EW Waiver vs. CADI Waiver: Which Is Right for Your Loved One?

When families start researching how to pay for assisted living in Minnesota, two programs come up repeatedly: the Elderly Waiver (EW) and the CADI Waiver. Both are Medicaid waiver programs that can fund care in a licensed assisted living setting — but they serve different populations and work slightly differently.

Here’s a side-by-side breakdown to help you understand which one applies.

The Quick Answer

	Elderly Waiver (EW)	CADI Waiver
Who it serves	Adults 65 and older	Adults 18–64 with physical disabilities
Age requirement	Must be 65+	Must be 18–64
Disability requirement	No specific disability required	Must have a physical disability
Level of care	Nursing facility level	Nursing facility level
Medicaid required	Yes	Yes
Managed by	MCO or county	MCO or county

The Elderly Waiver (EW)

The Elderly Waiver is designed for adults 65 and older who need nursing facility level care but want to live in a community setting. It’s one of Minnesota’s largest waiver programs.

Who qualifies?

• Age 65 or older
• Enrolled in Minnesota Medical Assistance (Medicaid)
• Meets nursing facility level of care (assessed through a functional assessment)
• Not currently residing in a nursing facility (or choosing to transition out)

There’s no specific disability requirement — the main factor is age and functional need.

What does it cover?

The EW Waiver can fund personal care, homemaker services, home health, adult day services, and residential supports in a licensed assisted living setting. Room costs are covered separately through Housing Support (GRH), approximately $1,187/month.

Key things to know

• The EW waiver is managed by Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) — residents enroll in an MCO such as Medica, UCare, or Blue Plus
• An MCO care coordinator manages the care plan and authorizes services
• There is typically no waitlist for the EW Waiver (unlike CADI)

The CADI Waiver

The CADI (Community Access for Disability Inclusion) Waiver serves adults with physical disabilities, ages 18–64. It was designed to provide an alternative to nursing facility placement for working-age adults with significant physical care needs.

Who qualifies?

• Ages 18–64
• Has a physical disability (mobility limitations, neurological conditions, TBI, spinal cord injury, MS, ALS, and similar)
• Enrolled in Minnesota Medical Assistance
• Meets nursing facility level of care

What does it cover?

The CADI Waiver covers a similar range of services to the EW Waiver — personal care, residential supports, assistive technology, environmental modifications, and more. Like the EW Waiver, room costs in assisted living are covered through Housing Support.

Key things to know

• The CADI Waiver has historically had a waitlist — applying early matters
• Once enrolled, a county case manager or MCO care coordinator manages the care plan
• Applicants on the waitlist may qualify for Alternative Care (AC) services in the interim

What If Someone Turns 65 While on CADI?

This is a common question. When a CADI Waiver recipient turns 65, they typically transition to the Elderly Waiver. The transition should be planned in advance with the case manager to avoid any gap in services.

What About the DD Waiver?

There’s a third major waiver — the Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waiver — for adults with developmental disabilities. The DD Waiver serves a different population and has its own eligibility criteria. Read our DD Waiver guide here.

Which Waiver Should You Apply For?

The answer depends almost entirely on age and diagnosis:

• If your loved one is 65 or older → Elderly Waiver (EW)
• If your loved one is 18–64 with a physical disability → CADI Waiver
• If your loved one has a developmental disability → DD Waiver

In some cases, a person might qualify for more than one waiver — a case manager can help determine which is the most appropriate given the individual’s full picture.

How to Get Started

Regardless of which waiver applies, the process starts the same way:

1. Contact your county’s Social Services or Senior Linkage Line (for EW) or Disability Services (for CADI/DD)
2. Request a functional assessment to determine level-of-care eligibility
3. Apply for Minnesota Medical Assistance if not already enrolled
4. Work with the assigned case manager to choose a provider and develop a care plan

The earlier you start this process, the better — especially for CADI, where waitlists can extend the timeline.

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WeDoCare in Bloomington, MN accepts both EW and CADI Waiver residents. We work with MCOs and county case managers across Hennepin County and surrounding areas. Questions about a specific situation? Contact us or call (952) 600-2780.