AHRC New York City

SERVICES -ELIGIBILITY

In general, services may beprovided to eligible individuals with documented developmental disabilities (or delays in the case of children) of all ages and their families including individuals with multiple disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, medical fragile individuals, and those with other disabilities that result in impaired intellectual and adaptive functioning. Services are also available to individuals with traumatic brain injuries. Limited select services are open to individuals with dual diagnoses and disadvantaged youth.

Each service and support has its own eligibility requirements. Services and supports for children from birth through age three are dictated by the New York City Department of Mental Health and Alcoholism Services. Most services for children from three through age 21 are prescribed by the New York City Department of Education and the NYS Education Department. Most services for adults are under the auspices of New York State Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and are paid for by some form of Medicaid or the Medicaid Waiver. Download important facts regarding eligibility for OPWDD Services here. If you or your family member does not have Medicaid, we can provide you with direction on how to apply. (Also note that Medicaid eligibility for children does NOT necessarily have anything to do with family income – in other words children may be eligible even if family income is high.) A number of other government agencies that fund specific services have mandated their own eligibility criteria and we can provide you with information regarding these.

Eligibility requirements are complicated, may seem difficult to understand and can be overwhelming to many individuals needing services and their families. AHRC will assist you with determining your eligibility once you have decided what services are of interest to you.

In most cases documentation of a developmental disability or delay is required therefore individuals will need up-to-date psychological evaluations, psychosocial evaluations and medicals. We can assist in arranging for such evaluations or obtaining copies of past evaluations from other services providers.

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