OBRA Waiver

OBRA Waiver is program that provides services to people with developmental 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 developmental physical disability requiring an Intermediate Care Facility / Other Related Conditions (ICF/ORC) 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.

Other related conditions (ORCs) include physical, sensory, or neurological disabilities which manifested before age 22, are likely to continue indefinitely, and result in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity: capacity for independent living, mobility, self-direction, learning, understanding and use of language, and self-care.

A limited number of individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis can be served under the OBRA Waiver.

Additional Eligibility Requirements may apply.

To be eligible for OBRA Waiver individuals must:

• Possess income and resources within limits established in the Medicaid Waiver programs.
• Have a disability that is likely to continue indefinitely and results in three or more substantial functional limitations in major life activities.
• Be a citizen of the United States or immigrant lawfully admitted for permanent residence.
• Be a resident of Pennsylvania
• Must have an other related condition that occurred before the age of 22 and be age 18 or over.
• Cannot have mental retardation or a major mental disorder as a primary diagnosis.
• Requires services at the level of an intermediate care facility for persons with an other related condition (ICF-ORC).

Services available may include:

• Adult day services
• 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)
• Prevocational services
• Respite services
• Service coordination
• Support employment services
• Therapies (behavior, occupational, physical, speech)
• Transportation services
• Visiting nurse

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