Paying for Care
How to Qualify for APD Home Care Services in Florida
Florida's Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) funds home and community-based care for eligible people with developmental disabilities. This guide explains how to qualify and apply.
Quick Answer
To qualify for APD home care services in Florida, a person must have a qualifying developmental disability (such as autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, Down syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, or an intellectual disability) that began before age 18, be a Florida resident, and be eligible for Florida Medicaid. Eligible individuals apply to the Agency for Persons with Disabilities and, once enrolled, receive services through the Medicaid iBudget waiver.
Key Takeaways
- APD serves people with a **developmental disability that began before age 18**.
- Qualifying diagnoses include **autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, Down syndrome, and intellectual disability**.
- Applicants must be **Florida residents and Medicaid-eligible**.
- Services are funded through the **Medicaid iBudget waiver**; Focus Family Care helps you use them.
Who Qualifies for APD Services
The Agency for Persons with Disabilities serves Florida residents with a qualifying developmental disability that originated before age 18 and is expected to continue indefinitely. Qualifying conditions include autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, Down syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Phelan-McDermid syndrome, and intellectual disabilities. Applicants generally must also be eligible for Florida Medicaid.
How to Apply for APD
To apply, submit an application to the Agency for Persons with Disabilities with documentation of the disability (evaluations and records that establish the diagnosis and its onset before age 18). APD reviews eligibility and, once a person is enrolled, care is delivered through the Medicaid iBudget Florida waiver, which funds home and community-based services. Because demand can exceed funding, some applicants are placed on a waiting list.
How Focus Family Care Helps
Focus Family Care provides disability home care and works with families using APD and long-term care Medicaid to arrange in-home support. A coordinator helps you understand your funding and coordinates authorized care. Call (561) 693-1311 or get started.
How We Know This
Focus Family Care is a Florida-licensed home health agency and nurse registry (License NR #30211928, HHA #299995403) accredited by ACHC. Guidance on this page is reviewed by the agency's Director of Nursing, and coverage details are verified with each family's insurance before care begins.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I qualify for APD home care services in Florida?
You must be a Florida resident with a qualifying developmental disability (such as autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, Down syndrome, or an intellectual disability) that began before age 18, and be eligible for Florida Medicaid. You then apply to the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.
What conditions qualify for APD in Florida?
Qualifying conditions include autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, Down syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Phelan-McDermid syndrome, and intellectual disabilities, when the disability began before age 18.
How is APD home care funded?
APD services are funded through the Medicaid iBudget Florida waiver, which pays for home and community-based services. Focus Family Care helps eligible families use these benefits for in-home care.
Request Home Health Care Today
Focus Family Care starts care in as little as 24 hours. Call now or request an in-home assessment. We answer around the clock.
515 N Flagler Drive, Suite 350, West Palm Beach, FL 33401