Pa. Removes Lifetime Limits on Assistive Technology for People with Disabilities
Good news for Pennsylvanians enrolled in the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) waivers: Starting January 1, 2026, there is no longer a lifetime limit on Assistive Technology.
Previously, people enrolled in the Consolidated, Community Living, or Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS) waivers faced a $10,000 lifetime limit on Assistive Technology. Once you reached that limit, you could not get additional funding for devices or equipment—even if your needs changed over time. That lifetime limit is now gone.
What Has Changed
The new rules are slightly different depending on which waiver you are enrolled in:
- Consolidated Waiver: There is now a $3,000 per year limit on Assistive Technology instead of a $10,000 lifetime limit. If you need more than $3,000 in a year, you can request additional funding through ODP's variance process.
- Community Living and P/FDS Waivers: The lifetime limit has been removed. Assistive Technology is now included in your overall annual service limit.
| Consolidated Waiver | Community Living and P/FDS Waivers |
|---|---|
| The $10,000 lifetime limit on Assistive Technology is replaced with a $3,000 annual limit. | There is no longer a general limit on Assistive Technology. Generators still have a $5,000 lifetime limit. |
| If you need more than $3,000 in Assistive Technology in a year, you can request additional funding through the variance process. | Assistive Technology is included in your overall annual waiver service limit: $47,000 for P/FDS Waiver and $97,000 for Community Living Waiver. |
| Generators still have a $5,000 lifetime limit. This amount is separate from the $3,000 annual limit. | |
| Source: Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Developmental Programs | |
Why This Matters
Assistive Technology includes devices, equipment, and apps that help people with disabilities live more independently and exercise choice and control over their lives. Assistive Technology can include devices that help people complete daily activities like communicating, controlling appliances, and getting dressed.
The old lifetime limit meant that once you used up your $10,000, you were stuck—even if you needed new or updated technology years later. The new annual limits give people ongoing access to the assistive technology they need as their circumstances change.
The following devices and services related to assistive technology are available through Pennsylvania's ODP waivers:
- Electronic devices (with one replacement allowed every 5 years)
- Modified or customized equipment
- Repairs, warranties, and supplies
- Software
- Evaluations to assess your assistive technology needs
Note: Generators still have a separate $5,000 lifetime limit and are only available for your primary residence. This limit cannot be raised through the variance process.
Learn More
ODP held a webinar on December 15, 2025 explaining this update and other changes to the waivers effective January 1, 2026. The recorded webinar and Powerpoint Slides are available on the Training Resource Center of the MyODP Website.
You can also view the full Record of Changes for more details. The full Waiver amendments for changes effective January 1, 2026 can be viewed at the following links:
