Individual Options (IO) Waiver
What is the Individual Option (IO) Waiver in Ohio?
The IO Waiver gives you the choice to control your own services using participant-direction. Participant-direction allows you to remain in your own home and community—and get the support you need.
With IO, you get a comprehensive choice of many different services included in your plan. This can be helpful if you need a lot of support. (If you only need a little support, look into the Level 1 Waiver.) You can choose the services that fit best with your needs and life. You can also hire people you trust to provide your support—even friends and family. If you want, you can choose a representative to handle everything for you.
The goal is for you to decide how and where you’re supported. And who delivers that support.
Programs in the Individual Options (IO) Waiver
Homemaker and Personal Care Services
Homemaker and Personal Care Services is a waiver program that helps Ohioans like you control your own care and support with participant direction. This gives you the freedom to choose the support that best fits you and your life.
This program has two different models you can enroll in: Homemaker/Personal Care and Participant-Directed Homemaker/Personal Care.
Self-Directed Transportation
In Ohio, you have several choices for transportation services, including ground transportation and mileage reimbursement. This gives you access to transportation services so you can go out into the community whenever you like.
Eligibility and Services for the IO Waiver
Who the IO Waiver Serves
People of any age with developmental disabilities who:
- Are eligible for Medicaid
- Need at least one IO waiver service
- Need a level of care equivalent to an intermediate care facility
With the IO Waiver, You Can…
- Hire people you know and trust to provide support, including friends and family
- Be in charge of your budget
- Decide when and where you should get support
- Choose what services you need
- Train your own support providers
- Decide on pay for your support providers
- Create schedules and sign off on time sheets
- Choose a representative to handle things for you
How GT Independence Supports You
At GT Independence, we believe you should be able to live life on your own terms. As a family-owned and disability-led financial management service (FMS), we’ve sat on your side of the table. And our goal is to make it easy and convenient for you to control who delivers your support and how that support is delivered.
As your advocates for participant-direction, we’re here to help you live the life you choose. We do this by:
- An online portal with easy-to-read monthly budget reports
- A simple e-enrollment process for employees
- An app to track time and submit timesheets
- An online caregiver directory
- Dedicated support specialists who understand you and your program
- Tax specialists on hand to file your taxes for you
- More than 15 years supporting families
- CARF accredited fiscal employer agent (FEA)
Helpful Forms for Ohio
View select forms on the Ohio forms page. To view all forms, sign into your portal account and visit the resources tab.
Don’t have access to a portal account? Get in Touch
Helpful Resources and Flyers for Ohio
See a comprensive list of resources and flyers relevent to Ohio.
Want to get started?
Have questions about managing your own services with IO? Contact our Ohio support specialists to learn how to get started.
Call: 1.877.659.4500
Email: customerservice@gtsd.org