Mississippi Elderly and Disabled Waiver
The Elderly and Disabled Waiver pays for home and community-based care for people 21 and older who need a nursing facility level of care. For the wider picture, see our Mississippi Long-Term Care Medicaid guide.
Figures change periodically. Double-check current amounts before relying on them.
At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Type of program | Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) waiver |
| Who runs it | Mississippi Division of Medicaid, with Planning and Development Districts |
| Age | 21 and older |
| Care need | Needs a nursing facility level of care |
| Mississippi 2026 income rule (long-term care) | $2,982 a month |
| Mississippi 2026 asset limit (single applicant) | $4,000 |
| Waiting list | Yes |
The E&D Waiver in brief
Put simply, responsibility for the E&D Waiver sits with Mississippi Division of Medicaid, with Planning and Development Districts. Who it is for: 21 and older. Care need required: Needs a nursing facility level of care. On waiting lists, the current picture is: Yes. Each of these points is covered in more depth below, alongside the general Mississippi rules from our state guide. Families weighing the E&D Waiver against other Mississippi options can use the related pages at the end to compare programs side by side.
What the program is
Mississippi’s local Planning and Development Districts provide case management. A case manager uses the state’s long-term services and supports assessment to confirm the level of care, then writes a plan of service and arranges providers. The waiver can help people return home after a nursing facility stay as well as prevent a move.
A waiver is a program a state runs with federal permission to set aside some normal Medicaid rules so it can pay for long-term care outside a nursing home. Expect a cap on enrollment, a written plan of care, and a coordinator who lines up providers. Waiver services sit on top of regular Medicaid, which still covers doctors, hospitals and prescriptions (after Medicare, for people who have it). See our overview of HCBS waivers.
Who qualifies in 2026
A person generally must meet all of these conditions:
- Is 21 or older
- Needs a nursing facility level of care
- Qualifies for full Medicaid under Mississippi’s long-term care financial rules (see the money test below)
- Lives in Mississippi and is a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen
Financial eligibility. Applicants for the E&D Waiver must meet Mississippi’s long-term care Medicaid financial rules. Figures shown above are the 2026 Mississippi long-term care limits from our state guide. The home (up to the equity limit, when the person or a spouse lives there or plans to return), one vehicle, belongings and a small burial fund are generally not counted by Mississippi Medicaid. When one spouse applies for the E&D Waiver and the other stays at home, the spouse at home keeps a protected share of the couple’s assets and may receive part of the applicant’s income. See Spousal impoverishment rules.
What the care test means in practice. Mississippi Medicaid’s assessment covers daily activities, from bathing and dressing to toileting and medications, plus memory and safety. The visit is normally face to face, at home or in a hospital or facility. Before a the E&D Waiver assessment, it helps to line up a family member who can describe a typical bad day, and to have a list of diagnoses and medications ready. See Nursing home level of care and Activities of daily living.
What services it can pay for
Services depend on the person’s assessed needs and written care plan. Depending on the plan, they can include:
- Case management
- Personal care
- Adult day care
- Home-delivered meals
- Respite
- Extended home health
- Therapy
- Transition help
No program pays for everything. The E&D Waiver services are based on assessed need, and a family caregiver who is already helping is usually counted when the plan is written. A change in health is a reason to request a reassessment.
How to apply
Getting the E&D Waiver means passing a money test and a care test. Step by step:
- Contact your Planning and Development District.
- Assessment.
- Apply.
For the paperwork, use our documents checklist before applying for the E&D Waiver; Applying for a waiver explains the general process.
Waiting lists
The E&D Waiver has a set number of slots. When they are full, Mississippi places eligible applicants on a waiting list by application date, with some slots reserved for priority groups such as people leaving a nursing facility.
See Waiver waiting lists for general tips.
How it relates to nursing home Medicaid
The E&D Waiver uses the same nursing facility level of care, the 2026 income rule ($2,982 a month) and Mississippi’s $4,000 asset limit as nursing home Medicaid. Nursing home care has no waiting list.
Rules shared with nursing home Medicaid. Mississippi’s financial rules for the E&D Waiver track the nursing home rules closely. The five-year look-back for gifts generally applies, so a gift or transfer for less than fair value can cause a period when Medicaid will not pay for long-term care services. Mississippi Medicaid can also use estate recovery to seek repayment for long-term care services received after 55. Some participants pay a monthly share of income toward services.
If a nursing home becomes necessary. A Mississippi nursing home resident keeps a 2026 personal needs allowance of $44 a month, and most other income goes to the facility. The state guide explains the nursing home side.
Tips for families
- Begin before it is urgent. Every step of the E&D Waiver takes time, and an early request protects your place.
- Document everything, from forms and letters to who you spoke with at Mississippi Medicaid and when.
- Read every notice. If services are denied, cut or ended, the notice explains how to request a fair hearing and the deadline. Requesting one before the deadline often keeps services in place during the appeal.
- Report changes in income, assets, address or living situation to Mississippi Medicaid when they happen.
- Plan for renewals. Medicaid and the care assessment are both renewed, usually once a year. See Renewals.
- Think about the spouse at home. Couples have extra protections, but they have to be claimed. A certified Medicaid planner or a legal aid office can explain how the rules apply to a particular family.
Common questions
Does the E&D Waiver pay for assisted living? No. Mississippi has a separate Assisted Living Waiver.
Can family be paid? Self-direction is limited in Mississippi.
How long is the wait? It depends on slot availability.
Related pages
- Mississippi Long-Term Care Medicaid guide
- Mississippi Assisted Living Waiver
- Three kinds of Long-Term Care Medicaid
- PACE programs
Last updated for 2026. General information only, not legal or financial advice. Medicaid Answers is a free educational resource published by Medicaid Answers Foundation.