A Medicaid waiver lets Medicaid pay for care and help at home for people who would otherwise need a nursing home, hospital or other facility. West Virginia has four of them. Each has its own rules, and you must qualify both medically and financially.
Not sure where to start? LiveAbility in Morgantown gives free help finding information and resources for people with disabilities; see the disability and aging page for how to reach them. You can only be on one waiver at a time, but you can apply for one while waiting on another (this rule is from the IDDW program site).
The local office for the money side
Three of the four waivers (ADW, IDDW and TBIW, in the cards below, from each program site) check whether you qualify financially through your county Department of Human Services office or, for ADW, Social Security. In Mon County, the office is on High Street.
Monongalia County Department of Human Services (DoHS) office
Anyone in Mon County applying for or asking about state help in person. It handles health coverage (Medicaid, WVCHIP for children, and Medicaid for long-term care) and help paying Medicare costs. It also handles food help (SNAP), heating bill help (LIEAP), emergency help, cash help for families (TANF), the school clothing allowance, and rides to medical visits. The office is at 114 South High Street, Morgantown. Open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 304-285-3175. You can also apply for most of these programs online at WV PATH.
Who it is for: Adults 18 and older who need the level of care a nursing home gives, based on an assessment by a nurse. It pays for care and help at home instead.
How to start:
Ask your doctor, physician assistant or nurse to fill out a Medical Necessity Evaluation Request (MNER) form.
They send it to Acentra Health, the company that reviews waiver requests for the state.
You must also qualify financially. Your county Department of Human Services office or Social Security decides this.
Who to call: Questions about applying: West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services, 1-866-767-1575.
Waiting: If no spot is open, you go on a wait list. The program says the whole process takes 56 days on average, and last year the average wait on the list was 44 days.
Who it is for: Children and adults, age 3 and up, with an intellectual disability or a similar condition that became severe before age 22. They must have trouble in at least three of six areas: self-care, language, learning, moving around, making decisions, and living alone.
How to start:
Fill out the application form on the program site.
Send it to Acentra Health by mail, fax or email (WVIDDWaiver@acentra.com).
Acentra sends you a list of psychologists. Pick one and send back your choice within 14 days, or the application is closed.
You must also qualify financially through your county office.
Children with Serious Emotional Disorder Waiver (CSEDW)
Who it is for: Children and young people ages 3 to 21 with serious mental, behavioral or emotional health needs, so they can get help while living at home instead of in a facility or group home.
How to start:
Call the 24-hour West Virginia children's crisis and referral line, 844-HELP4WV (844-435-7498).
Then send the application form to Acentra Health by mail, fax or email.
What a waiver is: West Virginia Bureau for Medical Services, checked October 30, 2026. We describe these programs; the state decides who qualifies. Rules can change, so check the program site or call before you apply. Something out of date? Tell us.