Medicaid waivers for autism in Nebraska
Nebraskans with intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities or autism. The children's program covers ages 0–21.
- Main program
- Autism Waiver, Comprehensive and Developmental Disabilities Adult Day waivers
- Typical wait
- No waitlist — the registry was eliminated in June 2025
- Administered by
- Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities
- Phone
- (800) 358-8802
- Age rules
- Children's services cover ages 0–21; adult programs continue beyond.
How to get on the list
Call (800) 358-8802 to start. Apply for Medicaid through your local DHHS office or online at iServeNebraska first, since Medicaid is a precondition. Then ask which of the waivers — including the Autism Waiver — you are being considered for.
Open the official Nebraska page →Does autism qualify?
Nebraska is one of a small number of states still running a dedicated Autism Waiver, so autism is not merely tolerated as a qualifying developmental disability here — it has its own program. Ask about it by name.
How the waiting list works
Nebraska eliminated its developmental disabilities registry outright in June 2025 — announced by the Governor's office, not merely trimmed or reduced. There is no queue. That makes the usual advice actively wrong here: do not rush an application in order to bank a place, because there is no place to bank and no seniority to accrue. The gate is eligibility instead, and specifically Medicaid, because a person must have Medicaid to receive these services. So the first practical step in Nebraska is not the waiver application at all — it is making sure Medicaid eligibility is established, through the ordinary route or through one of the disabled children's programs if household income would otherwise disqualify you.
- Developmental disabilities registryeliminated, June 2025
- Prerequisitethe person must have Medicaid
What it can pay for
- Respite
- Child day habilitation
- Community integration and day supports
- Independent living
- Supported family living
- Family and peer mentoring
- Family caregiver training
- Assistive technology
- Home and vehicle modifications
- Homemaker services
- Non-medical transportation
- Personal emergency response system
Other programs worth knowing
Autism Waiver
A surviving autism-specific waiver. Few states still have one; name it when you call.
Disabled Children's Program and Disabled Persons and Family Support
Routes that can help establish support where the ordinary Medicaid income test would exclude you. Worth asking about before assuming you earn too much.
Lifespan Respite Subsidy Program
A separate respite subsidy, useful while other pieces are being arranged.
Nebraskaproviders & 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
- Nebraska DHHS — DD regulations and waivers
- Office of Governor Pillen — elimination of the developmental disabilities registry
- Nebraska DHHS — eligibility for DD services (PDF)
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.