DODD vs Aging Waiver in Ohio: Which Program Do You Qualify For?

What is a Medicaid Waiver?

Medicaid waivers are programs that help pay for long-term care services at home or in the community instead of in a nursing facility. They "waive" certain Medicaid rules to allow funding for things like personal care, home modifications, and other supports that help people stay independent.

In Ohio, there are different types of waivers for different populations. Getting enrolled in the right one depends on understanding which system you qualify for. For a deeper look at how waivers work, see our guide: What is the HCBS Waiver Program?

DODD or AGE Waiver: Understanding the Difference

When you're looking for financial support for long-term care in Ohio, the hardest part often isn't deciding you need help. It's figuring out where to start. One of the most common places Ohioans get stuck is understanding which type of waiver they should even apply for.

There are two separate waiver systems that help pay for long-term care. One is for people with developmental disabilities (run by DODD). The other is for older adults or people with disabilities that began later in life (run through AGE, formerly DOA). The services might sound similar. The names can be confusing. And unless you already know the eligibility rules, it's easy to start in the wrong place.

DODD Eligibility: The Age 22 Rule

Here's the most important thing to understand about DODD (Ohio's Department of Developmental Disabilities) eligibility:

To qualify for DODD services, the disability must have originated before age 22 and be expected to continue indefinitely (1).

This is not about how old the person is now. It's not about how severe their current care needs are. It's not about whether they have a physical disability or need 24/7 support.

It's about when the disability began and whether it's developmental in nature.

What Qualifies for DODD Waivers?

People with conditions like cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, intellectual disability present from birth or early childhood, and other developmental disabilities documented before age 22.

What Does Not Qualify for DODD?

Conditions that started later in life. This includes dementia or Alzheimer's disease (even if diagnosed at 50), stroke or traumatic brain injury in adulthood, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and age-related cognitive or physical decline.

Even if someone's current needs look identical (maybe both people need help with daily living, memory support, or full-time care), the system they belong to is determined by when and how the disability began.

If the disability didn't start before age 22, you're likely looking at the aging or adult disability system, not DODD.

So if it didn't start before 22, where do you go?

Developmental Disability vs Aging Disability: Key Differences

DODD serves people with developmental disabilities. That's a defined category under Ohio law that includes conditions affecting intellectual or adaptive functioning that began early in life.

Ohio's aging waiver programs (like PASSPORT or MyCare Ohio, administered through the Ohio Department of Aging) serve older adults and people with disabilities acquired later in life due to aging, illness, or injury.

DODD Waivers vs AGE Waivers: What You Need to Know

DODD waivers: To qualify, the disability must have originated before age 22, be developmental in nature, and be expected to continue indefinitely. Examples include autism, intellectual disability, and cerebral palsy.

Aging waivers (AGE/DOA): To qualify, you typically need to be age 60 or older (or in some cases, adults with physical disabilities), meet nursing facility level of care, and need help staying safely at home (2). Examples of conditions include dementia, stroke, Parkinson's, and fall-related injuries.

The key difference isn't about how much help someone needs. It's about when and how the disability began.

Common Questions About DODD vs Aging Waivers

"My mom has advanced dementia and can't care for herself. Does she qualify for DODD?"

No. Dementia is an aging-related condition. She'd apply through her local Area Agency on Aging, not DODD.

"My brother had a stroke at 40 and now needs 24/7 care. Should I call the County Board of Developmental Disabilities?"

No. A stroke in adulthood is an acquired disability. He'd go through aging or adult disability services, not DODD.

"My adult son has autism and just turned 60. Do we have to switch to an aging waiver now?"

No. If he's already enrolled in DODD services, those continue. We'll talk more about age and DODD in the next section.

Short answer: If the disability is due to aging, illness, or injury after childhood, start with your Area Agency on Aging, not your County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

But what if someone is 65 and has a developmental disability?

Do You Have to Switch Waivers at Age 60?

One of the biggest myths we hear is this: "Once you turn 60, you have to switch from DODD to an aging waiver."

That's not true.

If someone qualifies for DODD services and is already enrolled, those services continue regardless of age. There is no automatic transfer or cutoff at 60, 65, or any other age.

Your Options After Age 60

Some people choose to explore aging waivers (like PASSPORT) if they meet nursing facility level of care and want different services or supports. There's no requirement to switch, but some families find aging waivers offer services that better fit their current needs. People can sometimes access both systems in specific situations, though this is rare and requires coordination.

What If You're Older and Never Enrolled in DODD?

If someone is now in their 60s or 70s and has a developmental disability but was never enrolled in DODD services earlier in life, it may still be possible to qualify. But only if there's documentation that the disability existed before age 22.

