Those enrolled in the California Self-Determination Program (SDP) have more control over the disability services and supports they receive. But that raises an important question: whose job is it to pay for all of that? SDP payment procedures are something that your individual program plan team and independent facilitator, if you have one, can help you navigate. Below are the basics that you need to know as you start finding services that interest you.
How SDP Payment Works: Your Budget
Handling SDP payments for services and staff isn’t your job as a participant. But what is your job is to understand your individual budget.
Your budget contains all of the money that you can use to cover the cost of support options that you choose as part of your person-centered plan. Not everyone gets the same budget, though. Yours will be determined by your individual program planning team.
The amount you receive is based on how much money your Regional Center spent funding the services you received in the past 12 months. Your budget isn’t locked in place; it can increase or decrease depending on what’s best for your needs.
Who makes SDP payments?
All participants are required to have a financial management service (FMS). Your selected FMS provider is who is in charge of managing and sending our SDP payments for services.
An FMS will also take care of paying employees you hire and any taxes that you owe to your staff, among other things. Your financial management service does cost money, but it gets paid for with funds from your individual budget. You get to choose the FMS that makes the most sense for you.
What Do SDP Payments Cover?
There are tons of specific services that an SDP payment can cover, but no matter what, they must be approved by the federal government. Just like other support funded by Medicaid or Medicare, SDP services have to tick some important boxes to show that they’re effective.
California’s Department of Developmental Services (DDS) has a complete list of eligible services available online for easy access. But navigating all of the details about what is and isn’t allowed can still be tricky.
An independent facilitator can help you plan and locate services that will help you pursue your goals and fit into your budget. (And yes, an independent facilitator's salary is also covered by your budget!)
Get Help Utilizing Your Budget Efficiently
NeuroNav’s team of independent facilitators is here to make creating and following your SDP plan as simple as possible. We’ll walk you through each step of the process, from outlining your needs to making the support you deserve a reality.
Whether you’re already in the SDP or are looking to get started, NeuroNav can guide you toward success. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more.
You can also find more information on SDP payment procedures and other important things to know at our Self-Determination Hub.
