There are five Medicaid waiver programs in Texas. Clearly, these programs are valuable tools for social workers and are designed to assist all age groups. These programs are cost effective alternatives to institutional placement. They are considered waivers because the usual eligibility requirements-including household income-are waived. They are often applicable to cases involving a dependent child or adult child with life long disabilities. It is important to note that in the case of children, parental income does not disqualify them from eligibility for these waiver programs as long as the child has a disabling developmental, cognitive or medically complex condition and does not have savings in excess of $2000. Those who qualify for these Medicaid waiver programs automatically will have traditional Medicaid benefits*. While all of the Medicaid waiver programs have limited funding, restricted enrollment and waiting lists**, they still have an important value and can still serve as an important tool for the benefit of many of  the families that we encounter in our work settings.