Medicaid waivers for autism in Missouri
Missourians with an intellectual or developmental disability causing serious impairment in two or more major life areas, with a lifelong need for coordinated specialized support.
- Main program
- Comprehensive, MOCDD, Community Support and Partnership for Hope Waivers
- Typical wait
- Varies by waiver and regional office
- Administered by
- Department of Mental Health, Division of Developmental Disabilities, through regional offices
- Age rules
- An intellectual disability must be present before age 18; a developmental disability such as autism before age 22.
How to get on the list
Contact your local DMH Division of Developmental Disabilities regional office and request an eligibility determination. Ask specifically which of the four waivers you are being considered for, and whether Partnership for Hope operates in your county.
Open the official Missouri page →Does autism qualify?
Autism is served through the general developmental disability waivers rather than an autism-specific one. The test is functional: serious impairment in two or more major life areas plus a lifelong need for support.
How the waiting list works
Missouri prioritizes access to funded services by regulation rather than running one statewide queue, and the four waivers differ in capacity and criteria. Because of that, which waiver you are assessed for matters as much as when you apply — ask your regional office to explain the options rather than accepting a single answer.
What it can pay for
- Personal assistant services
- Respite
- Day services and supported employment
- Behaviour analysis services
- Environmental accessibility adaptations
- Specialized medical equipment
Other programs worth knowing
Autism Waiver — expired June 2017
Missouri's autism-specific waiver ended on 30 June 2017. Older guidance still refers to it. Autistic Missourians are now served through the general developmental disability waivers.
Partnership for Hope
A county-partnership waiver jointly funded by participating county boards and the state. Availability depends on your county taking part, so ask whether yours does — it can be a faster route where it exists.
MOCDD (Sarah Jian Lopez Waiver)
Missouri Children with Developmental Disabilities waiver, aimed at children living at home. Worth asking about specifically if your child is young.
Missouriproviders & resources →
Local help you can access now, while you wait.
Waivers explained →
What to do while you're on the list, and what to ask.
Sources · last checked August 2026
- Missouri DMH — HCB waivers
- Missouri DMH — eligibility determination
- Missouri DMH — MOCDD waiver
- Missouri DMH — developmental disabilities FAQs
Waiting lists and eligibility rules change. Always confirm current details with the agency before making decisions. If something here is out of date, tell us.