (2372) and ask about the waiver.
2. Apply for KanCare if you do not have it.
3. Complete the level of care assessment.
4. If approved, choose a KanCare health plan and make a service plan with your care coordinator.

Have these ready

• Medical records
• KanCare number or application
• List of daily care needs

Your local Aging and Disability Resource Center can start the application. Find yours.

About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

Adults ages 16 to 64 with a physical disability who need nursing facility level of care and qualify for KanCare.

Start with: Your Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) · (855) 200-2372 · Website (opens in a new tab)

Kansas keeps a waiting list for the Physical Disability Waiver. In the 2026 KFF survey Kansas reported 742 older adults and adults with physical disabilities waiting. Ask your ADRC about your place on the list.

Apply for Medicaid first.

Steps

1. Call the ADRC at 1-855-200-ADRC (2372) and ask about the waiver.
2. Apply for KanCare if you do not have it.
3. Complete the level of care assessment.
4. If approved, choose a KanCare health plan and make a service plan with your care coordinator.

Have these ready

• Medical records
• KanCare number or application
• List of daily care needs

Your local Aging and Disability Resource Center can start the application. Find yours.

About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

Children and youth ages 4 to 18 with a diagnosed mental health condition that seriously disrupts daily life, who are at risk of inpatient psychiatric care, meet the CAFAS and CBCL thresholds, and qualify for Medicaid.

Start with: Your local Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) · Website (opens in a new tab)

Kansas reported no waiting list for the mental health (SED) waiver in the 2026 KFF survey.

Medicaid eligibility is decided as part of the waiver.

Steps

1. Call your local Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) and ask to apply for the SED Waiver.
2. Complete the CAFAS and CBCL assessments with the CMHC.
3. If your child qualifies, make an interim plan of care with the CMHC within 14 days.
4. Apply for KanCare with the CMHC's help if your child does not have it.
5. Choose a KanCare health plan.

Have these ready

• Child's mental health records
• KanCare number or application

About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas