How can I make sure the transition to adulthood goes smoothly: Adult Services Action Plan

Action Plans > How can I make sure the transition to adulthood goes smoothly: Adult Services Action Plan

Adult Services Action Plan

Service systems become more complicated as youth enter adulthood. It is important to learn how to use these systems so that the exit from high school doesn’t feel like a “drop off” in support!

How To Get Started: To create a custom action plan for yourself or for someone you support:

Select items that you want added to your action plan.
Ignore any items that have already been done, or that are not relevant to you or the person you’re supporting.
After clicking “Submit,” you will see a summary of your selected items, which is your customized action plan.
This form will not be saved, however you will be able to print the summary, and if you provided an optional email address, the results will be emailed to you immediately.

Getting documents in order

Acquire a state identification card at the DMV.

Approximate Age: 16 | Who can help: Individual and/or Guardian

Resources: NC DMV: state IDs

Start a folder of your child’s important documents (Social Security Card, Birth Certificate, Diagnosis paperwork).

Approximate Age: 16 | Who can help: Family/Guardian

Approximate Age: 18 | Who can help: Individual and/or Guardian

Resources: How to register to vote How to register for selective service

Obtain an updated psychological evaluation and adaptive behavior assessment. Documentation of IDD or TBI is required to access adult IDD services.

Approximate Age: Within 2 years of applying to access adult services | Who can help: Family/Guardian, Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Navigating NC Medicaid

Establish residency in NC.

Approximate Age: N/A | Who can help: Individual and Guardian/Family

Resources: Info to apply for Medicaid

Apply for Medicaid. Consider submitting an appeal if denied.

Approximate Age: As early as possible | Who can help: Individual and Guardian/Family, NC Department of Health and Human Services

Resources: NC Medicaid

Contact your local managed care organization (MCO) to assess the child’s eligibility for services. If eligible, ensure the child is added to the Registry of Unmet Needs (also known as the “waitlist”) for the NC Medicaid Waiver.

Approximate Age: If eligible for the waiver, get on the registry of unmet needs as early as possible– infancy is not too young! | Who can help: Individual and Guardian/Family, MCO

Resources: NC DHHS IDD services LME MCO directory NC innovations waiver

Contact your local MCO to ask about eligibility for home and community services. Even if an individual is still on the registry of unmet needs, they may qualify for other services.

Approximate Age: Contact MCO at least once a year, starting at 14 (there are oftentimes updates in policies/services available) | Who can help: Individual and Family, MCO

Resources: Accessing IDD resources

If medically fragile/physically disabled, contact your local MCO to assess the child or adult’s eligibility for the Community Alternatives Program (CAP).

Approximate Age: As early as possible– children and adults may be eligible | Who can help: Individual and Guardian/Family, MCO

Resources: Community Alternatives Program

Care coordinators are assigned to help MCO clients and their families. If you do not know how to contact your assigned care coordinator, contact your MCO’s help line.

Approximate Age: As early as possible | Who can help: Individual and Guardian/Family, MCO

Resources: LME MCO directory

Become familiar with the difference between a Medicaid standard plan versus tailored plan, and in collaboration with your MCO, determine which option is most appropriate for your child. Most people with IDD will qualify for the tailored plan.

Approximate Age: Once enrolled in Medicaid | Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian, MCO

Resources: Comparison of NC Medicaid plans NC Medicaid plans What is care management?

If your child is (a) medicaid-eligible and (b) between the ages of 0-21, become familiar with the “Early Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment Medicaid Services for Children” (EPSDT) and ask your child’s case manager about it.

Approximate Age: As early as possible | Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian, MCO

Resources: NC Medicaid health check

Ask your care coordinator about whether your child is eligible for 1915(i) services, which includes supported employment, respite, and community living supports. Having the waiver is NOT required to receive these services!

Approximate Age: As early as possible | Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian, MCO

Resources: NC Medicaid 1915(i)1915(i) services

If your child does not have Medicaid, ask your managed care organization what services they may qualify for.

Approximate Age: As early as possible | Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian, MCO

Resources: NC DHHS service definitions

If the person is eligible for SSDI as a child (so, parent is retired, deceased, or disabled), the person will be eligible for Medicare and should learn how to navigate it. Medicare will be their primary healthcare funding, whereas Medicaid would be secondary.

Approximate Age: Circumstantial | Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian, Medicare help line

Resources: SSDI and Medicare

Navigating Social Security

Become familiar with SSI and the application process.

Approximate Age: 16 | Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian, Social Security Administration, Benefits Counseling Services

Resources: SSI

Become familiar with the benefits reductions that could happen if you get legally married OR live with a long term partner, due to income/resource limits.

Approximate Age: 16 | Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian, Social Security Administration, Benefits Counseling Services

Resources: Treatment of married couples

Find your Social Security Administration office by searching your zip code (linked in resource column).

Approximate Age: 17.5 | Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian

Resources: SSA office locator

Upon turning 18, SSI is based on the disabled individual’s income rather than the family income. So, apply or seek out a re-evaluation. *Be aware, an individual with more than 2000 in assets will be penalized (car and home are not counted).

Approximate Age: 18 | Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian, Social Security Administration, Benefits Counseling Services

Resources: SSA office locator SSI

Learn about resource/asset limits and consider opening an ABLE account. Seek out benefits counseling through ServiceSource or Vocational Rehabilitation.

Approximate Age: For the ABLE account, have to be diagnosed with a disability before the age of 26. An ABLE account or Special Needs Trust can be opened at any age. | Who can help: Family/Guardian, Benefits Counseling Services

Resources: What is an ABLE account?Cuentas ABLE

If the parent becomes deceased, disabled, or retired, it will impact the adult child’s benefits. “Disabled adult child” benefits will be triggered. Seek out benefits counseling to learn about what this will mean for your family. Additionally, notify your MCO care coordinator.

Approximate Age: When applicable | Who can help: Family/Guardian, Benefits Counseling Services

Resources: ServiceSource benefits counseling services NC DHHS work incentives and benefits counseling How to qualify for disability benefits

Learn about social security programs such as the Ticket to Work and Benefits Counseling and policies such as Work Incentives (i.e., Student Earned Income Exclusion).

Approximate Age: Age Limit to access Student Earned Income Income Exclusion is 22 | Who can help: Family/Guardian, Benefits Counseling Services

Resources: ServiceSource benefits counseling services NC DHHS work incentives and benefits counseling

If receiving multiple benefits from multiple funding streams (i.e., Medicaid AND SSI, SSI and Section 8), seek out benefits counseling and counseling from your SSI case manager to learn how these interact with each other and prevent losing your benefits.

Approximate Age: When applicable | Who can help: Family/Guardian, Benefits Counseling Services

Resources: ServiceSource benefits counseling services NC DHHS work incentives and benefits counseling

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Disclaimer: These action plans are for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be comprehensive, and should not be taken as legal advice. Services and programs mentioned may vary by county. Please consult with professionals with expertise in this topic area for guidance specific to you, your family or student/client’s situation. The “approximate age” listed with each item is a general recommendation for when to get started on an action item; however, everyone has a different timeline and for many of the items, it’s never too late to take action! Have a suggested correction or addition to this checklist? Email worktogethernc@med.unc.edu.