Michelle P. Waiver is home and community-based waiver program of the Kentucky Medicaid program. The Michelle P. Waiver program is designed to serve as an alternative to institutional care, where individuals with intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities can live at home with supportive services.
In 2002, Michelle Phillips sued the state of Kentucky because there weren’t enough community based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. At the time of the lawsuit, the Supports for Community Living (SCL) Waiver, a Kentucky Medicaid home and community-based waiver, had 3,000 people on the waiting list. The lawsuit, which made its way to federal court, resulted in an expansion of Kentucky Medicaid services. As a result, in 2008, the state agreed to start a new waiver to serve individuals on SCL waiver waiting list, which would later be called the Michelle P. Waiver.
One of the main differences between the Michelle P. Waiver and the SCL Waiver is that the Michelle P. Waiver limits individual services to 40 hours per week. The SCL Waiver allows for more than 40 hours of services a week and offers the option of residential services. It’s also important to note that individuals cannot be on the Michelle P. Waiver and the SCL Waiver at the same time.
The services available through the Michelle P. Waiver include:
- Case Management
- Adult Day Training
- Supported Employment
- Community Living Supports
- Behavior Supports
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Speech Therapy
- Respite
- Homemaker Service
- Personal Care
- Attendant Care
- Environmental/Minor Home Adaptation
- Adult Day Health Care
Michelle P. Waiver eligibility
The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services defines eligibility for the Michelle P. Waiver as “people with a developmental or intellectual disability who require a protected environment while learning living skills, educational experiences, awareness of their environment and meet Medicaid financial eligibility requirements are eligible.”
How to apply for the Michelle P. Waiver
Individuals or families can apply for Medicaid or Medicaid Waivers online through the Benefind Self Service Portal.
For more information about the Michelle P. Waiver and the application process, visit http://chfs.ky.gov/dms/mpw.htm.
Quest Farm 
I signed up but is there a 2 year wait or what I don’t really know how it works I have a grand child raising for 5 years now could u tell me where to check on facts of the program heard it was a great way to help my grandson is 9
Hey Vanessa! The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services website is a good place to start and learn some more information about the Michelle P. Waiver. You can use this URL to go to the Michelle P. Waiver page http://chfs.ky.gov/dms/mpw.htm
Hey Vanessa, Do your best to get on that wait list, but don’t hold your breath for their “2 years.” My son’s been on the wait list since he turned 3 – 5 1/2 years ago.
Sandra Baird and Vanessa Cook.
Hope you have been able to get on the waiver program by now. If not got go to an agency that provides the severice through them. In Lexington, Kentucky it is Bluegrass ADD (area development district).Other states should have similar programs.
My mother has been caring for my nephew who has CP since he was born. He is now 32 and my mother is 72. things are much more difficult for her due to her home is not handicap accessible and she is getting up in age. what programs are available to help her get things for her home to make caring for him easier?
What do I need to do if I suspicion a employee of the MPW is claiming hours but not actually working? Will they get into legal trouble? If your signed up for 40 hours a week do you have to do all 40?
What are the reasons a employee needs to be at the residence for the GPS system they use?