The Special Needs Guidance Group: Helping Families Navigate the Florida Medicaid Waiver
Scarlett Kibbey founded The Special Needs Guidance Group to help families impacted by disabilities navigate the often-overwhelming process of securing financial resources to help their loved ones thrive.
For Scarlett, this mission is personal. Despite having an Intellectual Disability, her Uncle Fred was able to live most of his life independently until he was diagnosed with Leukemia. At that point, the family was in crisis mode as Scarlett’s mother and aunt overnight had to figure out how to manage their family's new responsibilities, both emotionally and financially.
Fortunately, Scarlett's Uncle was able to receive a Medicaid Waiver, Medicaid, and Social Security. These benefits helped him procure proper treatment. Today his Leukemia is in remission, and he is living on a farm, his dream, and can afford the resources and support he needs.
Because of this experience, Scarlett dedicated her life to helping families impacted by disabilities through the complicated process of applying for and maintaining Medicaid Waivers, Social Security, Medicaid, and other government benefits.
What is a Medicaid Waiver?
The Florida Medicaid Waiver is government financial benefits for persons with any of the following conditions: Down Syndrome, Intellectual Disability, Spina Bifida, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Phelan McDermid Syndrome, Prader Willi Syndrome and High Risk for a developmental disability from ages 3 to 5. The Waiver is a lifelong needs-based, not income-based benefit and can also help recipients become eligible for Medicaid, a health-coverage benefit.
What Does the Medicaid Waiver Cover?
The Florida Medicaid Waiver covers a wide range of services, but the goal is to provide services that help disabled individuals live as independent a life as possible.
How Do I Apply?
Families have several options. For one, you can go directly to the Medicaid Waiver website and click on your state to begin the application process. Florida families can go directly to the Agency for Persons with Disabilities website and apply there. Applying can be complicated, and the waitlist can vary from 3 to up to 10 years based on where you live. However, to streamline the process, hiring an advocate, such as Scarlett, can help.
How Can the Special Needs Guidance Group Help?
Scarlett and her team understand the complexity of the application process. They have several options in helping families apply, which increases the chance of acquiring eligibility and expediting the receipt of benefits, maintaining the benefits budget, and receiving other benefits such as Medicaid.
Florida Medicaid Waiver Application and Instructions
For a nominal fee, clients can purchase The Special Needs Guidance Group's detailed application instructions. This detailed downloadable guide will walk families step-by-step through the application process.
Benefits of the Downloadable Instructions
The downloadable instructions give families the knowledge they need to apply for benefits themselves at an affordable price.
1:1 Medicaid Waiver Application Coaching
In 1:1 Application Consulting, Scarlett and her team personally walk clients through the complicated application process. The Special Needs Guidance Group represents clients from initial consultation, throughout the application process until they are put on the Florida Medicaid Waiver waitlist.
Benefits of 1:1 Application Coaching
Because of Scarlett and her team's extensive experience, they know the ins and outs of what the Agency of Persons with Disabilities (APD) requires to place a client on the waitlist. Furthermore, her team maintains close contact with the APD until the client begins receiving benefits.
Because a family's needs can change overnight, as hers did, Scarlett and her team work to get their clients on the waitlist as quickly as possible. If the family endures a hardship while on the waitlist, The Special Needs Guidance Group can help them access benefits through the Waiver Crisis Services.
Additionally, if families come to the Special Needs Group during the application process while currently experiencing hardship, her team will help them apply for the Waiver Crisis Services.
The Medicaid Wavier and Transitions
Scarlett says that once a client becomes eligible and receives benefits, there are critical transition periods where her team can come in and determine that the client continues to receive maximum benefits.
Before the Age of 21
Once a client begins receiving benefits, they are automatically eligible for Medicaid. However, at age 21, Medicaid stops covering many services. It is crucial to have the case reviewed, so the client doesn't experience a gap in those services.
After the Age of 22
At age 22, persons with disabilities age out of the public-school system. This is another period it is essential to review the client's Waiver budget to ensure they receive the maximum benefits they qualify for.
How to Contact the Special Needs Guidance Group
You can find the Special Needs Guidance Group at www.snggroup.org. Click the link for "Contact Us," and someone from their team will reach back out to you as soon as possible.
Scarlett's message to families is this, "There is hope, and there is help. The Medicaid Waiver is life-changing, not just for the child, but for the entire family." She and her team at the Special Needs Guidance Group are ready to become a part of your support system and help your family access benefits to help fill your family's needs now and well into the future.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us. You can contact Amy Nielsen via email at anielsen@collaborativecorner.org or on our website at www.collaborativecorner.org.
Amy Nielsen
Creator/Owner of Big Abilities Blog and Podcast
Panelist and Parent Advocate
anielsen@collaborativecorner.org