How to Apply for the CDD Waiver in Nebraska
This guide walks you through every step of the CDD waiver application process in Nebraska
If you've decided that Nebraska's Comprehensive Developmental Disability (CDD) Waiver is the right path for your family, the next question is probably the most practical one: How do I actually apply?
The CDD waiver application process isn't complicated, but it does require patience, documentation, and coordination with Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services. Some families move through the process relatively quickly. Others find themselves waiting months or even years depending on available funding and the urgency of their loved one's needs.
This guide walks you through every step of the CDD waiver application process in Nebraska — what to expect, what documents you'll need, who you'll work with, and how to navigate the waiting period if you end up on the list.
Step 1: Determine If the CDD Waiver Is the Right Fit
Before you start the application process, it's worth confirming that the CDD waiver actually matches your loved one's needs. The CDD waiver is designed for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities who require the level of care typically provided in an institutional setting — specifically, an Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (ICF/DD).
This means your loved one needs significant support in areas like personal care, health and safety supervision, or behavioral management. If they're living independently with minimal support or if your family is managing well at home without needing residential services, the Family Support Waiver (FSW) or Developmental Disability Adult Day (DDAD) Waiver might be a better match.
Your case manager or service coordinator can help you assess whether the CDD waiver aligns with your situation. If you don't already have a case manager, that's your first step.
Step 2: Connect with a Case Manager or Service Coordinator
The CDD waiver application process begins with a case manager or service coordinator. These professionals work through Nebraska DHHS or contracted agencies and serve as your guide through the waiver system. They assess eligibility, help you navigate paperwork, coordinate services, and advocate on behalf of your family.
If you're already connected to Nebraska's developmental disabilities system — perhaps your child received early intervention services or you've been working with a school transition coordinator — you may already have a case manager assigned. If not, you'll need to request one.
To get connected with a case manager:
Contact your local DHHS office or the Division of Developmental Disabilities
They'll assign someone to work with your family based on your county and your loved one's needs
This person becomes your primary point of contact throughout the application process and beyond
Your case manager will become your primary point of contact throughout the application process and beyond, so building a good working relationship with them matters. They're the ones who can answer questions about eligibility, explain what documentation is needed, and help you understand where you are in the queue if there's a waiting list.
Step 3: Complete the Level of Care Assessment
To qualify for the CDD waiver, your loved one must meet Nebraska's level of care criteria. This is determined through a formal assessment conducted by a qualified evaluator, typically arranged through your case manager.
The level of care assessment looks at several areas:
Activities of daily living — bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, and mobility
Health and safety needs — whether your loved one requires supervision to prevent harm to themselves or others
Behavioral support needs — whether specialized services are needed to manage challenging behaviors
Medical complexity — chronic conditions, medication management needs, or frequent medical interventions
The assessment isn't a test your loved one passes or fails. It's a comprehensive evaluation designed to understand the scope of support they need. Be honest and thorough when describing your loved one's needs. Some parents worry that if they make things sound "too manageable," their child won't qualify — but understating needs doesn't help anyone. The goal is an accurate picture of what daily life looks like and what supports are necessary.
If your loved one meets the institutional level of care criteria, the evaluator will document that in their report, which becomes part of your CDD waiver application.
Step 4: Gather Required Documentation
The CDD waiver application requires documentation to verify eligibility. Your case manager will provide a checklist of what's needed, but common documents include:
Proof of developmental disability:
Psychological evaluation
IQ test results
Diagnosis from a qualified professional
Educational records showing special education services
Proof of Nebraska residency:
Utility bill
Lease agreement or mortgage statement
State ID or driver's license
Social Security and Medicaid information:
Social Security card or number
Medicaid eligibility documentation (if your loved one isn't already enrolled in Medicaid, that will need to happen before the waiver can be approved)
Medical records (if applicable):
Documentation of complex medical needs
Behavioral assessments or reports
Medication lists
Records of hospitalizations or emergency interventions
The documentation process can feel overwhelming, especially if you're pulling together years of records. Start early and keep copies of everything in one place. If you're missing a key document — say, an old psychological evaluation from when your child was younger — your case manager can often help you figure out how to get a new one or find an acceptable alternative.
Step 5: Submit the Application
Once your case manager has completed the level of care assessment and gathered all required documentation, they'll submit your application to Nebraska DHHS. You won't be filling out the application yourself — your case manager handles that part. Your role is to provide accurate information, answer questions, and supply the necessary documents.
After submission, DHHS reviews the application to confirm that your loved one meets eligibility criteria for the waiver. This review process can take several weeks. If everything is in order, you'll receive notification that your loved one has been approved for the CDD waiver.
But here's where things get tricky: approval doesn't mean services start immediately.
Step 6: Understanding the Waiting List
Nebraska's CDD waiver typically has a waiting list. Even if your loved one is approved as eligible, there may not be immediate funding available to start services. The state allocates a certain number of waiver "slots" each year, and when demand exceeds available slots, families wait.
Wait times vary depending on:
Available state funding
The urgency of your loved one's needs
Where you fall in the queue based on when your application was submitted
Some families wait a few months, while others wait years. Nebraska does have an urgent need process for individuals in crisis situations. If your loved one is at immediate risk — for example, they're about to lose their current living situation, they're experiencing a significant health or safety concern, or they're aging out of another system without supports in place — your case manager can request an urgent need review. Urgent need cases are prioritized and may receive services more quickly than families on the standard waiting list.