This might include early school records (IEPs, psychological evaluations), childhood medical records, or family history and documented developmental milestones.

Without that early documentation, it can be difficult to establish eligibility later in life, even if the disability clearly exists now.

Who Administers DODD and Aging Waivers in Ohio?

Here's where the confusion often starts: DODD waivers and aging waivers are run by completely different agencies. Calling the wrong one can delay help by weeks or even months. So it's worth knowing who does what before you pick up the phone.

DODD Waivers: County Boards of Developmental Disabilities

DODD waivers are administered by County Boards of Developmental Disabilities (CBDD). Every county in Ohio has a County Board of DD. They handle eligibility determination, service coordination, and waiver enrollment for people with developmental disabilities. Common DODD waivers include the Individual Options (IO) Waiver, Level One Waiver, and Self-Empowered Life Funding (SELF) Waiver.

Aging Waivers: Area Agencies on Aging

Aging waivers are administered by Area Agencies on Aging (AAA). These are regional agencies (not county-by-county). They coordinate aging services and Medicaid waiver programs for older adults and people with certain disabilities. Common programs include PASSPORT, Assisted Living Waiver, and MyCare Ohio.

These are separate systems. They don't share applications. They don't share waitlists. And they serve different populations based on eligibility criteria, not level of need.

Which Agency Should You Contact First?

Disability started before age 22 and is developmental in nature → County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Age 60 or older, or disability began after childhood → Area Agency on Aging

Find Your Local Agency in Ohio

County Boards of Developmental Disabilities: Find your County Board
Area Agencies on Aging: Find your Area Agency

Calling the right agency from the start can save you months of back-and-forth.

What If You're in a Gray Area?

Some situations don't fit neatly into one box or the other. If that's you, you're not alone. And you're not out of options.

Examples of gray areas include someone diagnosed with autism or intellectual disability at age 25, but family and medical history clearly show symptoms were present in childhood. Or an adult who is over 60, enrolled in DODD services, but also qualifies for aging supports and wants to explore both. Or families who were never connected to services early in life but now need help and believe a developmental disability was present (even if undiagnosed).

What to Do If Your Situation Is Unclear

Documentation matters. School records, early medical history, IEPs, and psychological evaluations can all help. Anything that shows early-life signs of a developmental disability can help establish eligibility, even if a formal diagnosis came later.

Some people work with both systems in limited cases. For example, someone on a DODD waiver who also qualifies for PASSPORT services. This requires care coordination but is possible in specific situations.

It's worth applying even if you're unsure. Eligibility is determined through a formal process that includes assessments, records review, and interviews. You don't have to be 100% certain before you apply.

How DODD and Aging Waivers Differ in Approach

DODD waivers are built around lifelong skill-building, community inclusion, independence, and person-centered planning. The goal is to support people with developmental disabilities to live full, integrated lives in their communities. Services are designed for people who have navigated disability systems their whole lives and may have unique communication, behavioral, or developmental support needs.

Aging waivers are built around aging in place, preventing nursing home placement, and maintaining safety and stability at home. The goal is to help older adults remain independent as they age and support people managing decline in function. Services are designed for people dealing with age-related changes, loss of function, or new diagnoses later in life.

The services might sound similar on paper (personal care, case management, home modifications, assistive technology), but the approach, training, and goals can be different. A direct support professional (DSP) working through DODD is often trained in developmental disabilities, behavior support, and communication strategies. A personal care aide working through an aging waiver may be focused on daily living assistance, fall prevention, and medical management.

Knowing which system you're in helps you set realistic expectations for what services will look like, how they're delivered, and what kind of support model you'll be working within.

How to Get Started With Ohio Medicaid Waivers

If you've made it this far, here's the simplest way to summarize everything.

The key question is: when did the disability begin?

Before age 22 and developmental in nature → County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Later in life, or age 60 or older → Area Agency on Aging

Don't let confusion delay help. Both systems exist to support people. And even if you call the "wrong door," most agencies will redirect you or help you figure out where to go next.

Resources for Ohio Medicaid Waivers

Need Help Figuring Out Which Waiver You Qualify For?

We can help you figure out your next step. Contact CareOasis to talk through your situation, clarify eligibility, and get pointed in the right direction before you spend months in the wrong system.

Citations:

(1) https://dodd.ohio.gov/your-family/daily-life-employment/resource-dodd-toolkit-dd-services-supports
(2) https://medicaid.ohio.gov/families-and-individuals/citizen-programs-and-initiatives/hcbs/hcbs-nursing-facility-waiver