Caregiver Support Services application process

Caregiver Support Services application process

The Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services, Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services would like to announce that Caregiver Support Services funds are now available for the state fiscal year 2020.

The purpose of Caregiver Support Services is to provide short-term relief for the primary caregiver to the extent state funds are available during fiscal year 2020 (i.e., July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020). Caregiver Support Services may be approved and accessed to:

• an individual that meets the state definition of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities level of care and
• the primary caregiver selects an eligible provider.
• Please note: Caregiver Support Services will not be available to the primary caregiver if the individual is receiving or begins to receive similar services from any other State or Medicaid funded program.

The Caregiver Support Services is 100% state funded and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Previous applications during fiscal year 2019 for Caregiver Support Services do not carry over to fiscal year 2020. A new application must be completed for each fiscal year’s Caregiver Support Services funds (July 1 through June 30). Any pending applications for where voided the last week of June and a new application must be submitted.

Individuals that received services during the previous fiscal year are not guaranteed continued services and will be required to complete the application process.

The initial Caregiver Support Services budgets will be approved in the amount of $1,000 for each eligible individual regardless of the number of eligible individuals residing in the residence.  Upon exhaustion of funding, subsequent budgets may be requested by the individual’s Caregiver Support Services provider and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Any new budget is dependent upon available funds.

Applications may be made online, by mail or in-person. To apply online please click here or call your local BDDS district office and request an application be mailed to you. You may also apply in-person at your local BDDS district office. A FAQ is also available on the BDDS webpage.