Medicaid waivers for autism in New Jersey
New Jerseyans with a chronic developmental disability that began before age 22, is expected to last indefinitely, and substantially limits them in at least three major life activities.
- Main program
- DDD Supports Program and Community Care Program
- Typical wait
- Supports Program has no wait; Community Care Program does
- Administered by
- Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), NJ Department of Human Services
- Age rules
- The disability must have begun before age 22. DDD serves adults; children's services run through other systems, so families transition into DDD as the young person approaches adulthood.
How to get on the list
Establish DDD eligibility and Medicaid eligibility first — these are the gate for everything else. For children under 3, start with the NJ Early Intervention System on 1-888-653-4463. Ask DDD explicitly about enrolling in the Supports Program while you wait for Community Care.
Open the official New Jersey page →Does autism qualify?
Autism is a qualifying developmental disability. Eligibility turns on the three-major-life-activities test and, for the Community Care Program, an ICF/IDD level-of-care assessment via the NJCAT.
How the waiting list works
This is the point most New Jersey families miss. The Community Care Program — the higher-intensity option — does have a waiting list with limited slots. But anyone determined DDD-eligible and Medicaid-eligible can enrol in the **Supports Program** straight away and begin receiving services, while remaining on the Community Care Program list. So the answer to 'is there a waiting list?' is yes and no, and a family that hears only 'yes' may sit and wait when they could be getting help now.
What it can pay for
- Individual supports
- Respite
- Day habilitation and supported employment
- Behavioral supports
- Community-based supports
Other programs worth knowing
Supports Program
Available now to anyone DDD- and Medicaid-eligible, with no waiting list. Ask for it by name.
Community Care Program (CCP)
Higher-intensity supports, limited slots, waiting list. You can stay on this list while receiving Supports Program services.
New Jerseyproviders & 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
- NJ DDD
- NJ DDD — Community Care Program FAQs
- Autism NJ — quick guide to DDD waiver programs
- The Arc of NJ — what the Community Care Waiver means
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.