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Illinois Life Span Program

Comparison of Adult Medicaid Waivers Programs: DDD v DRS

Last Updated June 2025

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Note: There are 9 waivers in IL. Only 2 are being compared in this document.

Comparison of Adult Services: IL Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS), Medicaid waiver Home Services Program or the IL Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), Home-Based Services Program/Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA)

Individuals with disabilities can receive funding for services through only one Medicaid waiver. Some people with I/DD selected from the PUNS have been receiving services through the DRS Adult Waiver Home-Services Program for Persons with Disabilities/ Persons with Brain Injuries (TBI) must make a choice whether to remain with the DRS waiver or begin the application for services through the Adults with DD Waiver. Please note two key differences: The DRS waiver offers funding that can increase as the complexity of the disability increases. DRS Home Services are mostly offered in one’s home. Whereas, DDD home-based services can be offered outside of the home and are based upon a fixed funding award of 3 x SSI monthly program allotment.

DRS Medicaid Waiver

https://hfs.illinois.gov/medicalclients/hcbs/disablities.html

Home Services Program

Union membership that offers health care for personal assistant (PA); union sets PA hourly wage

Eligibility: Under age 60 with severe disability lasting at least 12 months or life, imminent risk of health facility placement

Services include:

  • In-home Service – PA hours based on determination of need (DON) score
  • Electronic Home Response System
  • Home-Delivered Meals
  • Adult Day Care (ADC)
  • Assistive Equipment
  • Environmental Modification
  • Respite
  • Homemaker
  • Nursing/Intermittent Nursing
  • Therapies (PT/OT/Speech)
  • Home Health Aide
  • Specialized Medical Equipment
  • Supported Employment (SEP)*

NOTE: No Community Day Services Programming and or residential services

Non-Waiver Specialized services: 12 week Vocational Training (Blind/ Visually Impaired) • Employment Assistance (Deaf/Hard of Hearing) • Bilingual Staff Assistance (Hispanic/Latino)

DDD Medicaid Waiver – HBS

https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=144890

Home-based services from monthly allotment of 3 X SSI (Adult)

Employer and personal support worker (PSW) negotiate an hourly rate for the PSW to be paid.

Eligibility: IQ of 70 or below before age 18 OR related condition before age 22 with significant life skill deficits in 3 of 6 major life areas (self-care, language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living); PUNS waiting list

Services include:

  • Individualized Service and Support Advocacy
  • Supported employment (SEP)*
  • Behavior Counseling (Individual and Group
  • Behavior Intervention and Treatment
  • Psychotherapy
  • Support Services Team
  • PT/OT/Speech Therapy*
  • Adaptive Equipment*
  • Assistive Technology*
  • Home Accessibility & Vehicle Modifications*
  • Self-Direction Assistance
  • Personal Support
  • Temporary Assistance**
  • Nursing
  • Emergency Home Response Services
  • Transportation (non-medical)
  • Training and Counseling for Unpaid Caregivers
  • Out of home respite
  • Adult Day Care*
  • Community Day Service (CDS) program
  • Temporary Intensive Staffing (in CDS program only)*

(** when unpaid caregiver is unable to provide support due to a temporary absence.)

The SSI monthly allotment is determined by Social Security. This amount is generally updated in January of each year.

DDD Medicaid Waiver – CILA

https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=144890

Community Integrated Living Arrangement

Three options: Group CILA, Host Family CILA (24/7 care), Intermittent/Hourly CILA (less than 24/7 care)

Eligibility: IQ of 70 or below before age 18 OR related condition before age 22 with significant life skill deficits in 3 of 6 major life areas (self-care, language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living); PUNS waiting list

Services include:

  • Individualized Service and Support Advocacy
  • Residential Habilitation
  • Community Day Service (CDS) program
  • Temporary Intensive Staffing*
  • Supported Employment (SEP)*
  • Adult Day Care*
  • Other Day Program (formerly sheltered workshop)*
  • PT/OT/Speech Therapy*
  • Behavior Counseling (Individual and Group)
  • Behavior Intervention and Treatment
  • Psychotherapy
  • Adaptive Equipment*
  • Assistive Technology*
  • Home Accessibility Modifications*

*Services that require both authorization and prior approval are marked with an asterisk.

See DHS DDD comparison chart offered at https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=101181

Questions to Consider:

What services does my adult child need funding for?

❏ (ie. Personal Support, Community Day Services, Residential Services, etc)

Where will the majority of services take place?

❏ In the home and the community

❏ At a residential setting

❏ Must take place in Illinois; waiver funding is non-transferable to another state

How does each waiver provide my adult child with an amount of service?

❏ DRS assigns each individual a fixed number of hours for personal care service

❏ DDD provides a fixed monthly amount to be allocated for personal support and other services

Location of services:

❏ A Personal Assistant (PA) paid through DRS Home Services Program enrolled in the persons with disabilities waiver provides some services exclusively within the home, which can include some community hours.

❏ A Personal Support Worker (PSW) paid through DDD can provide services in the home, in the community, and in an agency setting. (Note: if a person is being supported by a CDS provider, they’re not allowed to receive and bill for PSW services during that time.)Questions to Consider:

More Information

Eligibility:

Family Advocate Line:

708-331-7370

815-464-1832 ext 1032

www.thearcofil.org

Disclaimer – This is a broad explanation. More specific information can be provided by DDD, DRS, or Family Advocate.

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