State guide

Texas

Programs, dollars, and people that serve autism families in Texas. Federal protections always apply on top of what you see here.

Texas overview

Texas uses Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authorities (LIDDAs) as the intake point for the HCS (Home and Community-based Services) waiver — find your LIDDA at hhs.texas.gov. Texas HCS waitlists routinely run 10–13 years, among the longest in the country. Apply the day of diagnosis. Texas also offers the Texas Home Living (TxHmL) waiver with shorter waits for lighter supports. Partners Resource Network is Texas's PTI. The Arc of Texas, FEAT of Texas, and Texas Parent to Parent provide statewide advocacy and family navigation. Texas mandates ABA insurance coverage.

Verify program names, URLs, and eligibility on official .gov sites — these change.

⏰ Act now — Medicaid waiver waitlist

Home and Community-based Services (HCS) Waiver

Typical wait: 10–13 years

Texas's HCS waiver waitlist is among the longest in the US — apply through your LIDDA the day of diagnosis.

Contact your Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authority (LIDDA) to be placed on the interest list.

Apply or learn more →

Statewide resources

These four programs exist in every state and are the fastest entry points for most families.

Parent Training & Information (PTI)

Partners Resource Network

(409) 898-4684

Federally funded — free help with IEPs, evaluations, and special ed rights.

Medicaid / HCBS Waiver

Texas HCS Waiver (HHSC)

State waiver program for home and community-based services. Apply the day of diagnosis.

State Autism Organization

Autism Society of Texas

State-level autism advocacy, family support, and community connection.

Insurance Coverage

Whether private insurance must cover ABA therapy in Texas.

No state ABA insurance mandate

No statewide private insurance mandate for ABA. Texas Medicaid covers ABA for children under 21 through the STAR Kids and STAR Health programs. Many large employers in Texas are self-funded and not required to cover ABA.

Medicaid Waiver

Home and community-based services (HCBS) for autism families in Texas.

HCS (Home and Community-based Services) Waiver

Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)

Currently closed

Typical wait time

10+ years (one of the longest waitlists in the country)

Coverage highlights

  • ✓Respite
  • ✓Supported Living
  • ✗Therapy
  • ✓Employment Supports

Texas has one of the longest HCS waiver waitlists in the country — often exceeding 10 years. Apply immediately through HHSC; even children need to be on the list for many years before services are available. Texas also has the CLASS (Community Living Assistance and Support Services) waiver for children with disabilities — that waitlist is also years long but may be shorter in some areas.

How to apply

Apply online →877-438-5658

Medicaid Managed Care

How Medicaid pays for ABA therapy in Texas.

STAR and STAR Kids (Texas Medicaid)

Covers ABA through under 21

How to find your plan

Visit hhs.texas.gov/medicaid or call the Texas Medicaid helpline at 1-800-252-8263. Texas is divided into service areas — your plan options depend on your county of residence.

Major plans in this state

  • UnitedHealthcare Community Plan (Texas)
  • Superior Health Plan (Centene)
  • Molina Healthcare of Texas
  • Amerigroup Texas

Texas STAR is for children and families, while STAR Kids is specifically for children with complex needs including developmental disabilities. ABA therapy is covered under EPSDT for children under 21. Texas has some of the highest ABA caseloads in the country, so expect prior authorization requirements and potentially long waits for providers.

⚠️ Prior authorization is required before starting ABA services.

By county

254 counties