Provisional eligibility is a way for children from birth to age 5 to qualify for regional center services under specific conditions.  A child may be provisionally eligible for regional center services if the child has:
  1. A disability that is not solely physical in nature, and;
  2. Significant functional limitations in at least two of the following areas of major life activity, as determined by a regional center and as appropriate to the age of the child:
  • Self-care
  • Receptive and expressive language
  • Learning
  • Mobility
  • Self-direction
History of Provisional Eligibility California’s Early Start program provides early intervention services for children up to age 3.  Data and research showed that children sometimes would lose those critical services when they reached the age of 3 and were not found to be eligible for Lanterman Act services.  In 2021, provisional eligibility was introduced as a way to improve access to needed services for children ages 3 and 4.  In 2023, eligibility was expanded again to include children under the age of 3.  Children who qualify for provisional eligibility now can receive Lanterman Act services until their 5th birthday. Learn more in the Parent Guide to Regional Center Services or ask your regional center for information.
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