If you're not in an urgent need situation, the waiting period is simply part of the process. It's frustrating, especially when you know your loved one needs services now, not months or years from now. But understanding that the wait isn't personal and isn't a reflection of your family's situation can help manage expectations.
Step 7: What to Do While You Wait
Being on the CDD waiver waiting list doesn't mean you're completely without options. There are steps you can take while waiting for services to begin.
Stay engaged and proactive:
Stay in regular contact with your case manager — Check in periodically to confirm that your application is still active and to ask about any updates
Explore other waiver options — If your loved one qualifies for the Family Support Waiver or the DDAD waiver, those programs may have shorter wait times and can provide some services in the meantime
Look into community resources — Local disability advocacy organizations, family support groups, and nonprofit agencies sometimes offer programs, respite care, or skill-building services that can help bridge the gap
Plan ahead financially — Think about how you'll sustain caregiving until waiver services begin (employment considerations, respite needs, health insurance)
Keep documentation current — If your loved one's needs change significantly while you're on the waiting list, notify your case manager immediately
Changes in circumstances can sometimes affect your placement on the list or your eligibility for urgent need status.
Step 8: Services Begin
When a CDD waiver slot becomes available and you're next in line, your case manager will notify you. At that point, the process moves quickly. You'll work with your case manager to develop an Individual Service Plan (ISP), which outlines what services your loved one will receive, how many hours of support they need, and which provider agencies will deliver those services.
The ISP is person-centered, meaning it's built around your loved one's goals, preferences, and needs. You'll have input into what services are prioritized and how supports are structured. If your loved one needs residential services, you'll work with an approved provider agency to find the right placement — whether that's a shared living home, a group home, or supported living arrangement. If personal care or day services are needed, you'll coordinate with providers to get those started.
Once the ISP is approved and providers are in place, services begin. This is the moment families have been waiting for — the point where formal, funded support finally becomes available.
Step 9: Ongoing Case Management and Annual Reviews
The CDD waiver isn't a one-time approval that lasts forever. Services are reviewed annually to ensure they're still meeting your loved one's needs and that they continue to qualify for the waiver. Your case manager will coordinate these reviews, which involve reassessing level of care, updating the ISP if needs have changed, and confirming that services are being delivered as planned.
Annual reviews are also an opportunity to adjust services. If your loved one's needs increase and they require more hours of support, that can be addressed during the review process. If they've made progress and need less intensive services, the plan can be modified accordingly.
Your case manager remains your point of contact throughout your time on the CDD waiver. If issues arise with a provider, if your loved one's needs change, or if you have questions about what's covered, your case manager is the person to reach out to.
Common Questions Families Ask About the Application Process
How long does the entire process take from start to finish?
The answer depends on several factors. If you already have recent assessments and documentation, the application itself can be completed in a matter of weeks. The DHHS review process typically takes a few weeks after submission. The waiting list is the wildcard — some families wait months, others wait years, and some do not wait at all. If you qualify for urgent need status, services can sometimes begin within weeks.
Does applying for the CDD waiver affect other benefits?
Generally, no. Applying for the CDD waiver doesn't impact Social Security benefits, Medicaid eligibility, or other supports your loved one is already receiving. The waiver is an additional layer of services, not a replacement for existing benefits.
What happens if our application is denied?
If DHHS determines that your loved one doesn't meet the level of care criteria for the CDD waiver, you have the right to appeal that decision. Your case manager can explain the appeals process and help you gather additional documentation if needed. Sometimes a denial is based on incomplete information, and providing more thorough records can result in approval.
Do we need a lawyer to navigate the waiver application process?
Most families don't. Your case manager is there to guide you through the process, and the system is designed to be accessible without legal representation. That said, if you're facing a denial and considering an appeal, or if you're dealing with complex guardianship or financial issues, consulting with a disability attorney or advocate can be helpful.
What Families Need to Know Going In
The CDD waiver application process requires patience. It's not fast, and it's not always straightforward. There will be paperwork to track down, assessments to schedule, and waiting periods that test your resolve. But for families who need comprehensive services for a loved one with significant support needs, the CDD waiver is often the key to accessing the care and support that makes life sustainable.
The process is also deeply relational. Your case manager becomes a critical partner in your family's journey. The quality of that relationship — how well you communicate, how proactive they are, how much they advocate for your loved one — can make a significant difference in how smoothly things go.
And here's something that families don't always realize going in: the waiver system is flexible. If your loved one's needs change over time, services can be adjusted. If they transition from one living situation to another, supports can shift accordingly. The system is designed to evolve with your family, not to lock you into a rigid set of services forever.
The most important thing you can do as you begin this process is to stay engaged. Ask questions. Follow up regularly. Keep records organized. Advocate for your loved one when something doesn't feel right. And remember that you're not navigating this alone — your case manager, provider agencies, and the broader disability community are there to support you.
Thinking about applying for the CDD waiver in Nebraska? Connect with Alora Supports to talk through what the process looks like and how we can support your family through the journey.
