Self-Direction

OPWDD Fiscal Intermediaries: What They Do and How to Choose One

Every family that self-directs in New York works with a Fiscal Intermediary. It handles the money and the employment paperwork, so you can focus on the person and the plan.

Last reviewed October 8, 2026

What a Fiscal Intermediary is

A Fiscal Intermediary, usually shortened to FI, is an organization approved by OPWDD to handle the financial and employer side of Self-Direction. If you hire your own staff or buy goods and services with a self-direction budget, the money flows through your FI.

What the FI does

Acts as employer of record for staff you hire yourself. You are the supervising and managing employer: you choose, train, schedule, and supervise. The FI is the employer on paper.
Handles hiring compliance: employment eligibility, required background checks, and tracking the OPWDD trainings staff must complete.
Runs payroll: timesheets, paychecks, and tax withholding.
Pays approved bills for goods and services in your budget.
Tracks your budget and reports how much has been spent.
Handles Medicaid billing and compliance records.

You and the FI sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that spells out your authority to hire, train, supervise, and end the employment of your staff.

What the FI doesn't do

The FI doesn't pick your staff, design your budget, or write your Life Plan. Those belong to you, your Support Broker, and your Care Manager. See who does what in Self-Direction for a side-by-side comparison.

How to choose an FI

Several FIs serve the Capital Region, and you can choose. Ask each one:

How long does it usually take to clear a new staff member to start work?
How do staff submit time, and how often are they paid?
How can we see our budget balance, and how often is it updated?
Who is our day-to-day contact, and how fast do they respond?
What happens when a timesheet or invoice is rejected?
What trainings do our staff need, and do you provide or schedule them?

Responsiveness matters more than anything else on that list. When a new staff member is waiting to start or a paycheck is late, you need someone who picks up the phone.

Can you change your FI?

Yes. If the fit isn't right, talk with your Support Broker and Care Manager about switching. Plan the change carefully so payroll for your staff isn't interrupted.

Our plans

Spectrum Arch is starting with Support Brokerage. In the future, we plan to seek OPWDD approval as a Fiscal Intermediary, so families can work with one local partner for both.

Sources: OPWDD, Self-Direction Fiscal Intermediary Checklist; OPWDD, Memorandum of Understanding for FI Services; OPWDD, Self-Direction.

Looking for a Support Broker in the Capital Region?

Spectrum Arch is in the process of offering Support Brokerage across Saratoga, Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer and the surrounding counties. Join the waitlist and we will contact you as soon as we can begin.