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COVID-19 Update to Temporary Change to Home and Community-based Services, Texas Home Living Policy for Respite, Community First Choice Personal Assistance Service/Habilitation Services Providers

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Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has lifted the ban on service providers of respite and Community First Choice (CFC) Personal Assistance Service/ Habilitation Services (PAS/HAB). They can now live in the same home as the person receiving Home and Community-based Services (HCS) and Texas Home Living (TxHmL) program services.

This gives access to needed services for people living in their own or their family’s home. A person’s spouse or child, or a teenager’s parent, still cannot be a paid service provider of these services due to guidelines in HCS, TxHmL, and CFC handbooks located under Long-term Care Waiver Programs.

This is a temporary policy change. It is effective March 27, 2020, through April 30, 2022, unless the COVID public health emergency ends sooner. HHSC will provide guidance if anything changes.

Program providers must complete the required background checks for all service providers. They must follow: