Kentucky waiver waitlists: 19,076 people waiting statewide

Kentucky has newer numbers on how many people are waiting for a waiver. As of August 17, 2026, 19,076 people were on a waiver waiting list statewide. Nothing about services changed. This is a count.

What's changing

The Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) gave the legislature's Waiver Waitlist Management Subcommittee updated waitlist counts on August 26, 2026. The counts are as of August 17, 2026.

People waiting, by waiver:

• Michelle P. Waiver (MPW): 9,926
• Home and Community Based (HCB) waiver: 8,782
• Supports for Community Living (SCL): 3,884
• Acquired Brain Injury Long Term Care (ABI LTC): 11

Some people are on more than one list. Counting each person once, the statewide total is 19,076.

If you read earlier that ABI LTC had no waiting list, that is no longer the case. This update shows 11 people waiting.

The same update says 26 percent of the people on a waitlist already hold an active slot in another waiver.

Who it affects (and who it doesn't)

This matters to families who are on a Kentucky waiver waiting list, or who are thinking about joining one.

It does not change anything for people already getting waiver services. Their services are the same.

Key dates

There is no date to act on. This is an updated count, not a new rule.

What you can do

1. If you want to know where your family member stands on a waiting list, call the help desk below and ask.
2. Watch your mail for anything from the state about the waiting list, and open it right away.
3. Keep a copy of any waitlist letters you get.

DMS 1915(c) Waiver Help Desk: (844) 784-5614. DMS is the Department for Medicaid Services.