EBD Waiver Colorado: How to Qualify and Get Started
If someone you love is getting older and needs more help at home, figuring out how to pay for that care can feel like a full-time job on top of everything else you are already managing. There are programs available in Colorado that can make a real difference, but the names are confusing, the paperwork is overwhelming, and it is hard to know where to start.
The EBD Waiver Colorado families rely on is one of the most important of those programs. It is designed to help elderly, blind, and disabled Coloradans get the support they need to stay at home and in their community, rather than moving into a nursing facility. If you are caring for an aging parent, or if you are a senior trying to understand your options, this guide walks you through what the EBD Waiver is, who qualifies, what it covers, and how to get the process started.
What Is the EBD Waiver in Colorado?
The EBD Waiver, short for the Elderly, Blind, and Disabled Waiver, is a Colorado Medicaid program that provides home and community based services to people who need a nursing facility level of care but want to remain living at home or in a community setting like an assisted living residence.
It is also known as the HCBS waiver, short for Home and Community Based Services Waiver for Persons who are Elderly, Blind and Disabled. The program is administered by the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing and funded through Colorado’s Medicaid program called Health First Colorado.
The core idea is straightforward: most people want to stay in their own homes as they age or manage a disability. Nursing home care is expensive and is not always what families want. The EBD Waiver bridges that gap by funding services that help people stay safely at home at a cost Medicaid covers.
Who Qualifies for the EBD Waiver in Colorado?
Eligibility for the EBD Waiver in Colorado is based on three criteria: level of care, eligibility group, and financial requirements. All three must be met. You must also be willing to receive services in your home or community.
Level of Care
To qualify, you must require long-term support services at a level comparable to services typically provided in a nursing facility. This does not mean you have to be in a nursing home. It means a formal evaluation has determined that you need that level of support to remain safely at home or in your community.
Eligibility Group
The EBD Waiver is open to Colorado residents who are 18 years or older. If you are between the ages of 18 and 64, you must be blind, have a physical disability, or have a diagnosis of HIV or AIDS. If you are 65 or older, you must have been determined to have a significant functional impairment. Adults who enroll in the Waiver before turning 65 can continue receiving services after their 65th birthday.
Financial Requirements
Your monthly income must be less than three times the current Federal Supplemental Security Income limit. For a single person, countable resources must be less than $2,000. For a couple, countable resources must be less than $3,000.
If you do not meet these financial requirements, you may still be eligible through the Health First Colorado Buy-In Program for Working Adults with Disabilities.
What Services Does the EBD Waiver Cover?
The EBD Waiver covers a range of supports designed to help people remain safe and comfortable outside of a nursing facility. The specific services a participant receives are determined by an individual care plan developed with their Case Management Agency (CMA).
Services currently available through the EBD Waiver include:
- Adult Day Services: structured programming and supervision during daytime hours in a community setting
- Respite Care: temporary relief for family caregivers from their caregiving responsibilities
- Home Accessibility Modifications: physical changes to the home such as grab bars, ramp installations, and widened doorways
- Non-Medical Transportation: help getting to medical appointments and community activities
- Alternative Care Facility Services: care in assisted living settings for those who cannot remain in a private home but do not require a full nursing facility
- Life Skills Training: support for managing daily routines more independently
- Wellness Education: guidance for managing health and wellbeing at home
What Changed in the EBD Waiver in 2025
Families should be aware that as of July 1, 2025, some services that were previously delivered through the EBD Waiver, including personal care, homemaker services, personal emergency response systems, and home-delivered meals, have moved to a new Medicaid program called Community First Choice, known as CFC. Current EBD Waiver participants are transitioning to CFC for those specific services at their next Continued Stay Review, which for most members falls between July 2025 and June 2026. EBD Waiver participants continue to access their other waiver services as before. If you or your family member is currently on the waiver, your Case Management Agency (CMA) will walk you through what this change means for your specific care plan.
How to Apply for the EBD Waiver in Colorado
The application process for the EBD Waiver in Colorado involves several steps and it is worth understanding what to expect before you begin.
