Indiana School-to-Adult Transition Checklist for Disability Services

The transition from school-based services to adult disability benefits in Indiana involves at least five separate agencies, each with its own application, timeline, and eligibility criteria. Miss one step and the gap can take months to close. Here is the chronological checklist — what to do, when to do it, and which agency handles each piece.

Age 14: IEP Transition Planning Begins

Indiana requires transition planning to be incorporated into the Individualized Education Program (IEP) starting no later than the year the student turns 14 (or earlier if appropriate). The transition plan should address post-secondary education, employment, and independent living goals.

At this stage, the family's to-do list:

• Ensure the IEP transition plan includes measurable post-secondary goals
• Discuss vocational interests and community-based work experiences with the IEP team
• Begin documenting the student's functional limitations in specific, clinical terms (this documentation matters for every adult benefits application that follows)

Ages 14–17: BDS Gateway Application

Do not wait until graduation. File the Application for Developmental Disabilities Services (State Form 55068) and the Confirmation of Diagnosis (State Form 54727) through the BDS Gateway portal (bddsgateway.fssa.in.gov) as early as possible. This establishes the individual's place on the Family Supports Waiver waitlist.

The waitlist is chronological — earlier applications mean earlier access to waiver slots. Filing at 14 instead of 18 can mean the difference between receiving services immediately after school exit and waiting years.

Age 17: Financial Restructuring

Before the 18th birthday, the family must ensure the student's personal countable resources are below $2,000. While the student is a minor, parental income and assets are "deemed" to the child for SSI purposes. At 18, only the individual's own resources count.

• Move any savings or custodial accounts above $2,000 into an INvestABLE (ABLE) account
• Do not give excess funds to family members — transfers for less than fair market value trigger Medicaid's 60-month lookback penalty for institutional and waiver eligibility
• Spend down on exempt items: clothing, personal electronics, prepaid rent, home modifications

Age 17.5: Decision-Making Assessment

Before the student turns 18, the family must decide on a legal decision-making arrangement:

• Supported decision-making agreement (no court required, preserves full legal rights) — appropriate when the individual can make decisions with assistance
• Limited guardianship (court petition required) — when specific domains like medical consent or financial management need oversight
• Full guardianship (court petition required) — only when the individual cannot participate meaningfully in any decision-making

If guardianship is the path, the family must use the county probate process. Once the student turns 18, they are a legal adult and the parent's authority does not continue automatically.

Age 17.5–18: SSI Application

Apply for adult SSI within 90 days before the student's 18th birthday. The application requires:

• Form SSA-3368 (Adult Disability Report)
• Form SSA-3373 (Adult Function Report)
• Form SSA-827 (Authorization to Disclose Records)
• All medical, psychological, and educational records documenting the disability

Complete the function report using specific, clinical language about daily limitations. Describe what the individual cannot do independently, not what they can do on their best day.

If the individual cannot manage their own finances, the parent should simultaneously apply to be the Representative Payee using Form SSA-11 at the local Social Security field office.

Age 18: The SSI Age-18 Redetermination

SSA will conduct an age-18 redetermination, evaluating the individual under adult disability criteria (can they engage in substantial gainful activity?) rather than the childhood standard (marked and severe functional limitations). This is a separate process from the initial application — if the individual was receiving childhood SSI, the redetermination happens automatically.

Return the redetermination packet within 30 days. Failure to respond results in procedural cessation of childhood benefits.

If denied, file the appeal within 60 days of receiving the denial notice. To maintain continuous payments during the appeal, request Statutory Benefit Continuation within 10 days of receiving the denial notice.

Ages 18–24: Claim School-Exit Priority

This is the most commonly missed step. Contact the local BDS District Office immediately after graduation or school exit to claim the school-exit priority category for the Family Supports Waiver. This status allows individuals aged 18–24 who have separated from their school setting to bypass the standard chronological waitlist and receive an immediate waiver invitation.

Bring documentation of school separation — diploma, certificate of completion, or written confirmation from the school. Respond to the FSW invitation letter within 30 days or the slot is revoked.

Ongoing: Medicaid and Waiver Coordination

Once SSI is approved, Indiana Medicaid enrollment is automatic under the Section 1634 agreement. But the connection is fragile — any SSI suspension triggers an automated Medicaid review. Maintain awareness of:

• The $2,000 resource limit (monthly bank balance monitoring)
• If transitioning from SSI to DAC benefits, immediately invoke Section 1634(c) protection at the local DFR office
• MED Works enrollment if the individual begins working (income limit: $3,391.50/month in 2026)
• CMCO selection after waiver invitation (five authorized organizations as of August 2026)

For the full transition sequence with every form number, deadline, and agency contact, see our Indiana SSI at 18 & Adult Disability Benefits Guide.

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