There are 4 regions of DDS in Massachusetts. Each one has a Regional Eligibility Team, who will be in charge of your application.
To apply for DDS services:
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Call your nearest DDS Office. Use this DDS Area Locator to find one near you. (Click on the underlined part to open this web page in a new window.)
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Tell them you want to apply for DDS services, and ask them which application to use.
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Click the links at the bottom of the page to download a PDF copy of the application you need.
What to expect:
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You will get a call from a Regional Eligibility Team member.
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They will schedule a meeting with you to go over your application.
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They will assign a coordinator to help you with your services.
For more information, call your local DDS office. (Click on the underlined part to open the website in a new tab on your screen.)
To be eligible for DDS, a person has to be a Massachusetts resident and have a documented Developmental Disability
This is any condition that limits someone's ability to take care of themselves, starts when they are young and will probably affect them for their whole life.
It can be physical (like being blind) or intellectual. Intellectual or cognitive refers to how someone's mind works. If you have trouble thinking, learning and communicating in a typical way, these are cognitive or intellectual limitations.
Many people with Autism Spectrum Disorders fit into this category.
Source: Department of Developmental Services
Developmental Disability: for persons who are five years of age or older, a severe, chronic disability that:
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is attributable to a mental or physical impairment resulting from Intellectual Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Smith-Magenis Syndrome or Prader-Willi Syndrome
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is manifested before the individual attains 22 years of age
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is likely to continue indefinitely
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results in substantial functional limitations
Source: Mass. DDS