The Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services, Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS) has announced that Caregiver Support Services funds will be available for fiscal year 2017 beginning July 1, 2016.

Caregiver Support Services provide short-term relief for the primary caregiver; they may be approved for an individual that meets the state definition of intellectual and developmental disabilities level of care and for whom the primary caregiver selects an eligible provider. CSS are not 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 funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Previous CSS applications during fiscal year 2016 do not carry over to fiscal year 2017. A new application must be completed for each fiscal year’s CSS funds (July 1 through June 30). Any pending CSS applications will be voided the last week of June, and a new application must be submitted on or after July 1. Individuals who received services during the previous fiscal year are not guaranteed continued services and must complete the application process on or after July 1, 2016.

Initial CSS budgets will be approved for $500 for each eligible individual regardless of the number of eligible individuals residing in the residence. When initial funding is spent, the recipient’s CSS provider can request addition funding. Each new request is reviewed individually and is dependent on available funds.

You can apply online at this DDRS webpage. You also can call a BDDS district office to have an application sent to you, or you can apply in person at a BDDS district office.

Interested applicants are encouraged to contact your county’s BDDS district office for more details. You can find the list of district offices here.