What is an individual budget?
It is the amount of money a Self-Determination Program participant has available to purchase needed services and supports.
How does the individual budget amount get determined? Can my budget be adjusted?
The individual budget is determined by the individual program planning team, and is based upon the amount of purchase of service funds used by the individual in the most recent 12-months. This amount can be adjusted, up or down, if the individual program planning team determines that the individual’s needs, circumstances, or resources have changed. Additionally, the individual program planning team may adjust the budget to support any prior needs or resources that were not addressed in the individual program plan.
What if there is disagreement amongst the planning team regarding an increase in the individual budget?
A participant enrolled in the Self-Determination Program will have the same rights established under the traditional service model (e.g. appeals, fair hearing, and all other rights associated with the individual program plan process).
How does the individual budget amount get determined for an individual, who is either new to the regional center, or does not have a 12-month history of purchase of service costs?
For these individuals, the individual budget amount is determined by the individual program planning team by identifying the services and supports needed by the individual and available resources. The regional center will calculate the cost of providing services and supports by using the average cost paid by the regional center for each service or support unless the regional center determines that the consumer has a unique need that requires a higher or lower cost.
Will enrolling in the Self-Determination Program decrease an individual’s budget for services and supports?
No, your budget amount is the same as it would be if you were obtaining services through your regional center.
What is the difference between the individual budget and the spending plan?
The individual budget is the amount of money an SDP participant has available to purchase needed services and supports. The spending plan is how that money will be used to purchase services and supports.
Is there a cap on the budget? An amount that cannot be exceeded?
An individual’s budget amount cannot exceed the amount that services would have cost if the individual was not in the SDP. SDP is required to be a "cost-neutral" program.