Action Required

We are reaching out to you today to explain some changes going on in the Self Direction world and to request you complete the survey and attestation below.

In December 2022, OPWDD provided retroactive rate increases (of 5.4%) to most HCBS Waiver Services, effective April 1, 2022. At that time, Brokerage and Self Hired Staff were missing from this increase.

Thankfully, OPWDD agreed to provide the same percentage (5.4%) increase to Brokerage, Self Hired Com Hab, Respite and SEMP Staff – also effective April 1, 2022.

The choice to provide this retroactive increase to a Participant’s Broker and/or Self Hired Staff is ENTIRELY up to the Participant.

Here are the steps to provide the retroactive raise to the Participant’s Broker:

  1. Complete the Broker Attestation (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/attestationbroker) *If this is not completed, we cannot provide the retroactive raise to the Participant’s Broker– this MUST be completed by the Participant or their designee. Please DO NOT share this link with anyone else
  2. Work with your Broker to sign an updated Broker Agreement (send to review@issny.org)
  3. Work with Broker and Team to update budget to the June 2023 Budget Template (send to review@issny.org) PRIOR TO JULY 24th

Here are the steps to provide the retroactive raise to the Participant’s Self Hired Staff:

  1. Complete the Staff Survey (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/selfhiredstaffsurvey) *If this is not completed, we cannot provide the retroactive raise to the participant’s Self Hired staff – this MUST be completed by the Participant or their designee. Please DO NOT share this link with anyone else
  2. Work with Broker and Team to update budget to the June 2023 Budget Template (send to review@issny.org) PRIOR TO JULY 24th

*Please note: the funding to provide the retroactive raise to the Participant’s Broker and/or Self Hired Staff WILL NOT come from the budget.

Once the updated budget is approved by OPWDD, then the funding WILL come from the budget.*

VERY IMPORTANT: IF YOU ARE CHOOSING TO PROVIDE THIS RETROACTIVE RAISE TO THE PARTICIPANT’S BROKER AND/OR SELF HIRED STAFF, THE BUDGET MUST BE SUBMITTED TO REVIEW@ISSNY.ORG PRIOR TO JULY 24, 2023.

THIS IS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT DEADLINE THAT MUST BE FOLLOWED. OPWDD WILL NOT PROVIDE AN EXTENSION FOR ANY REASON.

THE SOONER THE BUDGET IS RECEIVED BY REVIEW@ISSNY.ORG THE BETTER!

As previously mentioned, there is a new Self Direction Budget Template (dated June 2023).  This version of the Budget includes important updates, such as an additional 4% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) increase applied to the PRA, the updated maximum Support Broker rate, and updated the Housing Subsidies to 2023 HUD guidelines. *Please note the previous budget template (October 2022), included the previously approved 5.4% COLA increase

Please note, as previously mentioned, the choice to provide these retroactive raises, is ENTIRELY up to the Participant. If the Participant, chooses not to implement any retroactive raise for Brokers or Self Hired Staff, there is NO rush to submit the budget on the June 2023 Budget Template to review@issny.org. Whenever there is a requested budget change, it must be done on the June 2023 Budget Template.

If there are any questions, please reach out to the Participant’s Self Direction Coordinator (SDC) and review@issny.org

Thank you!

Mary Abbatiello
Director of Program Services
Independent Support Services