Home and Community Based Services | Department of Human Services | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Source: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/home-community-based-services-hcbs
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:21
Home and Community Based Services | Department of Human Services | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS)
Long Term Care (LTC) services include both Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) and LTC Facility Services. A person who has a medical need for LTC services may choose which program to participate in. If a person applies for medical assistance and payment of LTC services, they must also meet the
non-financial and financial medical assistance eligibility requirements.
Apply for LTC and HCBS by Phone
Starting June 16, 2025,
the Consumer Service Center will begin taking long-term care (LTC) and home and community-based services (HCBS) applications over the phone. Call 1-866-550-4355 to apply today.
Call to Apply for LTC & HCBS Services
Home and community-based services are also known as waiver-funded services or waiver programs.
The name waiver comes from the fact that the federal government "waives" medical assistance rules for institutional care in order for Pennsylvania to use the funds for HCBS. HCBS provides for supports and services beyond those covered by the Medical Assistance (also referred to as Medicaid) program that enables a person to remain in a community setting rather than being admitted to a Long Term Care Facility. Currently, the Department of Human Services administers 12 HCBS programs. Each HCBS program has its own eligibility requirements and services.
If a person is determined eligible for more than one HCBS program, the person cannot receive services under two or more such programs at the same time. The person must choose one HCBS program and receive the services provided by it.
A list of the available home and community-based programs and their associated eligibility requirements can be found below.
Long-Term Care Facilities Services
Long-term care (LTC) facilities, also known as nursing homes, provide both short- and long-term nursing and rehabilitation services for persons that require 24-hour care.
Find LTC Facilities in PA
Compare LTC Facilities Using Medicare
Waiver
Functional Eligibility Requirements
Services Provided
Community Living Waiver
No age limit for intellectual disability or autism.
Developmental disability with a high probability of resulting in an intellectual disability or autism are eligible from age 0 through 8
Require an ICF/ID or ICF/ORC level of care
Individual cost limit of $97,000 per person per fiscal year (Supports Coordination is excluded from this limit)
Employment Services (job finding and job coaching)
In-Home and Community Support
Companion
Community Participation Support
Respite
Shift Nursing
Therapies
Behavioral Support
Assistive Technology
Home and Vehicle Accessibility Adaptations
Transportation
Life Sharing
Supported Living
Community HealthChoices (CHC) Waiver
Age 21 or older with a physical disability
Meet nursing facility level of care criteria
Wish to receive long-term services and supports in own home or another community setting
Daily Living Services*Assistive Technology
Environmental Adaptations
Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy Services
Employment Services
Home Delivered Meals
Transportation Services
Personal Assistance Services
Pest Eradication
Respite
CHC offers many other services. The
CHC Long-Term Services and Supports Benefits Package
provides more information about the services offered in CHC.
Act 150 (State-Funded Program)
Age 18 through 59 (over age 59 conditional)
Meet the level of care needs for a Skilled Nursing Facility
Not financially eligible for Medicaid
Have a medically determinable physical impairment that is expected to last of a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) calendar months or that may result in death
Personal Assistance Services
Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)
Service Coordination
Adult Community Autism Program (ACAP)
21 years or older
Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (Autistic Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, PDD-NOS, Asperger Syndrome or Rett Disorder)
Require Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) level of care
Be able to live in a home or community setting without 16 hours or more per day of awake staffing and supervision
Not have behaviors that are dangerous to yourself or others or that could cause harm to property
Physician, ICF, psychiatric, nursing facility, hospice services
Dental, vision, speech, podiatry, chiropractic services
Medical supplies and equipment
Health promotion and disease prevention services
Targeted case management
Mental health crisis intervention services
Adult day habilitation services
Homemaker services
Residential & behavioral support
Respite care
Supported employment
Community transition services
Environmental modifications
Assistive technology
Family counseling
Adult Autism Waiver (AAW)
Age 21 or older
Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (Autistic Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, PDD-NOS, Asperger Syndrome or Rett Disorder)
Meet Intermediate Care Facility level of care
Assistive technology
Behavioral health services
Community inclusion
Community Transition Services
Counseling
Day & residential habilitation
Environmental modifications
Family counseling & training
Job assessment and finding
Nutritional consultation
Occupational therapy
Respite
Speech/ language therapy
Supported employment
Supports coordination
Temporary crisis services
Transitional work services
Infants, Toddlers and Families Waiver
Between birth and age 3
In need of early intervention services
Meet Intermediate Care Facility for Persons with Mental Retardation (ICF/MR) or Intermediate Care Facility for Persons with Other Related Conditions (ICF/ORC) level of care
Habilitation, which is a service provided in-home and community settings to assist a child in acquiring, maintaining and improving self-help, domestic, socialization, and adaptive skills
Person/Family-Directed Support (P/FDS) Waiver
No age limit for intellectual disability or autism.
