Medicaid waivers for autism in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvanians with an intellectual disability or autism who meet the level-of-care requirement for waiver services.
- Main program
- Consolidated, Community Living and P/FDS Waivers (ODP)
- Typical wait
- Varies by county and urgency category
- Administered by
- Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), through county Administrative Entities — usually the county MH/ID office
How to get on the list
Contact your county MH/ID office and make an appointment to register for supports. The AE determines level of care and completes your PUNS assessment. Disability Rights Pennsylvania (1-800-692-7443) can help if you are refused or stalled.
Open the official Pennsylvania page →Does autism qualify?
This is the important one. Since July 2017, ODP's waivers include an 'autism only' eligibility category — autistic people of any age who meet level of care can register, without needing an intellectual disability diagnosis. Guidance written before 2017 says otherwise and is out of date.
How the waiting list works
Every ODP waiver has a waiting list, and your Administrative Entity assesses urgency using PUNS — Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services. You are placed in Emergency, Critical or Planning need. Enrollment happens as capacity frees up, with the most urgent going first, so your category matters more than your date. If your circumstances worsen, ask your AE to reassess it.
What it can pay for
- Respite
- Community participation supports
- Supported employment
- Behavioral support
- Therapies
- Residential supports (Consolidated)
Other programs worth knowing
Consolidated vs P/FDS vs Community Living
Consolidated covers the highest support needs including residential. P/FDS and Community Living are capped, family-directed alternatives with shorter routes in. Ask your AE which you are being assessed for — the answer affects both wait and what you can access.
Pennsylvaniaproviders & 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
- PA DHS — Consolidated Waiver
- PA DHS — P/FDS Waiver
- ASERT / PAAutism — waivers for autistic people
- Disability Rights PA — Medicaid waivers for ID or autism
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 If something here is out of date, tell us.