South Carolina Fine Print: Waiver Waitlists

Find Out If You Are Actually on the List

Here is the first thing I would check. Two of South Carolina's waivers have waiting lists, and a lot of families assume they are on one when they are not.

The state says: “The Intellectual Disability/Related Disabilities (ID/RD) and Community Supports (CS) Waivers both have waiting lists.” (SC DDSN, What is a Waiver?)

The state says how to check.

The state says: “If you are not currently on a waiting list or are unsure if you are on a waiting list please contact your case manager and they will verify your placement on the list and, if necessary, ensure you are added.” (SC DDSN, What is a Waiver?)

Say: “Can you confirm in writing which waiver waiting lists my child is on, the date we were added, and what our place on the list is?”

That date matters. Keep it.

How You Get Started (Under Three and Over Three)

The path depends on your child's age. For a child under three, it runs through BabyNet. You do not have to be in BabyNet to apply for the Community Supports waiver.

The state says: “For persons under age 3, application must be made through BabyNet. BabyNet eligibility/services do not have to be obtained to apply for the Community Supports Waiver.” (SC BHDD, Community Supports Waivers)

From three on, you contact the state disability agency yourself, and the list comes after eligibility.

The state says: “For persons aged 3 and older, contact DDSN at 1-800-289-7012 to apply for services.” (SC BHDD, Community Supports Waivers)

The state says: “If you are determined eligible for DDSN services, you will be added to the appropriate waiver waiting list if you have not been added previously.” (SC BHDD, Community Supports Waivers)

The agency is now called the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, and many pages still say DDSN. Same place. The BabyNet page covers the first step.

Use It or Lose It

Getting a slot is not the end. Waivers have a use requirement. The state's page for the ID/RD waiver lists what ends enrollment, and one item is easy to miss.

The state says: “does not receive two ID/RD Waiver services each calendar month.” (SC BHDD, ID/RD Waivers)

The Community Supports waiver page says the same about its services.

The state says: “does not receive two Community Supports Waiver services each calendar month.” (SC BHDD, Community Supports Waivers)

Another state page puts the rule differently.

The state says: “Once enrolled you must receive a service every 30 days to keep the waiver” (SC DDSN, What is a Waiver?)

Those two do not say the same thing. I would not guess which one your case manager is working from, so ask. Disability Rights South Carolina says it plainly too.

Disability Rights South Carolina says: “Once you receive a HCBS waiver slot, you must use a certain amount of those services on a regular basis to keep your waiver services.” (Disability Rights South Carolina, Medicaid Guide)

Say: “What is the exact rule for how often my child has to receive a waiver service to keep the slot, and what do we do if a provider is not available that month? Please put it in writing.”

The 364 Day Plan

Every waiver participant needs an annual plan. The deadline is a day early, and the penalty is that Medicaid stops paying.

The state says: “An annual plan of services and supports must be completed once every 364 days. If the new plan is not completed by the 364th day, Medicaid cannot pay for services provided.” (SC BHDD, Community Supports Waivers)

Put the date on your calendar the day the plan is signed, and ask your case manager to start the next one early.

When a Service Is Approved but Nobody Can Provide It

Sometimes the service is approved and the provider list is short. The state is honest about it.

The state says: “The services listed below may be limited due to provider availability.” (SC BHDD, Community Supports Waivers)

Which makes the use rule above worth asking about. Ask the case manager how the month is counted if a provider cannot start.

A Faster Slot, in Some Situations

The wait is long for most people, but Disability Rights South Carolina notes that it is not the same for everyone.

Disability Rights South Carolina says: “In certain situations, a person might get an HCBS waiver slot faster.” (Disability Rights South Carolina, Medicaid Guide)

Ask your case manager whether any of those situations apply to your family, and ask what the current wait is for your waiver. Disability Rights South Carolina and Family Connection of South Carolina will talk it through for free.

Disability Rights South Carolina says: “Some waivers have very long waiting lists so it is important that you learn how long the wait list for that waiver may be so that you can receive the services when you need them.” (Disability Rights South Carolina, Medicaid Guide)

If the Answer Is No

A denial of eligibility has to come with a reason and a way to ask again.

The state says: “An applicant found ineligible for DDSN services will be notified in writing, including reason(s) for denial. This notification will provide information on how to appeal denial of eligibility.” (SC BHDD, Community Supports Waivers)

The disagree-in-writing guide has the general steps.

A Way to Ask That Works

Be the parent who calls, writes it down and follows up in an email. The people who answer these phones are carrying a lot of names, and a clear, kind request helps them help you. Family Connection of South Carolina can help you work out which waiver fits. These pages change, so check the sources linked below.