Your complete guide to South Carolina's CLTC program, Community Choices Waiver, disability waivers, and special needs services. Our Upstate team helps families in Anderson, Greenville, Pickens & Oconee navigate every step.
A Medicaid-funded program that helps eligible South Carolinians receive home and community-based services — allowing them to live safely at home instead of a nursing facility.
"Helping South Carolinians live with dignity in the comfort of their own home."
South Carolina Department of Health & Human Services — CLTC Division
The Community Long Term Care (CLTC) program is a division of the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS). It administers Medicaid home and community-based service (HCBS) waiver programs that provide an alternative to nursing home care for eligible South Carolinians.
Through programs like the Community Choices Waiver, CLTC connects frail elderly adults and people with physical disabilities to in-home services — including personal care, attendant services, respite care, home modifications, meal preparation, and more.
Our team at Upstate HealthCare Services is a licensed CLTC provider serving Anderson, Greenville, Pickens, and Oconee counties. We guide families through the entire process and provide compassionate private in-home care to supplement CLTC services.
Important: The CLTC program is administered by SCDHHS and managed by the state. This site is an independent informational resource provided by Upstate HealthCare Services (uhssc.com). Official information is at scdhhs.gov.
To receive services through the Community Choices Waiver or other CLTC programs, applicants must meet medical, financial, and residential requirements.
Our local Upstate team can help you determine your eligibility and guide you through the process. No obligation.
Assistance with bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, and mobility to support daily independence.
Temporary relief for family caregivers, giving them time to rest while loved ones receive quality care.
Environmental changes like grab bars, ramps, and safety adaptations to help people remain safely at home.
Assistance with planning and preparing nutritious meals, and coordination of home-delivered meals when needed.
Medication management, glucose monitoring, wound care, and other skilled nursing tasks performed by trained staff.
Safe transportation to medical appointments and activities, plus companionship to reduce isolation.
Additional CLTC services may include Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS), adult day health care, assistive technology, and more — depending on your waiver program.
South Carolina currently operates eight Medicaid Home and Community-Based Service (HCBS) waivers. Five are operated by CLTC/SCDHHS; three are operated by the SC Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (BHDD-OIDD).
The primary waiver for frail elderly adults (65+) and adults ages 21–64 with physical disabilities. Covers personal care, respite, home modifications, meals, transportation, and more.
Who: Medicaid members 65+ (frail elderly) or ages 21–64 with physical disabilities meeting nursing facility level of care.
Apply: Call CLTC Centralized Intake (888) 971-1637 or apply online.
For frail elderly (65+) and adults ages 21–64 who require mechanical ventilation and meet nursing facility level of care. Provides services enabling ventilator-dependent individuals to live at home.
Who: Medicaid members requiring mechanical ventilation.
Apply: Call CLTC Centralized Intake (888) 971-1637.
For Medicaid members of any age with a diagnosis of HIV or AIDS who are at risk of hospitalization. Provides home and community-based services to prevent institutionalization.
Who: Medicaid members of any age with HIV/AIDS diagnosis at risk of hospitalization.
Apply: Call CLTC Centralized Intake (888) 971-1637.
For children up to age 21 with chronic physical or health conditions expected to last at least one year, who meet a hospital level of care and rely on skilled nursing and specialist care.
Who: Children up to 21 with complex chronic physical/health conditions meeting hospital level of care.
Apply: Call CLTC Centralized Intake (888) 971-1637 or apply online.
A coordinated care program for Medicaid members that integrates physical health, behavioral health, and long-term services and supports to provide a comprehensive, person-centered approach.
Who: Eligible Healthy Connections Medicaid members.
Apply: Contact SCDHHS for enrollment information.
For Medicaid members of any age with a diagnosis of intellectual disability or related disability. Provides residential habilitation, day activity, employment services, personal care, and more — excluding medical services.
Who: Any age with intellectual/related disability meeting ICF-IID level of care.
Apply: Call BHDD-OIDD (800) 289-7012.
For Medicaid members of any age with a diagnosis of traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or similar disability who meet nursing facility or ICF-IID level of care. Includes extensive rehabilitation and community services.
Who: Any age with TBI, spinal cord injury, or similar disability.
Apply: Call BHDD-OIDD (800) 289-7012.
Serves people with intellectual disability or related disabilities whose waiver service needs stay within an individual cost limit. Offers opportunities for self-direction of certain services. Includes day activity, employment services, and in-home support.
Who: Any age with intellectual/related disability meeting ICF-IID level of care within cost limits.
Apply: Call BHDD-OIDD (800) 289-7012. Note: Waiting lists may apply.
Our team at Upstate HealthCare Services can help you understand which program you may qualify for and connect you with the right state contacts. We specialize in CLTC-operated programs and serve families in the Upstate of SC.
South Carolina has a range of programs, services, and resources for individuals with disabilities and special needs — beyond the CLTC program. Here's a comprehensive overview.
