Eligibility

Linn County Developmental Disability Program (CDDP) is responsible for determining eligibility for residents of Linn County. An Eligibility Specialist will assist the individual through the eligibility process and help obtain the necessary information and documentation that will be needed to determine eligibility. Once the Eligibility Specialist has collected all the necessary information, they will review it and make a determination.

Eligibility for infants and preschoolers must meet the requirements of having a developmental disability with documentation including a physician's statement of a condition or syndrome indicating significant impairments in daily living skills in two or more areas or standardized testing indicating significant impairments in daily living skills in two or more areas.

To be eligible as an individual with an intellectual disability a pattern of IQ scores under 75 with significant impairments in daily living skills that are directly related to the individuals intellectual functioning are considered in determining eligibility. This diagnosis must be determined to be in place by the individuals 18th birthday.

To be eligible as an individual with a developmental disability other than an intellectual disability a medical or clinical diagnosis of a developmental disability is needed along with an assessment of the individuals daily living skills. A diagnosed developmental disability with significant impairments in daily living skills that are directly related to the diagnosis is considered in determining eligibility for other developmental disabilities. This diagnosis must be determined to be in place by the individuals 22nd birthday.

All children's eligibility is considered 'provisional', meaning that any time there is new information their eligibility must be reviewed to determine if they continue to qualify. A child's eligibility must be reviewed by their 6th birthday and again when they become an adult. For school age children with an intellectual disability this means a redetermination of their eligibility must be completed by their 18th birthday. For school age children with other developmental disabilities eligibility must be re-determined by their 22nd birthday.

Information that is needed to determine eligibility may be found in psychological evaluations, medical examinations, mental health and adaptive behavior assessments. These records can be obtained from schools, hospitals, clinics, institutions, medical doctors, therapists or others who may have information about the individual's disability. The Eligibility Specialist will assist in gathering these documents.

Anyone can make a referral to a Community Developmental Disabilities Program with the permission of the individual or his or her legal representative.

Applications are available by contacting the local office or electronically below. If you need assistance in completing the application please call to schedule an appointment..