Federal funding for people with disabilities in the U.S. is undergoing major changes, including deep cuts to Medicaid, housing, food assistance, and education programs.

These shifts could significantly reduce access to essential services and protections.

Here’s a breakdown of the most critical developments:

🏥 Medicaid Cuts and Service Reductions

• Over $715 billion in proposed Medicaid cuts are targeting home and community-based services (HCBS), which help people with disabilities live independently.
• New provider tax limits make it harder for states to fund optional services like California’s Regional Centers and IHSS programs.
• A new $6.8 billion HCBS waiver was introduced, but details remain unclear.

🏠 Housing and Food Assistance Slashed

• 43% cuts to HUD’s Section 8 program could put millions of disabled households at risk of homelessness.
• 30% cuts to SNAP (food stamps) may lead to food insecurity for over 4 million non-elderly disabled adults.

🧑‍🏫 Education and Civil Rights Protections Weakened

• The Department of Education (ED) is being dismantled, with 50% of staff eliminated and 7 of 12 Office for Civil Rights (OCR) offices closed.
• Oversight of IDEA (special education law) may shift to Health and Human Services, which has also seen 20% workforce cuts, raising concerns about capacity and stigma.
• A federal judge ordered ED to reinstate 260 OCR employees, but enforcement and guidance remain weakened.

🧑‍💼 Federal Workforce and Disability Accommodations

• Workplace accommodations for disabled federal employees have been canceled.
• Sign language interpretation in official communications has been discontinued.
• Disability-related resources have been removed from federal websites.

📉 Impact on Families and Communities

• Families face longer waitlists for services, staffing shortages, and privatization of care providers.
• Proposed budget changes consolidate IDEA funding, potentially reducing flexibility for early childhood and special education programs.