The state Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services announced Monday it was immediately freezing access to a program that serves Kansans with disabilities because of the state’s budget crunch.

“The action is not taken to cut the budget, but to avoid further overspending,” a news release from the agency said.

SRS will now start a waiting list for the program which provides home- and community-based services for low-income Kansans with disabilities. It is designed to keep people with physical disabilities out of nursing homes. The freeze will be in effect through July 1, 2009.

The action will allow SRS to continue providing services to the approximately 7,000 Kansans currently receiving assistance through the program.

The move does not affect programs aimed at frail, elderly Kansas, people with traumatic brain injuries and children who require technological assistance to manage intensive medical needs.

Lawmakers are facing an approximately $147 million budget shortfall in the current fiscal year and, if nothing is done, a $1 billion shortfall next year.