Financial & Legal Supports and Services 

From the Home & Community Based Services department of the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services

Wide range of services available, including supported employment, medical support, and residential support for adults and children. 

I/DD Waiver "...serves individuals age five and older who meet the definition of intellectual disability, having a developmental disability or are eligible for care in an Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF-IID)."\

Eligibility: 

• Must be 5 years of age or older;

• Have Intellectual Disability that began before the age of 18;

• Have a diagnosis of a Developmental Disability that began before the age of 22;

• Must be determined program eligible by the Community Disability Determination Organization;

• Meet the Medicaid long-term care institutional threshold score;

• Be financially eligible for Medicaid.

Important Links:

• Link to I/DD Waiver Website

• To apply for this waiver, you will need to contact the Wyandotte County CDDO 

Kansas ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) is a state savings plan that is available to persons with disabilities that are receiving SSI or SSDI to save money (up to $100,000) without impacting SSI benefit limits. You can withdraw money from this account at any time as long as the withdrawals are used for qualified disability-related expenses.

Eligibility:

•  Your disability was present before the age of 26; and

• One of the following is true:

  • You experience blindness as determined by the Social Security Act; or

  • You are entitled to receive Social Security disability benefits (SSI or SSDI) or have a similarly severe disability and possess a written diagnosis from a licensed physician.

Important Links:

• Kansas ABLE Main Website -- Main website with online enrollment options, information, etc. 

• Enrollment Brochure -- This brochure includes eligibility criteria, investment options, and portfolio details

• Parent-Friendly Brochure  -- This brochure is the condensed version that can be printed and used as a quick reference form. 

Many of our families have used Leslie Byram for guardianship/trust representation. She uses a sliding scale for payments, which can be very helpful as the court process can be costly.  The guardianship decision is very important because, just like persons without disabilities, your child will become their own legal decision-maker when they turn 18. Guardianship, should you choose to pursue that pathway, gives you continued parental rights/access to records that you have had. 

Ms Byram's contact information:

• Leslie Byram 

• 9401 Nall Ave. 

• Prairie Village, KS 66207 

• 913-486-0268 

• leslie@byramlaw.com 

"Provide access to services for persons with developmental disabilities, and coordinate with affiliate agencies and other providers."

The Wyandotte County CDDO will be an important resource for your child. They provide access to a wide range of services including I/DD waiver applications, residential services, and case management services. 

Eligibility:

• To be eligible, you must have an intellectual disability or be otherwise developmentally disabled to an extent that you would need life-long services. 

Important Links:

• Wyandotte County CDDO Main Website -- Main website with general information about the WyCo CDDO 

• Eligibility -- Website with eligibility guidelines for CDDO services

SSI is designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people, who have little or no income. SSI also provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. SSI can be extremely beneficial to families, as it provides monies to offset the cost of having a disability.  

Eligibility:

• Aged 65 or older;

• blind or;

• otherwise disabled

Important Links:

• Supplemental Security Income Main Website -- This is the main website for SSI. You can find a general overview of SSI and links to other helpful information here. 

• Work Incentives  -- Explains earned income exclusions and other programs through which your SSI benefits may (or may not) be impacted. 

• Understanding SSI  -- An overview of what SSI is, this website is a guidebook with lots of links!

• Applying for SSI -- Provides instructions on applying for SSI 

Another Day, Inc. is a local agency intended for persons who are self-directing their care. 

"Another Day, Inc. provides Financial Management Services (FMS) to self-directing individuals enrolled in Kansas Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver programs.

Self-directing means that you (the person with disabilities) make decisions regarding your care rather than another agency/person. Another Day, Inc. helps by doing your Medicaid billing, tax filing, payroll, and worker set up on your behalf. 

Important Links:

• Another Day, Inc  Main Website  -- Main website for Another Day, Inc.

• KS Self-Directed Services  -- An overview of self-directed services in Kansas and the role of Another Day, Inc. in that relationship

GT Independence is a national agency that provides financial management services (FMS) to persons with disabilities who are self-directing their care. Like Another Day, Inc, this agency will allow you to choose your worker while taking care of all of the paperwork for you. 

Eligibility: 

• Must be enrolled in Kansas Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver programs.

Important Links: 

• GT Independence Main Website -- Main website for GT Independence

• Resources -- Resources from GT Independence include videos that may help you understand self-direction as it relates to disability services. 

Helpers, Inc is a local agency that provides financial management services (FMS) to persons with disabilities who are self-directing their care through the HCBS waivers. 

Eligibility:

• Enroll on their website for their services

• Enrolled in the Kansas Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver programs.

Important Links:

• Helpers, Inc Main Website -- Main website for Helpers, Inc

• Getting Started with Helpers, Inc  -- Gives an overview of what you need to get started and what services Helpers, Inc provides

Life Patterns, Inc. is a statewide (but not government) agency that provides financial management services (FMS) to persons with disabilities who are self-directing their care through the HCBS waivers. 

Eligibility: 

• Enroll on their website

• Enrolled in the Kansas Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver programs.

Important Links:

• Life Patterns, Inc. Main Website -- Main webpage for Life Patterns, Inc. where you can find general information about this agency

• Receive Services -- Links to forms/applications that you will need in order to receive services from Life Patterns, Inc. 

The Disability Rights Center of Kansas (DRC Kansas) is a private, non-profit agency that has attorneys and advocates who provide free advocacy and legal services for disability rights. 

The DRC Kansas website has links to articles, videos, and interactive materials that can better help you understand the rights that a person with disabilities is given in the state of Kansas. 

This is a resource website, in that there is no eligibility, enrollment, or approval needed to access its resources. 

Important Links:

• Disability Rights Center of Kansas Main Website -- Main website for DRC Kansas

• Resource Center -- Links to information on a wide range of disability topics such as special education, assistive technology, and guardianship

• Alternatives to Guardianship -- Provides information on alternatives to guardianship and conservatorship for persons with disabilities