Family Reimbursement Grant (New York)

Family Reimbursement Grant (New York) is sponsored by New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) / Center for Disability Services. This grant is funded by OPWDD to alleviate the financial burden and open doors to goods and services, recreation, and respite opportunities that would otherwise be unaffordable to families of people with developmental disabilities, including those with autism.

Family Reimbursement Grant Program | Center for Disability Services New York Family Reimbursement Grant Program The Family Reimbursement Grant is a NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) funded program that financially assists families and provides reimbursement funding for goods and services, recreation opportunities and respite not otherwise funded through other sources or affordable to care for a family member with a developmental disability.

Families are reimbursed for expenses they have paid out of pocket. Requests must be directly related to the needs of an individual with an intellectual or developmental disability. What is OPWDD Family Reimbursement Grant Program?

The Family Reimbursement Grant is an OPWDD funded program that financially assists families to care for a family member with a developmental disability. Families are reimbursed for expenses they have paid out of pocket. Requests must be directly related to the needs of an individual with an intellectual or developmental disability.

Who is eligible to apply for the Family Reimbursement Grant? The grant serves people with developmental disabilities of all ages who live with a family member (biological, adoptive or extended) and have OPWDD eligibility. Individuals living alone or in foster care are not eligible.

We serve individuals in the following counties: Albany, Fulton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren, and Washington, Columbia, Greene, Ulster and Dutchess counties. What types of items can be reimbursed? Allowable and non-allowable items.

How do I apply for the Family Reimbursement Grant? All applicants must complete and submit an application. Families and/or Care Manager can complete the application but the caregiver must sign it.

Who reviews Family Reimbursement Grant applications? CFDS has a Family Reimbursement Committee who reviews applications.

The committee can only approve applications for reimbursements through FSS where the application establishes that the: Individual has established eligibility for OPWDD services; Individual/family meets FSS eligibility criteria; Reimbursement request cannot be funded by any other funding mechanism; Reimbursement request does not exceed contractual limits and/or individual spending cap; Requested item or service: Is related to the individual’s intellectual or developmental disability; Supports a quality of life comparable, to the extent practicable, to that of similarly situated families without a family member having a developmental disability; Maximizes the potential of the individual; and Supports the individual to remain at home with their family.

A final review is completed by OPWDD. If my application is approved, how much money can I expect to be awarded? OPWDD has set the following limit on Reimbursement: A maximum of $3,000 can be reimbursed per year per person per year.

The funds must be spent between January 1st and December 31st for the year you are awarded funds. If I am awarded money for Respite, can the Center for Disability Services provide the Respite Worker? Unfortunately, no, you must hire and make all arrangements for respite care yourself.

Can the Respite Worker that I use be a family member? Yes, as long as the family member does not live in the same household as the individual receiving services. Parents of individuals are also not allowed to be reimbursed for providing Respite care.

Can I apply for reimbursement from more than one Agency? No. OPWDD requests that families utilize ONE agency for Family Reimbursement per Calendar Year. How often should I submit receipts or respite logs?

You can submit both receipts or Respite Verification Forms monthly or less frequently if you would like. All receipts and Respite Verification forms must be received by December 31st of the award year. All funds awarded must be spent during the award year.

What if the purchase is expensive and we are unable to pre-purchase? The family or the Care Manager should include this information on the application and have a conversation with the Program Director to discuss options. What happens if I am awarded money and decide not to use it?

Please let the Program Director of the program aware as soon as possible about any changes so that funds can be reallocated. Where can I find more information on FSS? OPWDD Family Support Reimbursement.

Allowable and non-allowable items Family Reimbursement Application Respite Verification Form To learn more or for questions, please contact our Family Reimbursement Grant Program Director: Director of Outreach and Community Supports Telephone: 518-738-0020 ext. 3780 Email: s_williams@cfdsny. org Get Started With Enrollment We strive to make the process as easy as possible.

The People Services Department provides information about the Center and its services to the community for those who need guidance with their loved one’s care.