Independence Waiver
412-371-7700
The Independence Waiver is a Home and Community-Based waiver program that provides services to persons with physical disabilities to allow them to live in the community and remain as independent as possible.
Who is eligible?
Pennsylvania residents age 18 and older with a severe physical disability requiring a nursing facility level of care. The disability must result in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following major life activities: mobility, communication, self-care, self-direction, capacity for independent living, and learning.
- Age 18 and older
- Severe physical disability which is likely to continue indefinitely; results in substantial functional limitations in three or more major life activities
- Require nursing facility level of care
- Primary diagnosis not mental health or mental retardation
- Cannot be ventilator dependent
- Total countable resources for persons over the age of 21 must be $8,000 ($2,000 Medicaid limit that includes a $6,000 resource disregard) or less. Resources include, but are not limited to, cash on hand, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, life insurance and vehicles.
Services Available
- Assistive technology/specialized medical equipment and supplies
- Community integration services
- Community transition services
- Daily living services
- Education services
- Environmental adaptations
- Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS)
- Respite services
- Service coordination
- Therapies (behavior, occupational, physical, speech)
- Non-medical transportation services
- Visiting nurse
Contact Information
Consumers interested in applying for Independence Waiver services or providers interested in providing waiver services, please contact in Pittsburgh Three Rivers Center for Independent Living, 412-371-7700.