Developmental disability with a high probability of resulting in an intellectual disability or autism are eligible from age 0 through 8
Require an ICF/ID or ICF/ORC level of care
Individual cost limit of $47,000 per person per fiscal year (Supports Coordination and Supports Broker are excluded from this limit. There are also some exceptions for employment service.)
Employment Services (job finding and job coaching)
In-Home and Community Support
Companion
Community Participation Support
Respite
Shift Nursing
Therapies
Behavioral Support
Assistive Technology
Home and Vehicle Accessibility Adaptations
Transportation
Consolidated Waiver
No age limit for intellectual disability or autism.
Developmental disability with a high probability of resulting in an intellectual disability or autism are eligible from age 0 through 8
Require an ICF/ID or ICF/ORC level of care
No individual cost limit per year on services
Residential Habilitation
Employment Services (job finding and job coaching)
In-Home and Community Support
Companion
Community Participation Support
Respite
Shift Nursing
Therapies
Behavioral Support
Assistive Technology
Home and Vehicle Accessibility Adaptations
Transportation
Life Sharing
Supported Living
OBRA Waiver
Persons with developmental physical disabilities
Disability results in at least 3 substantial functional limitations
Disability manifested prior to age 22
Age 18 or older
Disability is expected to continue indefinitely
Requires ICF/ORC level of care
Daily living services
Environmental adaptations
Assistive technology
Community integration services
Respite services
Transportation
Supported employment services
Prevocational and educational services
LIFE (Living Independence for the Elderly Program also known as LTCCAP)
Age 55 older
Meet eligibility requirements for nursing facility level of care
Able to safely live in the community with services available through the provider
Reside in locations where services are available
Adult day health services
Transportation/ escort services
Primary medical specialist care
Nursing care/skilled nursing
Dental, vision, podiatry, audiology care
Social services/ case management
Physical, occupational, speech therapies
Recreational therapy
Nutritional counseling/ education
Laboratory/ diagnostic test, x-rays
Pharmaceuticals
Prosthetics, orthotics, durable medical equipment and supplies
Psychiatric services
Personal care
Homemaker chore services
Home delivered meals
Hospital care/ hospice services
Nursing facility services
Services for hearing/speech impairments
Translation services
Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS)
Long Term Care (LTC) services include both Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) and LTC Facility Services. A person who has a medical need for LTC services may choose which program to participate in. If a person applies for medical assistance and payment of LTC services, they must also meet the
non-financial and financial medical assistance eligibility requirements.
Apply for LTC and HCBS by Phone
Starting June 16, 2025,
the Consumer Service Center will begin taking long-term care (LTC) and home and community-based services (HCBS) applications over the phone. Call 1-866-550-4355 to apply today.
Call to Apply for LTC & HCBS Services
Home and community-based services are also known as waiver-funded services or waiver programs.
The name waiver comes from the fact that the federal government "waives" medical assistance rules for institutional care in order for Pennsylvania to use the funds for HCBS. HCBS provides for supports and services beyond those covered by the Medical Assistance (also referred to as Medicaid) program that enables a person to remain in a community setting rather than being admitted to a Long Term Care Facility. Currently, the Department of Human Services administers 12 HCBS programs. Each HCBS program has its own eligibility requirements and services.
If a person is determined eligible for more than one HCBS program, the person cannot receive services under two or more such programs at the same time. The person must choose one HCBS program and receive the services provided by it.
A list of the available home and community-based programs and their associated eligibility requirements can be found below.
Long-Term Care Facilities Services
Long-term care (LTC) facilities, also known as nursing homes, provide both short- and long-term nursing and rehabilitation services for persons that require 24-hour care.
Find LTC Facilities in PA
Compare LTC Facilities Using Medicare
Waiver
Functional Eligibility Requirements
Services Provided
Community Living Waiver
No age limit for intellectual disability or autism.
Developmental disability with a high probability of resulting in an intellectual disability or autism are eligible from age 0 through 8
Require an ICF/ID or ICF/ORC level of care
Individual cost limit of $97,000 per person per fiscal year (Supports Coordination is excluded from this limit)
Employment Services (job finding and job coaching)
In-Home and Community Support
Companion
Community Participation Support
Respite
Shift Nursing
Therapies
Behavioral Support
Assistive Technology
Home and Vehicle Accessibility Adaptations
Transportation
Life Sharing
Supported Living
Community HealthChoices (CHC) Waiver
Age 21 or older with a physical disability
Meet nursing facility level of care criteria
Wish to receive long-term services and supports in own home or another community setting
Daily Living Services*Assistive Technology
Environmental Adaptations
Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy Services
Employment Services
Home Delivered Meals
Transportation Services
Personal Assistance Services
Pest Eradication
Respite
CHC offers many other services. The
CHC Long-Term Services and Supports Benefits Package
provides more information about the services offered in CHC.
