Medicaid waivers for autism in Virginia
Virginians with a developmental disability, including autism, who need support to live at home or in the community rather than an institution.
- Main program
- DD Waivers — Community Living, Family & Individual Supports, Building Independence
- Typical wait
- By urgency, not by date — Priority 1 is served within about a year
- Administered by
- Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), through 40 local Community Services Boards
How to get on the list
Contact your local Community Services Board or Behavioral Health Authority and ask for a screening for the Developmental Disability Waiver. Bring proof of the disability — psychological evaluations, medical reports, therapy records. The CSB assesses functional ability and assigns your priority level.
Open the official Virginia page →Does autism qualify?
Autism is explicitly covered. The CSB assesses functional ability across everyday activities — bathing, mobility, communication, learning — so bring psychological evaluations plus OT, PT and speech records.
How the waiting list works
Virginia assigns slots by urgency of need, not first come first served. After a screening, your CSB completes a Priority Needs Checklist and assigns Priority 1 (in crisis, needs services within a year), Priority 2 (significant unmet need) or Priority 3. Your priority level is the thing that determines when you are served — so the checklist is the document that matters, and it should be revisited whenever your circumstances change.
What it can pay for
- Personal assistance and companion care
- Respite
- Group and individual supported employment
- Community engagement and coaching
- Assistive technology and environmental modifications
- Residential supports (Community Living)
Other programs worth knowing
Which of the three waivers
Community Living covers the highest needs including residential; Family & Individual Supports is for people living with family or independently; Building Independence is for adults living more independently. Ask your CSB which you are being screened for — it affects both wait and services.
Virginiaproviders & 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
- DBHDS — waiver information for individuals and families
- Virginia Medicaid (DMAS) — DD waivers
- The Arc of Virginia — DD waivers
- My Life My Community — DD waiver info
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.