People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Face Prolonged HCBS Delays

According to a recent report by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), those with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) experienced the longest wait for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), averaging a staggering 50 months. The waiting period varied across waiver populations, ranging from 5 months for seniors to 37 months for individuals with autism.

Across all populations in the years spanning 2016 to 2023, states consistently reported a substantial number of individuals, close to 700,000, on waiting lists or interest lists for HCBS or optional services). These figures highlight the persistent challenges faced by individuals seeking HCBS, with the fluctuation in numbers ranging from a low of 656,000 in 2016 and 2021 to a high of 820,000 in 2018. As of 2023, 38 states maintained HCBS waiting lists. Individuals on these lists faced an average wait time of 36 months—a decrease from 45 months in 2021.