Act 150 (State-Funded Program)
Age 18 through 59 (over age 59 conditional)
Meet the level of care needs for a Skilled Nursing Facility
Not financially eligible for Medicaid
Have a medically determinable physical impairment that is expected to last of a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) calendar months or that may result in death
Personal Assistance Services
Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)
Service Coordination
Adult Community Autism Program (ACAP)
21 years or older
Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (Autistic Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, PDD-NOS, Asperger Syndrome or Rett Disorder)
Require Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) level of care
Be able to live in a home or community setting without 16 hours or more per day of awake staffing and supervision
Not have behaviors that are dangerous to yourself or others or that could cause harm to property
Physician, ICF, psychiatric, nursing facility, hospice services
Dental, vision, speech, podiatry, chiropractic services
Medical supplies and equipment
Health promotion and disease prevention services
Targeted case management
Mental health crisis intervention services
Adult day habilitation services
Homemaker services
Residential & behavioral support
Respite care
Supported employment
Community transition services
Environmental modifications
Assistive technology
Family counseling
Adult Autism Waiver (AAW)
Age 21 or older
Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (Autistic Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, PDD-NOS, Asperger Syndrome or Rett Disorder)
Meet Intermediate Care Facility level of care
Assistive technology
Behavioral health services
Community inclusion
Community Transition Services
Counseling
Day & residential habilitation
Environmental modifications
Family counseling & training
Job assessment and finding
Nutritional consultation
Occupational therapy
Respite
Speech/ language therapy
Supported employment
Supports coordination
Temporary crisis services
Transitional work services
Infants, Toddlers and Families Waiver
Between birth and age 3
In need of early intervention services
Meet Intermediate Care Facility for Persons with Mental Retardation (ICF/MR) or Intermediate Care Facility for Persons with Other Related Conditions (ICF/ORC) level of care
Habilitation, which is a service provided in-home and community settings to assist a child in acquiring, maintaining and improving self-help, domestic, socialization, and adaptive skills
Person/Family-Directed Support (P/FDS) Waiver
No age limit for intellectual disability or autism.
Developmental disability with a high probability of resulting in an intellectual disability or autism are eligible from age 0 through 8
Require an ICF/ID or ICF/ORC level of care
Individual cost limit of $47,000 per person per fiscal year (Supports Coordination and Supports Broker are excluded from this limit. There are also some exceptions for employment service.)
Employment Services (job finding and job coaching)
In-Home and Community Support
Companion
Community Participation Support
Respite
Shift Nursing
Therapies
Behavioral Support
Assistive Technology
Home and Vehicle Accessibility Adaptations
Transportation
Consolidated Waiver
No age limit for intellectual disability or autism.
Developmental disability with a high probability of resulting in an intellectual disability or autism are eligible from age 0 through 8
Require an ICF/ID or ICF/ORC level of care
No individual cost limit per year on services
Residential Habilitation
Employment Services (job finding and job coaching)
In-Home and Community Support
Companion
Community Participation Support
Respite
Shift Nursing
Therapies
Behavioral Support
Assistive Technology
Home and Vehicle Accessibility Adaptations
Transportation
Life Sharing
Supported Living
OBRA Waiver
Persons with developmental physical disabilities
Disability results in at least 3 substantial functional limitations
Disability manifested prior to age 22
Age 18 or older
Disability is expected to continue indefinitely
Requires ICF/ORC level of care
Daily living services
Environmental adaptations
Assistive technology
Community integration services
Respite services
Transportation
Supported employment services
Prevocational and educational services
LIFE (Living Independence for the Elderly Program also known as LTCCAP)
Age 55 older
Meet eligibility requirements for nursing facility level of care
Able to safely live in the community with services available through the provider
Reside in locations where services are available
Adult day health services
Transportation/ escort services
Primary medical specialist care
Nursing care/skilled nursing
Dental, vision, podiatry, audiology care
Social services/ case management
Physical, occupational, speech therapies
Recreational therapy
Nutritional counseling/ education
Laboratory/ diagnostic test, x-rays
Pharmaceuticals
Prosthetics, orthotics, durable medical equipment and supplies
Psychiatric services
Personal care
Homemaker chore services
Home delivered meals
Hospital care/ hospice services
Nursing facility services
Services for hearing/speech impairments
Translation services