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On April 30, 2026, federal lawmakers introduced H.B. 8620—a bill that would amend the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 to establish the first-ever national hotline specifically for caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities.
For the estimated 4.7 million family caregivers supporting loved ones with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), this could be a game-changer.
What the Bill Would Create
H.B. 8620 proposes a dedicated hotline that would provide:
- Crisis support for caregivers experiencing burnout or emergency situations
- Resource navigation to help families find services in their state
- Respite care information and referrals
- Benefits counseling for Medicaid waivers, SSI, and other programs
- Emotional support from trained specialists who understand DD caregiving
Unlike general caregiver hotlines, this would be staffed by people specifically trained in developmental disability services—understanding the difference between DDA waivers, navigating waitlists, and finding appropriate community engagement services.
Why This Matters Now
Caregivers Are in Crisis
The caregiver shortage isn't just about professional staff—it's about family caregivers reaching their breaking point:
- 70% of adults with I/DD live with family caregivers
- 25% of those caregivers are over age 60
- Family caregivers of people with I/DD report higher rates of depression than other caregiver groups
- Washington ranks among the worst states for family caregiver support
When caregivers burn out, people with disabilities lose their primary support system—often ending up in crisis situations or institutional placements that cost taxpayers far more.
Current Resources Are Fragmented
Right now, a Washington family caregiver seeking help might call:
- DSHS Aging and Long-Term Support Administration
- Developmental Disabilities Administration
- Their local Area Agency on Aging
- A crisis line that doesn't understand DD services
- Multiple provider agencies
A single, specialized hotline would cut through this confusion.
How Washington Families Would Benefit
Finding Providers Faster
One of the biggest challenges families face is finding providers who:
- Serve their county
- Accept their waiver type
- Have capacity for new clients
- Offer the specific services needed
A national hotline could direct families to resources like CareCade's provider directory, where they can filter by county, services, waiver acceptance, and current availability—without spending hours on hold with multiple agencies.
Connecting During Transitions
The hotline would be especially valuable during critical transitions:
- Aging out of school services at 21
- Parent caregivers aging and needing to plan for the future
- Waiver changes or Medicaid eligibility shifts
- Moving to a new county and needing new providers
These are the moments when families feel most lost—and when a knowledgeable voice on the other end could make all the difference.
24/7 Crisis Support
Sometimes caregivers need help at 2 AM when their loved one is in crisis and they don't know what to do. A specialized hotline would understand that behavioral health crises in people with I/DD require different responses than general mental health crises.
Current Status of H.B. 8620
The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. It has bipartisan co-sponsors, which increases its chances of moving forward.
What needs to happen:
- Committee hearings and markup
- House floor vote
- Senate companion bill or inclusion in larger legislation
- Presidential signature
Advocacy organizations including The Arc and ANCOR are supporting the legislation.
What You Can Do
Support the Bill
Contact your representative and ask them to co-sponsor H.B. 8620. You can find your representative at house.gov.
A simple message:
"I'm a family caregiver for someone with developmental disabilities in [your city]. Please co-sponsor H.B. 8620 to create a national caregiver hotline for DD families. We need specialized support."
Share Your Story
Legislators respond to real stories. If you're a family caregiver, share your experience:
- Times you couldn't find the help you needed
- How a specialized hotline would have helped
- The daily reality of DD caregiving
Use #DDCaregiverHotline on social media.
Connect with Advocacy Organizations
While We Wait: Resources Available Now
Until a national hotline exists, Washington families can access:
State Resources
- DSHS DDA: 1-800-735-2922
- Washington 211: Dial 211 for local resource referrals
- Aging and Disability Resource Centers: Find your local ADRC
Finding Providers
Use CareCade's provider directory to search for DDA providers by:
- County
- Services offered
- Waiver types accepted
- Languages spoken
- Current client availability
No more calling agency after agency. See your options in one place.
Caregiver Support
The Bigger Picture
H.B. 8620 represents a shift in how we think about supporting people with developmental disabilities. It acknowledges that you can't support the person without supporting the caregiver.
Family caregivers provide billions of dollars in unpaid care annually. A modest investment in a support hotline could prevent burnout, delay or prevent institutionalization, and keep families together.
That's good for families. It's good for people with disabilities. And it's good fiscal policy.
Stay Informed
We'll continue tracking H.B. 8620 and update this post as the legislation progresses. Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed about policy changes affecting Washington DD families.
Related Articles
- Washington's Family Caregiver Crisis: Worst in the Nation
- Respite Care Guide for Family Caregivers
- Finding DDA Providers in Washington State
- DDA Waivers Explained: Basic Plus, IFS, Core, and More
CareCade helps Washington families find DDA providers and stay connected to their loved one's care through our Family Portal. When you can't be there, CareCade keeps you informed.