Overview
Home and Community Services (HCS) is a division within Washington State DSHS responsible for coordinating long-term care services for adults with disabilities and older adults who need Medicaid funding to pay for support. Where DDA’s case managers focus specifically on individuals with developmental disabilities, HCS case managers serve a broader population, adults whose physical disabilities, aging-related needs, or other disabling conditions require in-home care, personal assistance, or community-based support to remain living independently outside of a nursing facility or institution.
If your family member has a physical disability, a complex medical condition, or is aging with a disability, HCS is often the right DSHS entry point for long-term care planning, even if DDA is not involved.
Who It’s For
Adults with disabilities or older adults (typically age 18 and older) who need Medicaid-funded long-term care services and support to remain in their home or community setting. HCS serves people who are not DDA-eligible but whose disability or health condition creates a need for ongoing personal care, in-home support, or community-based services.
HCS is also the office that determines Medicaid eligibility for long-term care services — so even if you’re not sure whether your family member qualifies, HCS is a strong starting point for the conversation.
What They Offer
HCS case managers work directly with individuals and families to assess needs, develop a care plan, and authorize and monitor services. Services coordinated through HCS may include:
- Personal Care (Community First Choice / Medicaid Personal Care) — Assistance with daily living activities such as bathing, grooming, dressing, meal preparation, and mobility
- In-Home Care — State-funded caregiver support allowing individuals to remain at home rather than in a facility
- Adult Family Home and Assisted Living Placement — Support transitioning to or monitoring care in a licensed residential setting
- Care Planning and Monitoring — Ongoing coordination to ensure the care plan reflects the individual’s current needs and goals
- Transition Support — Help moving from a nursing facility or hospital back into the community (including one-time transition assistance funding)
- SSI Facilitation — Assistance applying for SSI/SSDI for eligible clients, coordinating between DSHS and the Social Security Administration
- Referrals to Community Resources — Connecting individuals and families to additional services including housing, food assistance, and community programs
Eligibility
HCS services require both financial and functional eligibility:
- Financial: Must qualify for Medicaid (Apple Health) or meet income/resource standards for state-funded programs
- Functional: Must have a need for assistance with activities of daily living, as determined through a CARE assessment
Adults with disabilities ages 18–59 are served through HCS. Adults 60 and older are typically served through the Area Agency on Aging (AAA), though HCS and AAA coordinate closely and often share clients.
How to Get Started
- Contact the Kennewick HCS office directly to request an assessment or ask about eligibility
- Apply for Apple Health (Medicaid) at WashingtonConnection.org or by calling 1-877-501-2233 if not already enrolled
- If eligible, an HCS social worker will schedule a CARE assessment — either in person or by phone — to evaluate functional needs
- Based on the assessment, a care plan will be developed and services authorized
Local HCS Office — Kennewick
DSHS Home & Community Services — Kennewick
Statewide Phone: 1-877-501-2233
DSHS HCS Overview | HCS Eligibility by County | Washington Connection — Apply Online
