NHTD Waiver in Queens, NY: How to Access Home and Community-Based Care in 2026

For Queens residents with physical disabilities or traumatic brain injuries, the Nursing Home Transition and Diversion (NHTD) Waiver is one of the most valuable — and least known — programs in New York State.

The NHTD Waiver allows individuals who would otherwise require nursing home care to receive support services at home, in the community, and in the setting of their choice. In a borough as dense and diverse as Queens, this program can be the difference between living independently and losing that independence entirely.

Who Qualifies for the NHTD Waiver in Queens

The NHTD Waiver is available to New York State Medicaid recipients who meet the following criteria:

• Age: 18–64 with a physical disability, OR 65+ with a physical disability
• Medical need: Requires nursing home level of care (documented by physician)
• Living situation: Currently living in the community OR transitioning from a nursing facility
• Medicaid: Must be enrolled in NY Medicaid (not Medicaid managed care / MLTC)
• Functional status: Assessed by a Regional Resource Development Center (RRDC)

Queens residents are served through the New York City RRDC based in Manhattan. The assessment process involves a home visit and functional evaluation.

What the NHTD Waiver Covers in Queens

Once approved, the NHTD Waiver covers a comprehensive set of community-based services:

Habilitation Services — Support with daily living skills, community integration, and maintaining independence
Community Integration Counseling — Individual counseling to support the transition to independent community living
Home and Community Support Services — Personal assistance in the home for activities of daily living
Respiratory Therapy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy — Skilled therapeutic services provided at home or in outpatient settings in Queens
Transportation — Medicaid-covered transportation to medical appointments, therapy, and community activities
Environmental Modifications — Home modifications such as grab bars, ramp installation, or accessible bathroom upgrades in your Queens residence
Assistive Technology — Wheelchairs, communication devices, adaptive equipment
Moving Assistance — Funding to help individuals transition from a nursing facility back to Queens

How to Apply for NHTD in Queens: Step-by-Step

A note before you start: New York State is currently not accepting most new referrals to the NHTD waiver. Limited openings are released through the Regional Resource Development Centers (RRDCs), so the NYC RRDC is the place to get on track. If you are already on the NHTD waiver, you can choose or switch your provider.

Step 1: Confirm Medicaid Enrollment
You must be enrolled in New York State Medicaid (fee-for-service) — not a Medicaid Managed Care plan. If you are in a managed care plan, contact NY Medicaid Choice at 1-888-401-6582 to discuss your options.
Step 2: Contact the NYC Regional Resource Development Center
The RRDC covering Queens conducts the initial intake and assessment and can tell you whether openings are available. Call the NYC RRDC to ask about an NHTD Waiver evaluation. They will schedule a home visit and functional assessment.
Step 3: Choose an NHTD Waiver Service Coordinator
Once your application is received, you will work with a Service Coordinator who helps develop your Individualized Service Plan (ISP). This coordinator is your primary guide through the entire process.
Step 4: Complete the Assessment
A RRDC assessor will evaluate your functional needs and confirm nursing home level of care. This is the key eligibility determination.
Step 5: Develop Your Individualized Service Plan
Working with your Service Coordinator, you will identify the specific services you need and which providers in Queens will deliver them.
Step 6: Services Begin
Once your ISP is approved, your selected providers begin delivering services.

How Long Does NHTD Approval Take in Queens?

Timing depends first on whether an opening is available. New York State is currently not accepting most new NHTD referrals, and limited openings are released through the RRDCs, so the NYC RRDC is the best source for where your application stands. Once an opening is available, the process can take longer if:

• Medicaid enrollment needs to be updated
• Medical documentation is incomplete
• There are capacity constraints at the NYC RRDC

Having your Medicaid and medical documentation ready ahead of time helps avoid preventable delays.

Priority Cares Home Services — NHTD Waiver in Queens

Priority Cares Home Services is a NYS DOH-approved NHTD and TBI waiver provider in New York City, including Queens.

Our waiver services are:

• Service Coordination
• Independent Living Skills Training (ILST)
• Community Integration Counseling (CIC)
• Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)

If you or your loved one is already on the NHTD waiver, you can choose or switch your provider. For new clients, we can check TBI waiver eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions — NHTD in Queens

Can I receive NHTD services while living in an apartment in Queens?
Yes. The NHTD Waiver is specifically designed for community-based settings. Any Queens residence — apartment, family home, or supported living arrangement — qualifies.
What if I am currently in a nursing facility in Queens?
The NHTD Waiver has a “transition” track specifically for individuals moving from a nursing facility back to the community. Because new referrals are currently limited, ask the facility social worker to contact the NYC RRDC early about openings.
Does the NHTD Waiver cover 24-hour care?
The NHTD Waiver covers a range of scheduled services but is not designed to replace round-the-clock nursing home care. Service hours are based on your individual assessed needs.
Is the NHTD Waiver the same as MLTC?
No. The NHTD Waiver is a separate program for individuals with physical disabilities (18+), and it covers more than personal care — service coordination, home modifications like ramps and grab bars, assistive technology, and community integration support. MLTC (Managed Long-Term Care) is primarily for seniors 65+ and is structured around ongoing managed care. Many people qualify for one and not the other, so an assessment is the fastest way to know where you fit.

Get Started with NHTD in Queens

If you or a family member in Queens may qualify for the NHTD Waiver, the first step is confirming Medicaid enrollment and contacting the NYC RRDC, which can tell you whether openings are available.

How Priority Cares can help: Beyond the waiver services above, we don’t send home care aides in Queens, but we’ll connect you with a licensed home care agency and walk you through Medicaid and MLTC. Call (718) 400-6166.

Contact Priority Cares: (718) 400-6166 | admin@prioritycareshs.com | prioritycareshs.com
NHTD and TBI waiver services in Queens and all five boroughs of New York City.