Residential Housing vs. Waiver Services: Understanding the Difference

Families often hear terms such as residential housing, Medicaid waiver, DODD services, and HPC during the placement process.

These services may complement one another, but they are not necessarily the same thing.

Residential Housing

Residential housing provides the individual's living environment.

Depending on the residence, housing may include room, meals, supervision, structured routines, household support, and other residential services.

Waiver Services

Eligible individuals may also have authorized services through Medicaid or developmental-disability waiver programs.

Examples may include:

• Homemaker Personal Care

• Participant-Directed HPC

• Non-Medical Transportation

• Home Delivered Meals

Services depend on eligibility and the individual's authorized service plan.

Walker Wellness Homes

Walker Wellness Homes provides residential housing, and staff includes independent providers who may deliver authorized DODD and Medicaid waiver services to eligible individuals.

Residential placement does not automatically create waiver eligibility or authorization.