Parent Question

Is it true that you need to be denied by Medi-Cal before you can apply for the Regional Center waiver?

Published: Feb. 25, 2025

For the Regional Center waiver, one of the elements of eligibility for a child is that they don't qualify for Medi-Cal with no share of cost based on financial need. The criteria is a little different for adults. For a child, a lot of services are available under regular Medi-Cal, and it comes with an additional package of benefits that you don't get for adults. So for the Regional Center waiver, part of the application process is to have a denial from Medi-Cal on the basis of income. If you qualify on the basis of income, then you don't need the waiver. Now, that does not mean that you can't apply for Regional Center services without getting Medi-Cal; that's totally separate. But for the waiver, you do need to be ineligible based on financial need.

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