Step 1: Confirm Health First Colorado Enrollment
The EBD Waiver is a Medicaid program so the applicant must first be enrolled in Health First Colorado, Colorado’s Medicaid program. If the person is not yet enrolled that is where the process begins. Enrollment can be started through PEAK, Colorado’s online benefits portal, or by calling the single entry point agency for your county.
Step 2: Contact Your Local Case Management Agency
In Colorado, access to adult EBD Waivers is coordinated through a Case Management Agency (CMA) based on the applicant’s county of residence. The CMA conducts the functional needs assessment, confirms the level of care determination, and helps coordinate the application and services. This is a free service and an essential part of the process.
Step 3: Complete the Functional Assessment
A representative from the Case Management Agency (CMA) will conduct an assessment to determine whether the applicant meets the Nursing Facility Level of Care requirement. This can be done in person or by phone. Families are encouraged to be thorough in describing the full picture of what the applicant needs help with since the assessment is the foundation for the care plan.
Step 4: Financial Eligibility Review
Income and asset eligibility are reviewed separately, typically through the local county department of human or social services. If there are any concerns about income or assets exceeding the limits this is a good point to seek guidance from a Medicaid planning professional.
Step 5: Care Plan Development
Once eligibility is confirmed the Case Management Agency (CMA) works with the participant and their family to develop an individual care plan that identifies the specific services to be provided, who will provide them, and how often.
Be Aware of EBD Waiver Wait Lists in Colorado
The EBD Waiver has limited enrollment slots and wait lists are common. Wait times can range from several months to over a year. Applying as early as possible is important and it is worth asking your Case Management Agency (CMA) about other Medicaid programs or supports that may be available while waiting for a waiver slot to open.
How Andrea’s Angels Helps Colorado Families Navigate the EBD Waiver
Navigating the EBD Waiver process is not always easy, even for families who are organized and resourceful. The terminology is technical, the eligibility rules have layers, and the coordination between state agencies, Case Management Agencies, and service providers can feel like a great deal to manage while also caring for a loved one.
Andrea’s Angels works with Colorado families to help make that process less overwhelming. Whether you are trying to understand whether a family member qualifies for the EBD Waiver in Colorado, figuring out where to start the application, or looking for home care services to complement what the waiver covers, our team can help you understand your options and take the next step.
Andrea’s Angels provides home care services to seniors and adults with disabilities across the Denver Metro, Boulder/Longmont, and Northern Colorado areas, and we have experience working alongside Case Management Agencies and other Medicaid programs to help families piece together the right combination of support. Our goal is not to replace the official process but to help your family move through it with more confidence and less confusion.
If you have questions about the EBD Waiver or want to talk through your family’s situation, contact Andrea’s Angels today to speak with someone who can help.
Frequently Asked Questions About the EBD Waiver in Colorado
What Services Does the EBD Waiver Cover?
Services available through the EBD Waiver include adult day services, respite care for family caregivers, home accessibility modifications, non-medical transportation, alternative care facility services, life skills training, and wellness education. As of July 1, 2025, personal care and homemaker services have moved to a separate program called Community First Choice.
What Is the Difference Between the EBD Waiver and the HCBS Waiver Colorado Offers?
The EBD Waiver is one specific program within the broader category of HCBS waivers. When people refer to the HCBS waiver Colorado seniors use for long-term care they are often referring to the EBD Waiver specifically since it is the primary HCBS waiver available to elderly and physically disabled adults in Colorado.
How Do I Start the EBD Waiver Application in Colorado?
The first step is confirming enrollment in Health First Colorado, Colorado’s Medicaid program. From there contact the Case Management Agency (CMA) serving your county to request a functional assessment and begin the application process.
Can Andrea’s Angels Help with the EBD Waiver Process?
Yes. Andrea’s Angels works with Colorado families to help them understand the EBD Waiver, navigate the application process, and connect with the right services. We provide home care services to seniors and adults with disabilities and have experience working alongside Medicaid programs and Case Management Agencies across Colorado. Contact us today and let our team help you take the next step.
