Who can enroll in Kansas’s Community Support Waiver?

According to KDADS, participants must be age 5 or older, have an intellectual disability that began before age 18 or a developmental disability that began before age 22, meet institutional level-of-care and Medicaid financial rules, and live in Kansas. The waiver targets people who do not need continuous 24-hour support.

How many people can the Kansas Community Support Waiver serve in year one?

CMS approved projected enrollment of 500 people for the first waiver year, Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2027, according to the Kansas governor’s office.

What is the annual service cap on the Kansas Community Support Waiver?

The governor’s July 9, 2026 release says services under the waiver are subject to an annual cap of $20,000 per participant.

Kansas Community Support Waiver starts Oct. 1

Kansas opens a new Medicaid HCBS waiver on Oct. 1 for up to 500 people with I/DD who need less than 24-hour support.

policy · kansas · hcbs · waiver · waitlist

Lldankert, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Direct Support News desk · October 1, 2026 · 1 min read

Kansas’s new Community Support Waiver is live today under a CMS-approved 1915(c) waiver that the governor’s office said becomes effective Oct. 1, 2026, alongside a KanCare 1915(b) amendment.

In a July 9 press release, Gov. Laura Kelly and the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) said CMS approved the initial HCBS waiver on July 1 and authorized 500 projected participants for the first year (Oct. 1, 2026–Sept. 30, 2027). The program is aimed at Kansans ages 5 and older with I/DD who do not need continuous 24-hour support but would otherwise meet ICF/IID level of care.

KDADS lists goals that include earlier access to services, stronger family caregiving, competitive integrated employment, and more chances for people to choose and direct supports. Covered services named by the governor’s office include personal care, respite, employment supports, therapies, assistive technology and remote supports, home and environmental modifications, life skills, benefits planning, family/caregiver support, individual-directed goods and services, and non-medical transportation. Services are subject to a $20,000 annual cap per participant.

Johnson County’s Community Developmental Disabilities Organization also states the waiver begins Oct. 1, 2026, and publishes a local service list for affiliates.

Why this matters

For families waiting on Kansas’s comprehensive I/DD waiver, a capped “right-sized” option can mean earlier supported living-style help instead of years with nothing. Provider agencies and CDDOs need enrollment, screening, and rate readiness as the first 500 slots fill. DSPs and supervisors will see new service combinations—personal care, remote support, employment, and mod work—under a hard annual dollar limit, so person-centered plans have to stretch dollars carefully.

Common questions

Who can enroll in Kansas’s Community Support Waiver?: According to KDADS, participants must be age 5 or older, have an intellectual disability that began before age 18 or a developmental disability that began before age 22, meet institutional level-of-care and Medicaid financial rules, and live in Kansas. The waiver targets people who do not need continuous 24-hour support.
How many people can the Kansas Community Support Waiver serve in year one?: CMS approved projected enrollment of 500 people for the first waiver year, Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2027, according to the Kansas governor’s office.
What is the annual service cap on the Kansas Community Support Waiver?: The governor’s July 9, 2026 release says services under the waiver are subject to an annual cap of $20,000 per participant.

Sources

Governor Kelly Announces CMS Approval of Kansas’ Community Supports Waiver Effective October 1, 2026 · July 9, 2026 · CMS approved the 1915(c) waiver July 1, 2026; effective Oct. 1 with KanCare 1915(b) amendment
Community Support Waiver · October 1, 2026 · KDADS program page with eligibility and service goals
Community Support Waiver Services and Supports · October 1, 2026 · County CDDO confirms waiver begins Oct. 1, 2026 and lists covered services