What is the Texas HCS Interest List?

If you are a Texas resident who is interested in receiving home and community-based services (HCS), then you need to be on the Texas HCS Interest List. This is a list of residents who have expressed an interest in receiving HCS. Being on this list will help ensure you receive information about upcoming opportunities to enroll in the HCS program. In this article, we will discuss what the Texas HCS Interest List is and how to join it.

Key Takeaways

• The Texas HCS Interest List is a list of residents who have expressed an interest in receiving home and community-based services through the HCS program.
• To join the Interest List, contact your Local Intellectual Developmental Disability Authority (LIDDA). 
• The Texas HCS Interest List is notoriously long, so it is critical that you get your child or loved one on as soon as possible.
• Being on this list will help ensure you receive information about upcoming opportunities to enroll in the HCS program.

What is the Texas Home and Community-based (HCS) Services program?

The Texas Home and Community-based (HCS) Services program is a Medicaid Waiver program administered by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services that provides services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The HCS program offers individuals with IDD (Intellectual Developmental Disability) the opportunity to receive services in their own homes and communities rather than in institutions. In addition, HCS recipients receive a person-centered service plan designed to meet their unique needs and preferences. The goal of the HCS program is to help participants live as independently as possible.

Medicaid waivers are a pathway to receiving assistance for your loved one with an intellectual or developmental disability. If you haven’t already, we recommend you consider adding your child to the waiver interest list(s), also known as “waiting lists,” which many parents use. Even if your loved one does not require services at this time, it is critical that they be added to the interest list for any program(s) that may meet their needs in the future. You might have to wait a long time before receiving services under the HCS program. You can always refuse the services later once your loved one reaches the top of the list.

What is the Texas HCS Interest List?

The Texas HCS Interest List is a list of residents who have expressed an interest in receiving home and community-based services through the HCS program. To join the Interest List, contact your Local Intellectual Developmental Disability Authority (LIDDA). You can find your LIDDA’s contact information here or use the map below.

How long will I be on the Texas HCS Interest List?

Unfortunately, the Texas HCS Interest List is notoriously long, so it is critical that you get your child or loved one on as soon as possible. The majority of parents express regret for not joining the waiver interest lists when their child was born or initially diagnosed, as some have been on the interest list for as long as 15 years. As of this writing, there are 108,773 individuals on the HCS Interest List in the state of Texas, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

What are the benefits of joining the Texas HCS Interest List?

There are numerous benefits to joining the Texas HCS Interest List, including:

• You will be contacted when there are opportunities to enroll in the HCS program
• You will receive information about upcoming events and trainings related to the HCS program
• You will have access to resources and support from other families on the Interest List

What can I do to reduce the time my loved one spends on the Interest List?

There are a few things you can do to reduce the time your loved one spends on the HCS Interest List:

Stay in contact with your LIDDA

Your contact at your LIDDA (Local Intellectual Developmental Disability Authority) is your best resource for updates on the status of the Interest List and your loved one’s place on it. Be sure to stay in touch with them and let them know if you have any changes in contact information or your loved one’s situation.

Advocate for more funding for the HCS program

The HCS program is funded by the state of Texas. You can advocate for more funding for the program by contacting your state representatives and telling them about the importance of the HCS program.

Join a support group

There are numerous support groups for families on the HCS Interest List. These groups can provide you with information, resources, and emotional support. You can find a list of support groups here.

Contact your state representative

If you want to advocate for a loved one on the interest list, your state representative is a great resource. reach out to their offices and tell them your story. You can find contact information for your state representative here.

What if my child or loved one has an urgent need for services?

If your child or loved one has an urgent need for services, you can contact your LIDDA to request a crisis diversion slot. Crisis diversion slots are reserved for cases in which an individual’s health or safety is at risk, or if a change in circumstances puts them at risk of institutionalization. Crisis diversion allows them to instead be placed in a community based setting, such as assisted living group homes or in a host home/companion care setting.

You can find more information about the protocols for HCS crisis diversion slots here.

What are some scenarios in which an HCS crisis diversion slot is granted?

Some scenarios in which an HCS crisis diversion slot is granted include:

• An individual’s health is at risk due to a lack of access to necessary services
• An individual is at risk of being placed in a nursing home or other institution
• A change in circumstances has put an individual’s health or welfare at risk (i.e. loss of a parent or guardian)

If you believe your child or loved one meets the criteria for a crisis diversion slot, you should contact your LIDDA as soon as possible. Crisis diversion slots are granted on a first-come, first-served basis, so it is important to act quickly.

What happens after my loved one is enrolled in the HCS program?

After your loved one is enrolled in the HCS program, they will be assigned a case manager. The case manager will work with you and your loved one to develop an individual service plan (ISP). The ISP is a document that outlines the services and supports your loved one will receive through the HCS program.

The case manager will also provide a list of HCS providers in your area. HCS providers are organizations that have been approved by the state of Texas to provide services and supports to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. You will then be able to choose which HCS provider you would like your loved one to receive services from. You can learn more about the process of choosing an HCS provider here.

Other FAQs about the Texas HCS program

Here are some other frequently asked questions about the Texas HCS program:

How do I know if my loved one is eligible for the HCS program?

Individuals with an intellectual and/or developmental disability are eligible for the HCS program if they meet all of the following criteria:

• They must be a Texas resident
• They must have a diagnosis of an intellectual or developmental disability
• They must need support in order to live safely in the community
• They must be eligible for Medicaid

You can find more information about HCS eligibility here.

What services and supports are available through the HCS program?

Some of the services and supports that are available through the HCS program include:

• case management
• respite care
• therapy services
• day habilitation
• supported employment
• individual and family support services
• assisted living group homes

How do I apply for the HCS program?

The first step in applying for the HCS program is to contact your Local Intellectual Developmental Disability Authority (LIDDA). You’ll be added to the HCS interest list, and you’ll be contacted when a slot in the program becomes available.

I still have more questions about the HCS program. Who can I contact?

If you have any other questions about the HCS program, you can contact the Texas Department of Health and Human Services by dialing 2-1-1, or calling them directly at 877-541-7905. You can also contact your LIDDA. You can also contact us here at Above and Beyond Caring if you are in the Brazoria or Galveston County areas at (979) 202-0055.

How long does it take to get approved for the HCS program?

The length of time it takes to get approved for the HCS program varies; however, the average wait time is between five to seven years.

What are some alternatives to the HCS program?

If the HCS program is not the right fit for your loved one, there are other options available. Some other programs that provide services and supports to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities include:

• The Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS) program
• The Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities (DBMD) program
• The Medically Dependent Children’s Program (MDCP)
• The Texas Home Living (TxHmL) program

You can learn more about these programs here or by contacting your Local Intellectual Developmental Disability Authority (LIDDA).

Final Thoughts on the Texas HCS Interest List

The Texas HCS interest list is a waiting list for the Home and Community-based Services (HCS) program. The HCS program is a Medicaid waiver program that provides services and supports to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

If you have a loved one with an intellectual or developmental disability, it’s important to know that there are programs and services available to help them live safely in the community. The HCS program is one of those programs. No matter what program you choose, it is important to make sure that your loved one is getting the services and supports they need to live safely in the community. If you have any questions, you can contact us here at Above and Beyond Caring, or your Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authority.

About Above and Beyond Caring

Above and Beyond Caring is a Texas HCS provider that has been providing services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Brazoria and Galveston Counties since 2007. We are dedicated to providing quality services that promote independence, community involvement, and self-advocacy for our clients. Contact us today at (979) 202-0055 to learn more about our services.