About DDS: Eligibility for DDS Services

To get services and supports from DDS, children and adults must be determined to be eligible in accordance with Department regulations (see 115 CMR 2.01 and 6.0.) Family-support centers can help families apply for DDS services and can provide information and referral to families who aren’t eligible yet.

Eligibility for DDS services will be determined through a regional eligibility team process. Descriptions of the eligibility criteria and eligibility regulations are available online at www.mass.gov/dds.

Individuals and families may apply at any time. DDS recommends that youth apply for adult supports when they are between 17 and 18 years old. This will allow maximum time to plan for adult services, which most often begin at age 22, and which is also when children’s supports end. The family must complete an application for adult services even if the individual is already eligible for children’s services.

Once a person is eligible, all planning and services are provided in coordination with the local DDS Area Office.

Eligibility criteria and applications for children and adults 

Eligibility for Children’s Supports: provided from birth to Age 22:

• 0 to 5 years: individuals have a substantial developmental delay, as determined by a qualified, licensed clinician.
• 5 to 22 years: individuals have an intellectual or closely related developmental disability, and result in substantial functional limitations, as determined by a qualified, licensed clinician and verified by DDS.

Eligibility for Adult Services Provided from Age 22:

There are two categories of adult eligibility:

1. People who are 22 years of age or older are eligible for intellectual disability supports if they:
   1. live in Massachusetts; and
   2. have intellectual disability as defined in 115 CMR 2.01: Definitions.
2. People who are 22 years of age or older are eligible for community developmental disability supports if they:
   1. live in Massachusetts as defined by 115 CMR 6.04; and
   2. have a developmental disability (autism spectrum disorder, Prader-Willi Syndrome, or Smith-Magenis Syndrome) as defined in 115 CMR 2.01: Definitions; and
   3. don’t have an intellectual disability as defined in 115 CMR 2.01: Definitions.
       

Steps in the DDS Eligibility Process

Getting Ready to Apply

Families can get DDS applications by contacting their family-support center or DDS Area Office, or looking online at mass.gov/dds-eligibility-services.

For help completing an application, families should contact their local family-support center or autism-support center.

All applications need copies of the following documents.

• birth certificate
• social security card
• health insurance card(s)
• proof of living in MA (for example, MA driver’s license, utility bill with name/ address)
• reports or assessments documenting diagnoses
• other evaluations you may have from early intervention, school IEP, psychologists, or doctors.

Submit your application as completely as you can. If anything is missing from your application, DDS eligibility specialists will let you know.
 

Eligibility Process

Intake Interview: Once the family submits the application and all the required paperwork, they’re contacted by an intake and eligibility specialist to set up an intake interview. This involves a face-to-face interview, which includes an assessment of the individual’s skills. DDS makes sure that interpreters and translated information are available so that they can communicate effectively with families. Family privacy and confidentiality are respected at all times.
 

Eligibility Determination

After the intake interview, all the materials and information are reviewed by the regional eligibility psychologist. The applicant or guardian is notified in writing of the eligibility determination, indicating whether the individual is eligible.

• If determined eligible, the individual and family are given information about their local Area Office and contact person.
• If determined ineligible, the individual and family receives information about the DDS appeal process.

If Found Eligible

• Connecting to a family or autism support center: Once found eligible for DDS services, individuals and families are sent a “Welcome to DDS Eligible Flier” with information about the family- and autism-support centers in their area, so that families can connect with a center to get services and supports. This flier is available in multiple languages.
• Connecting to a DDS Area Office: Once eligible for DDS services, individuals will also be assigned a DDS service coordinator from their Area Office. This person will be their primary contact at DDS. Families are able to contact the Area Office at any time to get help and to talk with their service coordinator.
• Individuals and families should use both their family-support services and DDS service coordinator to help them understand how different systems work, solve problems as they arise, and get services and supports through DDS and other resources.
   

DDS Intake and Eligibility Contacts

More information about the eligibility process, as well as the application forms, can be found on the DDS website.

Central/West Region

Address: 140 High St. 1st Floor, Springfield, MA 01105
Intake Line: [phone]
Fax Number: [phone]
eFax: [e-mail]

Northeast Region

Address: Hogan Regional Center, PO Box A, Hathorne, MA 01937
Intake Line: [phone] x850 
Fax Number: [phone]
eFax: [e-mail]

Metro Region

Address: 465 Waverley Oaks Road, Suite 120, Waltham, MA 02452
Intake Line: [phone]
Fax Number: [phone]
eFax: [e-mail]

Southeast Region

Address: 151 Campanelli Drive, Suite B, Middleboro, MA 02346
Intake Line: [phone]
Fax Number: [phone]
eFax: [e-mail]