Programs that pay all or a portion of the costs associated with purchasing, leasing or otherwise acquiring assistive technology equipment. Included are programs that pay for needed assistive technology products outright and those that provide or arrange for interest-free, low-interest or market rate loans to finance the lease/purchase.

A program administered by the county that provides financial assistance which enables people who are aged, blind or have a disability, are limited in their ability to care for themselves and cannot live safely at home without assistance to obtain homemakers or chore workers to help them in their homes. To be eligible, recipients must meet income and resource guidelines which in some states are tied to Supplemental Security Income (SSI/SSP) eligibility. People who receive SSI/SSP automatically meet the program's financial need requirement. Those whose income is higher than the limits for SSI/SSP may still be eligible, but may be required to pay for part of the services they receive. In addition to the monthly income limits, there are also limits on the amount of resources a person can own and still receive these benefits. Resources include items such as savings, investments, and certain types of property and personal possessions. Eligibility requirements vary by state as do the types of services that can be authorized.

Programs that cover all or a portion of the cost of respite care in the home or in community settings/facilities in situations where family members, guardians or others who are the regular caregivers for dependent adults or children with disabilities need a brief period of rest or relief from their care giving responsibilities. Families generally select their own provider, negotiate their own rates and set their own schedules.

Programs that support the purchase of case management and other home and community based services as a means of helping people avoid premature institutionalization. Funding is usually through state and local resources, but may also include some federal dollars. The programs typically provide case management and, unless other funding sources are available, provide funding for and link program participants to existing home and community based services, home modification programs, assistive technology equipment, assisted living facilities or other supported housing options, and/or other needed services. Individuals must meet certain eligibility criteria as specified by the program and usually must have documentation from a physician stating that they are at risk for institutionalization.

Programs that are designed to assist individuals residing in intermediate care facilities for people with developmental disabilities (ICF/DD) to return to the community to live in a less restrictive setting. ICF/DD facilities are institutions that furnish health and rehabilitative services to people with developmental disabilities or related conditions in a protected, residential setting. Some transition programs are funded using Medicaid and therefore require that eligible participants be Medicaid recipients. Other programs have been created using state or local funds. The programs typically provide case management and, unless other funding sources are available, provide funding for and link program participants to existing home and community based services, home modification programs, assistive technology equipment, assisted living facilities or other supported housing options and/or other needed services.

A combined federal and state program administered by the state that provides medical benefits for individuals and families with limited incomes who fit into an eligibility group that is recognized by federal and state law. Each state sets its own guidelines regarding eligibility and services within parameters established at the federal level. Many people are covered by Medicaid, though within these groups, certain additional requirements must be met. Eligibility factors include people's age, whether they are pregnant, have a disability, are blind, or aged; their income and resources (like bank accounts, real property or other items that can be sold for cash); and whether they are U.S. citizens or lawfully admitted immigrants. Families who are receiving benefits through TANF and individuals who receive SSI as aged, blind and disabled are categorically eligible groups. The rules for counting a person's income and resources vary from state to state and from group to group. There are special rules for those who live in nursing homes, for people served under the Medicaid Waiver program, for people served by Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) programs and for children with disabilities living at home. Medicaid makes payments directly to a person's health care provider; and some recipients may be asked to pay a small part of the cost (co-payment) for some medical services. Most states have additional "state-only" programs to provide medical assistance for specified low-income persons who do not qualify for the Medicaid program.

County or state offices that accept applications and determine eligibility for the Medicaid program; and reinstate individuals who have lost their Medicaid benefits due to incarceration, institutionalization, noncompliance or other reasons. Also included are other programs that help people prepare and file Medicaid applications and/or are authorized to do eligibility determinations for the program.

Medicaid programs offered by states that have been authorized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to waive certain Medicaid statutory requirements giving them more flexibility in Medicaid program operation. Included are home and community care based (HCBC) waiver programs operated under Section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act that allow long-term care services to be delivered in community settings; managed care/freedom of choice waiver programs operated under Section 1915(b) of the Social Security Act which allow states to implement managed care delivery systems or otherwise limit individuals' choice of provider under Medicaid; and research and demonstration project waiver programs operated under Section 1115 of the Social Security Act to projects that test policy innovations likely to further the objectives of the Medicaid program. Each of the states has developed waivers to meet their needs; and while every state's waiver programs have their own unique characteristics, there may also be common threads.