Most families assume a day program is an out-of-pocket expense they can’t afford — and never ask. The reality is that a large share of adults with disabilities in Pennsylvania qualify for funding. This checklist helps you find out where you stand in an afternoon.
The quick self-check
Answer these. The more “yes” answers, the more likely funding is available — and even one “yes” is worth a phone call.
1 Does the adult have an intellectual disability, autism, or a developmental disability documented before adulthood?
If yes, the ODP waivers (Consolidated, Community Living, P/FDS) are your likely path through the county ID/A office.
2 Does the adult have a severe physical disability such as cerebral palsy or epilepsy, and is between 18 and 59?
The OBRA waiver is built for exactly this group.
3 Is the adult 21+ and dual-eligible (Medicare + Medicaid), or do they need a nursing-home level of care?
Community HealthChoices (CHC) is the program to ask about.
4 Is the adult a veteran, or the surviving spouse of one?
VA benefits may cover adult day care — a separate and often-overlooked route.
5 Is the adult already on Medicaid for anything else?
That usually means the financial side is largely handled and you’re mostly establishing the level-of-care need.
What “eligible” actually rests on
Two doors have to open, and both are routine:
- Financial eligibility — generally Medicaid eligibility, assessed for the individual.
- Level-of-care / needs eligibility — an assessment showing the person needs the kind of support the waiver funds.
You don’t self-certify either one. An intake worker and a coordinator walk you through both. For the specific waiver landscape, our companion guide breaks down which PA waivers cover an adult day program.
Your afternoon plan
Three calls and you’ll know where you stand
- Call the right office based on your strongest “yes” above (county ID/A office, CHC enrollment broker, Area Agency on Aging, or VA).
- Ask one sentence: “I’d like to find out if my [relative] is eligible for waiver-funded adult day services.” That sentence starts the assessment.
- Call us. Our eligibility team helps you complete enrollment and, once approved, get a start date. If you’re a veteran family, start on the VA-supported programs page instead.
The worst outcome isn’t being told “no.” It’s never asking and paying out of pocket — or going without — for years when help was available.
When you’re ready to see what the program itself looks like, the day programs for adults with disabilities in Philadelphia overview and our intellectual disabilities program page show the day-to-day.
Find out if you qualify — it’s a free phone call
We help Philadelphia families figure out funding every week. Bring us your situation and we’ll point you to the right door.
Schedule a Free TourA note on accuracy: Waiver names, eligibility rules, and limits change over time and final eligibility is determined by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, your county, and your assigned Supports Coordinator or Service Coordinator — not by Penn Village. This guide is general information, current as of 2026, and not a benefits determination. Always confirm specifics with your coordinator or county office.
Related reading & resources
