Texas Department of Aging and Disabilities (“DADS”) was the agency that, for many years, parents with children with disabilities reached out to for government assistance of support and services. Texas programs were administered by DADS until its abolition on September 1, 2017.
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (“HHS”) is now charged with protecting vulnerable Texans. HHS administers programs formally serviced by DADS, including:
Community Living Assistance and Support Services (“CLASS“)
Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities (“DBMD“)
Home and Community-based Services (“HCS“)
Medically Dependent Children’s Program (“MDCP“)
A common complaint I hear from parents who are in search of help from the government is that their family fails to qualify for support due to household income. Although income is not necessarily a factor for eligibility for benefits from these Medicaid Waiver programs, waiting on an interest list for can take years.
As of July 31, 2017, tens of thousand of Texans are on interest lists. HCS has 86,989 people on its interest list, CLASS has 61,926 people on its interest list, and MDPC has 18,867 people on its interest lists. Parents should contact HHS and their local benefits provider, such as the Harris Center, to begin the application process.
https://hhs.texas.gov/about-hhs/records-statistics/interest-list-reduction