Effective April 28, 2025, Act No. 3 of 2025 established the new South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (BHDD), which now includes the Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (OIDD), formerly known as DDSN. This agency operates three HCBS waivers (ID/RD, HASCI, and Community Supports) and provides regional support services statewide.
BHDD-OIDD operates five regional centers across South Carolina where individuals with disabilities live and receive care from dedicated staff, along with community-based programs that support independence.
Visit BHDD-OIDD Website →CLTC Centralized IntakeFor Community Choices, HIV/AIDS, Vent, and MCC Waivers
(888) 971-1637 | Apply online at scdhhs.gov
BHDD-OIDD (Formerly DDSN)For ID/RD, HASCI, and Community Supports Waivers
(800) 289-7012
Healthy Connections Member Help CenterFor Medicaid eligibility and general questions
(888) 549-0820
Upstate HealthCare Services (Local Help)Serving Anderson, Greenville, Pickens & Oconee
(864) 209-8245
From intellectual disabilities to brain injuries to children with complex medical needs — here's an overview of SC's key disability programs.
Supports for individuals with intellectual disabilities or related conditions, including residential habilitation, employment services, day activities, community supports, and self-directed care. Operated by BHDD-OIDD through the ID/RD and Community Supports waivers.
📞 BHDD-OIDD: (800) 289-7012
The HASCI Waiver serves those with traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or similar physical disabilities, providing attendant care, physical/occupational/speech therapy, environmental modifications, peer guidance, and personal emergency response systems.
📞 BHDD-OIDD: (800) 289-7012
The Medically Complex Children's Waiver serves children up to 21 with chronic conditions needing hospital-level care. South Carolina also has a TEFRA program and additional waivers based only on the child's income — not parental income — for children with any disability type.
📞 CLTC Intake: (888) 971-1637
Adults ages 21–64 with physical disabilities may qualify for the Community Choices Waiver, providing personal care, respite, home modifications, assistive technology, and community inclusion services — as an alternative to nursing facility placement.
📞 CLTC Intake: (888) 971-1637
Several SC waivers fund employment-related services including career preparation, job coaching, community integration, and supported employment. SC Vocational Rehabilitation (SCVR) also provides employment services, training, and job placement for eligible individuals.
📞 SC Vocational Rehab: (803) 896-6500
South Carolina's Working Disabled program allows individuals who are totally and permanently disabled but employed to access full Medicaid benefits, with family income up to 250% of the Federal Poverty Level. Created under Section 4733 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997.
📞 Healthy Connections: (888) 549-0820
The Mechanical Ventilator Dependent (Vent) Waiver specifically supports adults who require mechanical ventilation and meet nursing facility level of care, enabling them to live safely at home with coordinated medical and personal care supports.
📞 CLTC Intake: (888) 971-1637
South Carolina's HIV/AIDS Waiver provides home and community-based services for Medicaid members of any age diagnosed with HIV or AIDS who are at risk of hospitalization, helping them manage their condition at home with appropriate supports.
📞 CLTC Intake: (888) 971-1637
Multiple SC waivers fund assistive technology assessments, adaptive equipment, environmental modifications (ramps, grab bars, widened doorways), private vehicle modifications, and Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) to promote independence.
📞 CLTC or BHDD-OIDD depending on waiver
South Carolina's disability waivers can have significant waiting lists. As of recent data, there are 33,559+ people with developmental disabilities and 333+ with TBI on waiting lists. Medicaid members on waiting lists may still access traditional "State Plan" services including medical, dental, vision, behavioral health, and durable medical equipment while they wait. We encourage families to apply as early as possible and to call our local team for private in-home care options while waiting for waiver approval.
The application process can feel overwhelming, but our team is here to guide you. Here's what to expect step by step.
Call the CLTC Centralized Intake at (888) 971-1637, submit an online referral at scdhhs.gov, or call our local Upstate team at (864) 209-8245 for guidance on which program fits your situation.
A CLTC assessor will schedule a visit to evaluate the applicant's medical needs and daily functioning to determine whether they meet nursing facility level of care.
SCDHHS reviews the applicant's financial situation and determines eligibility for Healthy Connections Medicaid. Apply at scdhhs.gov or through SC Thrive if you need assistance.
If approved, a care coordinator works with you and your family to develop a plan tailored to your needs, selecting approved services and providers.
Approved providers — like Upstate HealthCare Services — begin delivering care according to your plan. We also offer private pay options for immediate needs while the application is processed.
Upstate HealthCare Services provides CLTC navigation support and compassionate in-home care across four Upstate counties.
Anderson County & surrounding communities
Greenville County & metro area
Pickens County including Easley & Clemson areas
Oconee County & Blue Ridge foothills
Whether you're just starting to explore CLTC options or need immediate in-home care support, our Upstate team is here for you. Call us today — no obligation.