The Elderly and Persons with Physical Disabilities (EPD) Waiver Program allows DC residents, who would otherwise require nursing home care, to receive services and supports while living in their home or in assisted living communities. If you need help with activities of daily living such as eating, dressing, toileting, and bathing, then the EPD program may be of help to you.
To qualify for the EPD Waiver program, you must:
• Be a U.S. citizen or have a qualified immigration status for Medicaid
• Be a resident of the District of Columbia
• Be elderly (65 years of age or older) or 18-64 years old with a physical disability
• Have a DC Medicaid Provider complete a Prescription Order Form (POF)
• Have Liberty Healthcare complete a face-to-face assessment to establish "level of need"
• Have countable assets (ex. saving or checking account) that do not exceed $4,000 for an individual
• Have countable income that does not exceed $2,743 a month in 2023 or be able to meet the Spend Down obligation amount for Medicaid eligibility
Services available under the EPD Waiver Program may include:
• Case Management – a social worker will work with you to identify and coordinate services under the EPD Waiver Program
• Personal Care Aide (PCA) Services – a trained professional aide will come into your home to assist with activities, i.e. grooming, dressing, eating, toileting, etc.
• Personal Emergency Response Services (PERS) – an electronic service that allows people to call for assistance
• Services MyWay – a program where you decide how you receive services and who will provide them
• Assisted Living - licensed home participants can live in and have access to services they need to maintain independence
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the process to get a Home Health Aide? *
Apply for the Elderly and Persons with Physical Disability Waiver (EPD Waiver). Learn more at dacl.dc.gov/service/epd-waiver.
What is the EPD Waiver?
The EPD Waiver program allows DC residents, who would otherwise require nursing home care, to receive services and supports while living in their home or in assisted living communities. If you need help with activities of daily living such as eating, dressing, toileting, and bathing, then the EPD program may be of help to you.
What is DACL’s role when applying for the EPD Waiver?
DACL’s Medicaid Services Enrollment Unit (MES) helps individuals interested in enrolling in the Elderly and Persons with Physical Disabilities Waiver (EPD). This unit provides streamlined access to the EPD Wavier program by assisting with application coordination and submission, and linkage to EPD Waiver case management.
View more frequently asked questions here.
