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Supported Living Services Waiver (SLS)

The Home and Community-Based Supported Living Services (HCBS-SLS) waiver serves adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. A waiver is an extra set of Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid program) benefits that you could qualify for in certain cases. These benefits can help you remain in your home and community. Waivers have extra program rules and some programs may have waitlists.

The Supported Living Services (SLS) waiver provides necessary services and supports for individuals with adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities so they can remain in their homes and communities with minimal impact to individuals' community and social supports. The SLS waiver promotes individual choice and decision-making through the individualized planning process and the tailoring of services and supports to address prioritized, unmet needs. In addition, this waiver is designed to supplement existing natural supports and traditional community resources with targeted and cost-effective services and supports.

The person receiving services is responsible for his or her living arrangements which can include living with family or in their own home. Up to three persons receiving services can live together. Participants on this waiver do not require twenty-four (24) hour supervision on a continuous basis for services and supports offered on this waiver.

Individuals who receive services through the SLS waiver are also eligible for all Health First Colorado covered services as long as they are not duplicative.

View the full text of the SLS waiver and Waiver Lifecycle

Who Qualifies?

To enroll in the HCBS-SLS waiver the individual must meet financial and program criteria:

  • Level of Care
    • Individuals must meet Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF-IID) level of care as determined by the functional needs assessment (as defined in 42 CFR § 440.150)
       
  • Eligibility Group
    • Individuals must be determined by a Case Management Agency to have a developmental disability
    • Individuals must be 18 years or older
       
  • Financial
    • Your income must be less than three times the current Federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) limit per month. (See SSI website for current information)
    • For a single person, their countable resources must be less than $2,000 and for a couple it must be less than $3,000.
    • If you do not meet these financial requirements, you may be eligible through the Health First Colorado Buy-In Program for Working Adults with Disabilities.

 

SLS Waiver Services

CFC Benefits and Services

Community First Choice (CFC) benefits and services support Health First Colorado members who need long-term care to live at home and in their communities. CFC is not a waiver. It’s a Health First Colorado benefit program designed to work in conjunction with waiver services for members who need long-term care and qualify for these services.

Current waiver members will transition to CFC for these services at the time of their scheduled Continued Stay Review between 7/1/2025-6/30/2026. Services will be provided through waivers until the member transitions to CFC. 

How to Apply

If you have additional questions about this waiver, please contact your local Case Management Agency or the Member Contact Center.

Useful Links

Websites

Documents and Memos